Abstract:

In the period between 1911 and 1940, a considerable number of baojuan (precious scrolls), the texts with primarily religious contents originally intended for oral presentation, was printed in Shanghai and adjacent areas. Baojuan were often printed with the use of modern print technologies: lithographic and typeset press. The lithographic and typeset publishers specializing in baojuan printing appeared at that time. These publishers also were engaged in collecting and editing the baojuan texts as well as in retailing their print production.

Looking at several cases of baojuan publishing, this paper explores the special features of this print production, especially in connection with the new trends in the work publishers and the ways of consumption of baojuan editions. Due to the paucity of materials, the paper makes use mainly of the information in the original editions of baojuan, which the author studied in collections of baojuan editions in several countries.