Compilation of the "Song Dynasty Edict Collection" Using Electronic Data

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01024
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03030:History of Asia and Africa-related
• Research Institution: Aoyama Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Aoki Atsushi 青山学院大学, 文学部, 教授 (90272492)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 法制史 / 宋代史 / 勅令格式

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The Song Dynasty Special Law Compilation Project, launched in 2021, has identified around 450 legal documents specific to the Northern Song period (960-1127). This suggests a total collection exceeding 10,000 volumes across the entire Song Dynasty, dwarfing even the most renowned historical codes.
This project reveals a significant legal reform under Emperor Shenzong (1067-1085). His philosophy of governance is seen in a vast amount of Special Laws during his reign and the following years of Emperor Zhezong (1086-1100).
These Special Laws were legal documents supplementing the main law code, issued by the emperor to address specific situations. The project's findings hold immense potential to reshape our understanding of the Song Dynasty's governance, economic structure, and societal landscape. Researchers are committed to continuing the project, identifying all remaining Special Laws, and making them accessible through translation and analysis.

Free Research Field

東洋史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、個別的には研究の進んでいた王安石神宗新法に関し、その全体的展望を関連法典の編纂という面から理解を進めた。また、唐令から宋令への変化という課題に対して、条文内容を含んだ具体的な変遷の道筋を明らかにすることができた。