Su Xun, The Genealogy of the Su Surname, 1055 (Text)

Su Xun, The Genealogy of the Su Surname, 1055

The genealogical record of the Su surname records the genealogy of the Su surname lineage.  The Su arose in Gaoyang, and then spread throughout the empire.  Early in the Shenlong period of the Tang,^[2] Administrator Weidao served as prefect in Meizhou.^[3]  He died in office.  One of his sons remained in Meizhou.  The Su of Meizhou began from this.  The reason why the genealogy does not extend to them is because the kinship links [between the current generations and them] are exhausted.^[4]  If the kinship links are exhausted, how [could one include people] not in accord with the principle that the genealogy is compiled on the basis of kinship?  What is the reason for those cases where the son is recorded but the grandson is not recorded?  This is based on the [differentiation between the] generations.  From my father extending back to my great great grandfather, what is recorded is whether or not he served in office, the surname of his spouse, the age attained and the date of his death, while for others this information is not recorded.  This is in order to elucidate my own origins.  From my father extending back to my great great grandfather, “taboo name such-and-such” is recorded, while for others the name is simply given.^[5]  What is the reason for this?  This is in order to show respect to those from whom I descend.  The genealogy is compiled for the Su surname, but only those from whom I descend are elucidated and shown respect.  Why is this?  It is because it is I who compiled the genealogy.  Alas!  Reading my genealogy, [my] sentiments of filiality and submissiveness will develop in great abundance.  Emotional ties arise from kinship ties; kinship ties arise from mourning relations.  [The expression of] mourning begins with [the wearing of] mourning clothes of coarse, frayed hemp.  It extends to [the wearing of mourning clothes made of] soft hemp, and beyond that to wearing of no mourning clothes at all.^[6]  When no mourning clothes are worn, then the kinship links are exhausted, and the sentiments are exhausted.  When there are no sentiments, then there is no celebration when happy events occur, and no compassion when one is troubled.  When there is no celebration when happy events occur, and no compassion when one is troubled, then [one’s relationship] is like that of strangers encountering one another on the road.  If I look upon another as a stranger but yet we are originally brothers, and as brothers we originate in a single body, this is tragic.  From a single body, to be divided such that we have become like strangers – this is why I have compiled the genealogy.  My meaning is that to be divided such that we become like strangers is the natural tendency.  What can I do to about this tendency?  If fortunately [two relatives] have not yet reached the point of being like strangers, [the genealogy] can encourage them not to reach the point of forgetting one another.  Alas!  On reading this geealogy, sentiments of filiality and submissiveness will develop in great abundance.  I have organized [these ideas] in a poem:

The son of my father

Is my brother

When my body is troubled by illness

My brother groans and is restless

After the passage of several generations

I do not know him

Whether he is dead or alive

I am neither joyous nor grieved

The relationship between two brothers

Is like that between hands and feet

What they can do together

And what they cannot

All depends on what kind of heart one has

• [1] Su Xun (苏驯) 1009-66 CE
• [2] 705-706 CE
• [3] in modern Sichuan
• [4] in other words, the author and the ancestors in Meizhou do not have mutual obligations for mourning one another, because they are not closely related enough.
• [5] this refers to rules that governed the use of personal names of the deceased.
• [6] in traditional Chinese mourning practices, uncomfortable clothes were worn for a set period to express one’s discomfort at the loss of a relative.  Different types of clothing were worn depending on the closeness of one’s relationship with the deceased.