宋代的時文刊本與考試文化

Examination Essays and the Culture of Examination in the Sung

隨著科舉考試的的施行及與印刷術的推波助瀾，宋代書籍的數量與日俱增。其中「時文」的刊行蘊含多重社會意義：官方出版品象徵模範的宣揚；書商有時違法刊刻，透露這類考試用書的商機甚大。而學子競相購買，則顯示其對於求取仕途的渴望及為學態度。至南宋中後期，書坊轉而請士人或士大夫選文，利用這些人的知名度，推廣其銷路。不僅如此，南宋後期，個人的時文冊子也出現了。考生利用時文冊以為投贄之用，冀求通過考試。本文試圖經由分析「時文」編寫、刊印的過程，認識科舉制度與考試書籍出產的關聯，同時明瞭時文在宋代社會的重要性。

With the adoption of the civil service examination system and the spread of printing technology in the Sung, the quantity of books increased dramatically. Among numerous books in the market, one genre stands out-examination essays (shiwen). The significances of examination essays are multiple. First, the government published essays that were successful in the civil service examinations, implying they are ”model essays.” Second, commercial book printers, sometimes illegally, circulating them reveals the profitability of this genre. Third, that examinees purchased these ”model essays” shows how eager they vied to pass the examinations. Fourth, by mid- and late Southern Sung, commercial printers asked literati or scholar-officials to compile examination essays, using their publicity to promote the sale. Fifth, personal exam essays in book form also appeared. They desired to increase their publicity so that they would be known by the examiners, and would be able to pass the exams. This paper attempts to analyze the compilation and circulation of examination essays in the hope of understanding the relationship between the civil service examinations and the production of books, as well as their significances in Sung society.