Rare Books
Tiangong Kaiwu (The Exploitation of Nature Works), 3 juan
Written by Song Yingxing (1587-1666?). Original engraved edition in the 10th year of Chongzhen Period (1637), Ming Dynasty.
Tiangong Kaiwu is the first comprehensive work on agriculture and handicrafts in the world; it is also one of the most important works on science and technology in the cultural history of China. Covering almost all aspects of agriculture and handicrafts, it systematically summarizes ancient Chinese technologies in agriculture, handicrafts and other technological achievements of China before the Ming Dynasty. There are also 121 illustrations to explain the terminologies, configurations and processing procedures of over 130 types of production technologies and tools.
