Mao Jin

Mao Jin (毛晉; 1599 – 1659), also known by his courtesy name Ziguang (子晉), was a prominent Chinese publisher, bibliophile, and scholar active during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He is best known for his role as the founder and operator of the Jijingtang (汲古閣), a prestigious publishing house located in Changshu, Jiangsu province.

Mao Jin significantly contributed to the preservation and dissemination of classical Chinese texts. Jijingtang employed meticulous methods of collation, editing, and printing, ensuring the accuracy and quality of its publications. His press became renowned for its finely printed editions of both classical works and contemporary literature. He rescued many rare books from obscurity by reprinting them, thereby safeguarding them for future generations.

Mao Jin's work was driven by a deep commitment to scholarship and a desire to make classical knowledge accessible to a wider audience. He collected a vast library, which served as the foundation for Jijingtang's publishing activities. He and his team compared different editions of texts, corrected errors, and added scholarly annotations.

His publications covered a wide range of subjects, including history, philosophy, literature, and poetry. Some of the most notable works published by Jijingtang include the Seventeen Histories (十七史), a comprehensive collection of dynastic histories, and various collections of poetry and prose.

Mao Jin's legacy extends beyond his publishing activities. He also contributed to the development of printing technology. He advocated for the use of high-quality paper and ink, and he experimented with different typesetting techniques. His efforts helped to improve the overall quality of Chinese printing during his time.

Despite the political turmoil of the late Ming and early Qing periods, Mao Jin successfully maintained his publishing business. He adapted to the new political realities while continuing to promote scholarship and culture. His contributions to Chinese bibliography and publishing have been widely recognized, and he remains an important figure in the history of Chinese printing and book culture.