Some thoughts on historical and legal aspects regarding the fourth volume of the “Laws of the Great Ming dynasty” translated into Russian. [Review on:] Svistunova N. P. (transl.), Dmitriev S. V. (ed.). Laws of the Great Ming Dynasty with the Combined Commentary and Enclosed Decrees (Da Ming Liuy Tsi Tze Fu Li). Pt. IV. Moscow: Vostochnaya literature; 2019. 550 p.

The article is a survey of the Russian translation of “Laws of the Great Ming dynasty” in four volumes published since 1997 to 2019. The introduction of this legal monument to the Russian scientific society is of great importance as it substantially expands contemporary idea on Chinese traditional legal system and meets a lack in the history of law ofChinain 14th–17th cc.

To survey the legal monument there special legal scientific methods were used. Historical legal approach allowed to trace the creation and acting of this codification in the specific historical circumstances, value its urgency for the epoch of Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Comparative legal method gave an opportunity to compare this legal monument with other codifications of traditional Chinese law since the ancient times to the legislation of Qing, last dynasty of the imperialChina(1644–1911). Formal legal approach provided the analysis of the legal technique of the document, specific features of its structure and content, characteristic of legal terminology, etc.

The analysis allowed to appreciate the “Laws of the Great Ming dynasty” at its high value as a source on history, state and law of medievalChina. It had similarities and differences with other sources of traditional Chinese law. Besides, it is of great importance for the further development of legislation of imperialChina.

The codification is an important document on statehood and law of the Ming China as it contains valuable information on power system and competence of authorities, basic fields of legal relations in the medieval Chinese society. Its structure is traditional (based on the example of codification of Tang dynasty, 618–907), at the same time it has larger volume and regulates new fields of legal relations, takes into account changes in the internal and externaln status ofChinaafter the expelling the Mongolian Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and foundation of “national” Ming dynasty. Some principles of domestic and foreign policy of Qing dynasty were legally fixed during the epoch of Ming.

The analyzed legal monument is of great interest for researchers of the history ofChina, its state and law. In fact, each chapter as well as specific articles and supplement statements could be a subject of investigation. “Laws of the Great Ming dynasty” also could be used by lecturers of history of state and law and for students who study this discipline.

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