What is the most recent literary or classical Chinese text in the CJKV nations?

 Classical Chinese, or 文言文 (wényánwén), has been a foundational medium for scholarly and official writings across East Asia for centuries. In the modern era, its use has significantly declined, but there have been notable instances of its application in recent times within the CJKV (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) nations.

China:

In contemporary China, Classical Chinese is primarily reserved for ceremonial or scholarly purposes. A significant modern endeavor is the compilation of the Ruzang (儒藏), or Confucian Canon. This ongoing project aims to compile all known classical works on Confucianism, encompassing texts from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Initiated by Peking University philosopher Tang Yijie, the project is expected to comprise more than 5,000 works with approximately a billion Chinese characters upon its completion, which is anticipated by 2025. citeturn0search10

Japan:

In Japan, while Classical Chinese (kanbun) is no longer in common use, it remains a subject of academic study. Institutions like the Cornell Classical Chinese Colloquium explore a variety of classical Chinese texts and styles, including premodern texts linked to classical Chinese in Japanese literature. citeturn0search0

Korea:

Similarly, in Korea, the use of Classical Chinese has diminished, but it continues to be studied within academic circles. Historical records, such as the Joseon Wangjo Sillok (조선왕조실록), or Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, were written in Classical Chinese and are subjects of scholarly research. citeturn0search11

Vietnam:

In Vietnam, the traditional use of Classical Chinese (Hán văn) has largely been replaced by the Vietnamese alphabet (Quốc Ngữ). However, historical texts and records in Classical Chinese are still studied for academic and cultural purposes. The Ruzang project also includes Vietnamese Confucian classics, highlighting the shared cultural heritage. citeturn0search10

In summary, while the everyday use of Classical Chinese has waned across the CJKV nations, scholarly projects like the Ruzang demonstrate a continued, albeit specialized, engagement with this classical language in the modern era.

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