Uncovering a Minor Arcanum: a Sequential Translation of a Manchu-Language Document

Abstract

A significant, ongoing debate in the field of Qing dynasty studies is whether it is imperative or even merely beneficial to analyze evidence from Manchu-language sources, since the conventional tendency has been to focus solely on Chinese-language materials for the majority of research topics. This article argues that many Qing specialists will gain additional or contrasting insight from learning Manchu and seeking out materials that are pertinent to their research. Far from being negligible or superfluous, Manchu-language texts often contain data that is either unavailable in other languages or embody different nuances than translated or simultaneously generated versions in Chinese. To exemplify the value of utilizing Manchu as a tool language, this article examines a memorial to the Kangxi court that was originally composed in Manchu. The memorial describes how regional and local officials responded to the uprising led by Zhu Yigui in 1721 on the island of Taiwan. Through the systematic parsing of the document’s elements and full translation into English, the author demonstrates that reading Manchu-language documents can be expedient and yield valuable evidence that may be overlooked if only Chinese-language sources are consulted.