MA Yinqin

  • Email : mayinqin@tsinghua.edu.cn
  • Research Room : Room 326, Meng Minwei Humanities Building
​Academic Monographs


  1. A Poetic History of the Zhou Dynasty, Social Sciences Academic      Press, December 2006.

    • First Prize for Outstanding  Research Achievements, Institute of Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), 2009.

    • Qin Ying Literary Research  Award, Institute of Literature, CASS, 2009.

    • Third Prize, Seventh CASS  Outstanding Research Achievement Awards.

  2. The Transmission History of  the Book of Songs in the Zhou and Qin Eras, Social Sciences Academic Press, July 2011.

  3. A Historical Account of the  Book of Songs (co-authored), National Library Press, April  2019.

Classical Text Compilations & Annotations
  1. Annotated Commentary on The  Art of War, Joint Publishing (Hong Kong), April 2006.

  2. Authentic Interpretation of  Han Feizi, Huaxia Publishing House, August 2008 (revised edition March 2014).

  3. Complete Annotated and  Translated Edition of In Search of the Supernatural (Soushen Ji),  Zhonghua Book Company, October 2009 (revised edition January 2016).

  4. Comprehensive Annotated and Translated Edition of In Search of the Supernatural (Soushen Ji)(Full-Text Edition), Zhonghua Book Company, January 2012.

  5. The Art of War, New  Era Universal Library (Series 1), Liao Hai Publishing House, January 2025.


Collaborative Works
  1. Co-editor, A New Dictionary of Modern Chinese Idioms, Wuhan Publishing House, 1999.

  2. Contributor to the revised  edition of A Comprehensive History of Chinese Literature (Chief      Editors: Zhang Jiong, Deng Shaoji, Lang Ying), responsible for revising      the pre-Qin section (Volume 1, edited by Liu Yuejin). Jiangsu Literature      and Art Publishing House, February 2013.

  3. Contributor to A  History of Ancient Chinese Literature (Chief Editors: Liu Yuejin,  Chen Hong), responsible for the Book of Songs section.  Higher Education Press, August 2013.

  4. Contributor to A  Concise Reader on Chinese Literary History (Chief Editor: Liu  Yuejin), responsible for the pre-Qin section. China Social Sciences Press,  June 2019. Listed as a major achievement of CASS Innovation Project  (2019).


Research Papers (Selected Publications)
  1. “A New Interpretation of the  Aesthetic ‘Sedimentation Theory’,” Journal of Hubei University,  1996(6). Excerpted in Digest of Humanities and Social Sciences in      Higher Education. Awarded Second Prize for Outstanding Papers in      Philosophy and Social Sciences (1996–1997).

  2. “The Ontology of Artistic  Value,” Journal of Yunnan Arts University, 1999(2).

  3. “The Era of the Preface  to Mao’s Odes Viewed Through Differences in Han Dynasty  Commentaries,” Wen Shi, 2000(2). First Prize, Second  Outstanding Achievement Awards, China Book of Songs Society.

  4. “The Separation and  Convergence of ‘Song’ and ‘Poetry’ in the Book of Songs,” Collected  Papers on Literary Criticism, Vol. 3, No. 1 (2000).

  5. “The Compilation of Poetic Texts and the Emergence of the Title Shi,” Literary  Review, Youth Scholars Special Issue (2001). Nominated for Literary  Review Best Paper Award (1997–2002).

  6. “Sacrificial Hymns of the   Early Western Zhou,” Studies of Chinese Literature, 2002(1).

  7. “The Compilation of Airs  of the States in the Early Eastern Zhou,” Journal of  Yunnan Arts University, 2002(1).

  8. “The Dating of the Preface  to Mao’s Odes,” Literary Heritage, 2002(2). Reprinted  in China Social Sciences Digest, 2002(9).

  9. “The Relationship Between Confucius’ Discussion of the Odes and the Preface to Mao’s Odes” (co-authored), Literature & Art Studies,  2002(2). Reprinted in Xinhua Digest, 2002(7).

  10. “Ritual Music of the Early Western Zhou and the First Compilation of Poetic Texts in King Kang’s      Reign,” Studies on the Book of Songs, Vol. 2, Xueyuan Press,   January 2002.

