Xiang Cheng Vol. 09: Incense Types Nine - Ambergris
Ambergris—Original text (compiled and edited), with vernacular translation and annotations.
Vol. 09 · Incense Types Nine - Ambergris
Original Text (Compiled and Edited)
Ye Tinggui's Ming Xiang Pu: Ambergris originates from the country of Dashi. Dragons coil and lie on large rocks in the ocean, exuding saliva while lying down, which floats on the water surface; those who obtain it consider it a supreme treasure. You Huan Ji Wen: Ambergris is the most supreme among incense; each liang costs no less than a hundred thousand, and when blended into incense, it can gather smoke, remaining in continuous threads without dispersing.
Vernacular Translation and Annotation
Ambergris is produced in Dashi and is said to be congealed from dragon saliva floating on the sea, regarded as the supreme among incense. When added to blended incense, it can make the smoke gather without dispersing and retain fragrance for a long time; its price is extremely high, and people of the Song Dynasty considered it a rare treasure.
Annotations
- Dashi: Ancient name for Arabia
- Blended incense: i.e., compounded incense
- Gathering smoke: making incense smoke coalesce
Editorial Notes · Editions and Compilation Notes
Basis of editions:The transmitted text of Xiang Cheng (Incense Companion) traces back to the Ming Chongzhen-era printed edition; extant versions include the Wenyuan Ge Siku Quanshu edition, the Siku Huiyao edition, and various Qing manuscript copies. This compilation uses a commonly circulated collated edition as its base text and cross-checks it against the Siku Quanshu edition.
Collation for this volume:Records the origins of ambergris and its authentication, frequently citing Lingwai Daida, Zhufan Zhi, and Baishi Huibian; evaluations of ambergris shifting from 'fishy' to 'clear' appear in several sources.
Facsimile cross-reference:The 'original text' on this page is a compiled transcription (punctuated and paragraphed according to modern conventions), not a facsimile of the original book; for character-by-character collation, please consult authoritative public-domain editions:Full text of Xiang Cheng (28 volumes) in the Siku Quanshu edition at Wikisource、Facsimile scans of Xiang Cheng (including PDFs of the National Library of China copy and others) at Wikimedia Commons. This site does not fabricate ancient book layouts, and therefore substitutes links to authoritative public-domain facsimiles.