“Yi” theories were blossoming in the Ming Dynasty. The development of the study of “Yi” in the Ming Dynasty was based on Tu-Shu, a new perspective proposed by Chen Tuan in the Song Dynasty. Tu-Shu and the corresponding diagram-styled Xiang-Shu maintained its position, while Yili (Principle Study) gradually became the mainstream. Among all of these, Zhu Xi’s “Yi” theory was widely acknowledged. The interpretation of “Yi” was largely influenced by the formation of Wang Yangming’s Xinxue (Heart study). Also, the rise of Qi Theory also brought a certain academic influence. Buddhism, medicine and other ideological systems also developed their own “Yi” concepts in this diverse development environment. Zhu Bokun's “Yixue Zhexue Shi” (History of Philosophy of Yi) defines Xiang-Shu and Yili two branches and then its sub-branches including: principle theory, Qi theory, heart study, mathematics and Xiang theory. Lin Zhongjun’s “Ming dai Yixue shi” (History of Yi in the Ming Dynasty) described Cheng’s and Zhu’s “Yi”, Heart study’s “Yi”, fusion of principle and heart theory of “Yi”, Xiang-Shu’s “Yi”, and those in Buddhism and medicine system. Xu Qinting’s “Yixue Yuanliu'' specified detail categories into: Cheng-Zhu and other principle study, diagram-styled Xiang-Shu, History study, ancient “Yi”, Daoism and Heart, study of “book of solution”, phonology and textual research, divination, and doubting antiquity school. Overall, the study of “Yi” in the Ming Dynasty continued the succession of the Song Dynasty and influenced by the prevalent thought of the mind, facing the impact and challenges of politics and academics in the later period. Finally, brewing and forming a new reflection, made “Yi” studies of the entire era more diverse and flourishing.
Ming Dynasty’s “Yi” studies retained a wealth of documents, which were of different nature and representativeness. Although selected by the curators of “Siku”, there were still a large number of documents not included, which caused regret. This special call for papers focuses on the ideological connotation and evolution of the “Yi” theory by experts in the Ming Dynasty, wishing to feature “Yi” scholars, who are representative and rarely studied, and to elaborate their theories and standings. We welcome scholars to submit articles related with the development of “Yi” studies to promote research in this field. Submission for this special article column section ends by the beginning of September 2023.