  11. “Ceremonial Music in King Mu’s Reign of the Western Zhou,” Chinese Poetry Studies, Vol. 1,  Zhonghua Book Company, June 2002.

  12. “A Re-examination of Mencius’ ‘When Poetry Faded, the Spring and Autumn Annals Arose’,” Journal of Shanghai Normal University, 2002(3).

  13. “The Structure of the Book      of Songs: ‘Four Beginnings’ and ‘Four Genres’,” Proceedings of  the Fifth International Conference on the Book of Songs, Xueyuan  Press, 2002.

  14. “The Confucius’      Discussion of the Odes from the Shanghai Museum Bamboo Slips and      the Early Form of Shi” (co-authored), presented at the “Symposium on Confucius’ Discussion of the Odesand Pre-Qin  Poetics” (2002.1). Cultural Communication (Macau).

  15. "Ritual  Music in the Era of King Xuan of Zhou and the Compilation of Poetic  Texts," Studies on the Book of Songs Vol. 5, Xueyuan Press, July   2003.

  16. "The Transmission and Characteristics of the Book of Songs in the Context of   Fu-Quotation Practices During the Spring and Autumn Period," Chinese  Poetry Studies Vol. 2, Zhonghua Book Company, August 2003.

  17. "The Compilation of the Book of  Songs During Duke Huan of Qi's Era," Literary Heritage 2004(3).  Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials 2004(8). Awarded the Wang Jisi      Foundation for Ancient Drama and Literature Research "Outstanding  Paper Award in Literary Heritage (2004-2005)" in 2006, and the Excellent Achievement Award by the Institute of Literature, Chinese  Academy of Social Sciences.

  18. On Confucius' Poetic Education Doctrine and Its Intellectual Origins,"   Literary Review 2004(5). Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials 2005(1).

  19. "The 'Airs of Zheng' and 'Airs of  Qi' in the Early Spring and Autumn Period," Studies on the Book of  Songs Vol. 6, Xueyuan Press, March 2004.

  20. "The  Transmission System of Poetry Under Zhou Dynasty Ritual Music   Institutions," Chinese Poetics Vol. 9, People's Literature Publishing   House, June 2004. Excerpted in China Social Sciences Digest 2004(5).

  21. "A  Comparative Study of the Shanghai Bamboo Slips' 'Discourses on the Odes'  and the 'Preface to Mao's Odes' - With Discussion on Their Genetic  Relationship," Bamboo and Silk Studies 2002-2003, Guangxi Normal      University Press, June 2005. Excerpted in China Academic Yearbook      (Humanities and Social Sciences) 2005.

  22. "On  the Social Nature of 'Ernan' Music and the Dating of 'Ernan' in the Book of Songs," Literary Frontiers Vol. 10, Xueyuan Press, September 2005.   Also included in Studies on the Relationship Between Chinese Poetry and      Music, Xueyuan Press, December 2005.

  23. "Owl  Worship in the Shang Dynasty and Its Historical Evolution," Tianwen   (2006 Volume), Jiangsu People's Publishing House, December 2006.

  24. "The  Transmission and Characteristics of the Book of Songs During the Warring States Period," Literary Heritage 2006(3).

  25. "Xunzi  and the Book of Songs," Journal of Tsinghua University 2008(3).

  26. "Two Issues Concerning Mencius' Poetic Thought," Literary Heritage 2008(4).

  27. "Warring  States Chu Bamboo Slips and the Transmission of the Book of Songs in Chu," Institute of Literature Academic Journal 2008, China Social Sciences Press, December 2008.

  28. "Zixia's Residence in Xihe and the Transmission of the Book of Songs in the Three  Jin Regions," Journal of Peking University 2010(5). Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research      2011(1).

  29. "The Living Space of Qin Confucianism During Zhou-Qin Transition - With Discussion on the Transmission of the Book of Songs in Qin," Literary Heritage 2011(4). Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern      Chinese Literature Research 2011(11).

  30. "Tracing  Zisi and His Poetic Scholarship Thought," Literary Heritage 2012(4).

  31. "Jixia  Academy and the Development of Qi Confucianism," Collected Papers on Zhao Zhixin Studies, May 2012.

  32. "Extensive  Learning and Meticulous Inquiry: On American Sinologist David R. Knechtges' Research and Translation of Fu Poetry" (12,000 characters), Journal of Fujian Normal University 2014(3).

  33. "The Era, Nature and Other Aspects of the 'Ya' and 'Song' Sections,"  Qinghai Social Sciences 2014(3).

  34. "Revisiting  Confucius' Editing of the Book of Songs," Literary Heritage 2014(5).

  35. "The Intellectual Characteristics and Family Scholarship Tradition of  Zixia" (19,000 characters), Literary Review 2016(1).

  36. "From      'Fu' as Tax to 'Fu' as Composition: Tracing the Institutional Origins of Fu Genre Development" (20,000 characters), Journal of Tsinghua  University (Philosophy and Social Sciences) 2016(2). Reprinted in Renda  Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research 2016(6).  Excerpted in Xinhua Digest 2016(15).

  37. "The Establishment of the Concept 'Wen' and the 'Consciousness of  Literature'," Central Plains Culture Research 2016(5).

  38. "The Epic Poems in the Book of Songs and the Historical Construction of the Zhou People," Academic Forum 2017(1). Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research 2017(7).

  39. "Feng,  Feng Sound, Feng Satire and the Emergence of the 'Airs' Category," Journal of Tsinghua University 2017(4). Excerpted in Xinhua Digest 2017(18).

  40. "On Tao Yuanming's Influence on Yan Yanzhi's Life Attitude and Destiny," Literature and History Knowledge 2018(11).

  41. "The Story of 'Baosi Destroying Zhou' and the Nature of 'First Month' in the Book of Songs," Journal of Peking University 2018(6).

  42. "The Relationship Between 'Dance of Duke of Zhou's Qin' and 'Reverence' in Zhou  Hymns - With Discussion on the Production Methods of Zhou Ritual  Music" (14,000 characters), Journal of Tsinghua University 2019(2).  Excerpted in Xinhua Digest 2019(17).

  43. "On  the Relationship Between 'Poetry Expresses Intent' and 'Poetry Springs  from Feeling' and Their Theoretical Evolution," Journal of  South-Central Minzu University 2019(3). pp. 85-92.

  44. "Questioning the Claim 'No Music in Wedding Ceremonies' in the Book of Rites,"  Literature and History Knowledge 2020(1).

  45. "The Interpretation of 'Guining' and the Evolution of Guining Customs," Journal of Tsinghua University 2020(4).

  46. "Textual  Analysis of the Anhui University Bamboo Slips Version of the Book of Songs," Chinese Culture Research Autumn 2020. Reprinted in Renda  Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research 2020(12).

  47. "The Ritual Music Functions of 'Zhou Nan' and 'Shao Nan' and Their Connections  and Differences," Literary Heritage 2021(1).

  48. "The  Evolution of Ancestral Worship Rituals from Shang to Zhou and the Ritual  Music Nature of Zhou Hymns," Central Plains Culture Research 2021(1). Reprinted in Renda Copying Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese  Literature Research 2021(8).

  49. "The  Relationship Between 'Ya' and 'Xia' and the Establishment of Zhou Ya  Music's Orthodox Status," Northern Forum 2021(3). Excerpted in Xinhua  Digest 2021(14).

  50. "A  Close Study of Female Poets' Works in the Book of Songs," Literature and History Knowledge 2022(9-10).

  51. "'The  Jiang Has Its Tributaries' in the Book of Songs and the Ying Marriage Culture of the Zhou Dynasty," Journal of South China Normal  University 2024(1).

  52. "The  'Musicalization of Poetry' and 'Poeticization of Music' in Early  China," Literary Heritage 2024(3). Excerpted in Higher Education  Institutions' Academic Digest 2024(6). Reprinted in Renda Copying      Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research 2024(8).

  53. "Zhou  Ritual Music Culture and the Formation of the Book of Songs," Secretary Work 2024(6).

  54. "'Dead  Deer in the Wild' in the Book of Songs and Zhou Marriage Rituals,"  Literature & Art Studies 2024(9). Reprinted in Renda Copying  Materials: Ancient and Modern Chinese Literature Research 2024(12).

  55. "The  Rise and Fall of Zhou Ritual Music Institutions," Secretary Work  2024(12).


Research Reviews

             Liu Yangzhong, Ma Yinqin, Chen  Caizhi, “Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences,” CASS Bulletin, July 15, 2004.

            “Review of Pre-Qin and Han  Literature Research (2002),” China Literature Yearbook 2003,  2004.

            "Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2003)," China Literature Yearbook 2004, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2005.

            "Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2004)," China Literature Yearbook 2005, China Literature Yearbook Press, 2006.

Liu Yangzhong, Ma Yinqin, Chen Caizhi, Wang Damin: "Frontiers Scanning in Ancient Literature Research," Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Bulletin, May 16, 2006.

"Annual Review of Chinese Literary Research (2005)" (16,000 characters), China Academic Yearbook (Humanities and Social Sciences Edition) 2005, Central Compilation & Translation Press, November 2006.

Liu Yangzhong, Ma Yinqin, Chen Caizhi: "Current State of Ancient Literature Research," Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Bulletin, December 24, 2006.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2005)," China Literature Yearbook 2006, China Literature Yearbook Press, May 2007.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2006)," China Literature Yearbook 2007, China Literature Yearbook Press, June 2008.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2007)," China Literature Yearbook 2008, China Literature Yearbook Press, February 2009.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2008)," China Literature Yearbook 2009, China Literature Yearbook Press, October 2009.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2009)," China Literature Yearbook 2010, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2010.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2010)," China Literature Yearbook 2011, China Literature Yearbook Press, November 2011.

"Annual Overview of Ancient Literature Research (2011)," China Social Sciences Today, December 27, 2011.

"Annual Review of Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literary Research (2012)," China Literature Yearbook 2013, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2013.


Book Reviews

"Review of Cao Hong's A Study of the Yanghu School of Prose," Jianghai Academic Journal, no. 4 (1999).

"Review of Wang Kunwu's A Study of Sui-Tang Yan-Yue Mixed-Meter Lyrics," Yearbook of Ci Poetry Studies (1995–1996), Wuhan Publishing House, March 2000.

"Dynamic Research Methodology from the Perspective of Transmission: Reflections on Professor Dai Weihua's Monologue," People's Political Consultative Daily, November 25, 2003.

"Liu Xinfang's Exposition on Confucius' Discussion of the Odes," China Literature Yearbook 2004, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2005.

"Tan Zuowen's Studies on Zhu Xi's Scholarship of the Book of Songs," China Literature Yearbook 2004, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2005.

"Cheng Shihe's Intellectual Trends and Literature in the Early Han Dynasty," China Literature Yearbook 2005, China Literature Yearbook Press, 2006.

"Zhu Xiaohai's New Evidence on the History of Han Fu," China Literature Yearbook 2005, China Literature Yearbook Press, 2006.

"Cao Daoheng & Liu Yuejin's Historiography of Pre-Qin and Han Literature," China Literature Yearbook 2006, China Literature Yearbook Press, May 2007.

"Zhao Minli et al.'s Studies on Ancient Chinese Song-Poetry," China Literature Yearbook 2006, China Literature Yearbook Press, May 2007.

"Han Gaonian's Ritual Ceremonies and the Evolution of Pre-Qin Poetry," China Literature Yearbook 2007, China Literature Yearbook Press, June 2008.

"Liu Yuejin's Annals of Qin-Han Literature," China Literature Yearbook 2007, China Literature Yearbook Press, June 2008.

"Liao Qun's Archaeological Studies on Pre-Qin and Han Literature," China Literature Yearbook 2008, China Literature Yearbook Press, February 2009.

"Zong Fan's Historical Studies on Han Fu Research," China Literature Yearbook 2008, China Literature Yearbook Press, February 2009.

"Sun Shangyong's Studies on Yuefu Literary Texts," China Literature Yearbook 2008, China Literature Yearbook Press, February 2009.

"Toward an Integrated Historical Perspective on Qin-Han Literature" (book review, 2,300 characters), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Bulletin, March 10, 2009.

"Wang Xiaodun's Studies on Early Chinese Thought and Symbols: The Origins and System Formation of the Four Mythical Creatures," China Literature Yearbook 2009, China Literature Yearbook Press, October 2009.

"Chen Yiping's Distinguishing Pre-Qin Ancient Poetry," China Literature Yearbook 2009, China Literature Yearbook Press, October 2009.

"Liu Yuejin's Collected Essays on Qin-Han Literature," China Literature Yearbook 2009, China Literature Yearbook Press, October 2009.

"Reading Liu Yuqing & Guo Wanjin's From Literature to Classics: A Historical Study of Pre-Qin and Han Scholarship on the Book of Songs," Literary Review, no. 2 (2011).

"Chen Zhi's From Ritualization to Secularization: The Formation of the Book of Songs," China Literature Yearbook 2010, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2010.

"Zhao Minli's Studies on the Han Dynasty Yuefu Institution and Song-Poetry," China Literature Yearbook 2010, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2010.

"Fu Daobin's Poetry as a Mirror: Ritual-Music Culture and the Poetic Spirit of the Zhou Dynasty," China Literature Yearbook 2011, China Literature Yearbook Press, November 2011.

"Reflections on Chinese Literary Studies in the New Century" (book review), China Reading Weekly, May 23, 2012.

"Zhao Hui's Research on the Genesis of Pre-Qin Literature," China Literature Yearbook 2013, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2013.

"Liu Yuejin's Literary Geography and the Distribution of Scholars in Qin-Han China," China Literature Yearbook 2013, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2013.

"Sun Shaohua's A Study of the Kong Congzi," China Literature Yearbook 2013, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2013.

"Chen Jun's Social Change and Literary Development in the Eastern Han Dynasty," China Literature Yearbook 2013, China Literature Yearbook Press, December 2013.

"Hearing Thunder in Silence: Reflections on Yang Yi's Restoring the Analects," Chinese Literary Studies, vol. 26, Fudan University Press, November 2015.



Newspaper Articles
  1. "Mao Gong Academy and the  Tomb of Mao Chang," China Social Sciences Today, July 27,  2012.

  2. "The Book of  Songs:  The Immortal Origin of Chinese Poetry," China Social Sciences Today, March 27, 2015.

  3. "The Book of  Songs in the Interaction of Ritual and Music," Guangming Daily, October 9, 2017, sec. 13 (Literature, History, and Philosophy   Weekly: "Literary Heritage" column).

  4. "The Semantic Evolution  of Fu in Pre-Qin Times," Guangming Daily, February 5, 2018, sec. 13 (Literature, History, and Philosophy Weekly:   "Literary Heritage" column).

  5. "The Highest Ideal of  Poetic Education: Gentleness and Sincerity Without Folly," Chinese Cultural Heritage, no. 12 (2018).

  6. "The Conceptual Evolution  and Contemporary Value of 'Literature,'" China Social  Sciences Today, June 22, 2020. Republished on China Social Sciences Net (June 25, 2020) and The Paper (June  26, 2020).

  7. "Ancient Customs of the Dragon Boat Festival and the Commemoration of Qu Yuan," Literary Gazette, June 24, 2020.

  8. "Songs of 'Harmonious Music' in The Book of Songs and the Development of He () Thought," Unity Daily, January 8, 2022.

  9. "Classical Learning  Should Begin with Commentaries: An Introduction to Mao Shi Zhengyi," Chinese Cultural Heritage, June 2022 issue.

  10. "From 'Poetry Articulates Intent' to 'Poetry Springs from Emotion': A Historical Evolution," China Social Sciences Today, February 6,  2023.

  11. "Chanting and Recitation to Inspire Goodness: An Introduction to Zhu Xi's Collected  Commentaries on the Book of Songs," Chinese Cultural Heritage, May 2023 issue.

  12. "Constructing a New Era Tradition of 'Literature as a Vehicle for Dao' in Cultural Education," China Social Sciences Today, April 15, 2024.