《麻姑仙坛记》小字本考论

A Critical Examination of the Small-Character Version of The Record of the Magu Immortal Altar

摘要: 本文采用文献研究法，文章首先考证了《麻姑仙坛记》原碑湮灭的过程，认为其应损毁于元代江西地区的战乱之中；其次，结合北宋时期对于小字本的接受及评价，推测北宋中期或是《麻姑仙坛记》小字本广泛制作的重要时期；最后，以历代著录中所见小字本《麻姑仙坛记》为基础，系统梳理了小字本在传承过程中形成的十类版本系统及其主要特征。通过研究，本文认为《麻姑仙坛记》小字本的广泛流传，是北宋时期“书如其人”品评观与金石学视角共同推动的结果。

Abstract: Employing documentary research, this paper first investigates the process of the destruction of the original stele of The Record of the Magu Immortal Altar, concluding that it was likely destroyed during the warfare in the Jiangxi region of the Yuan dynasty. Secondly, by examining its reception and evaluation during the Northern Song period, it posits that the mid-Northern Song dynasty was a crucial phase for the widespread reproduction of the small-character version. Finally, based on the small-character versions documented throughout history, the paper systematically categorizes them into ten distinct edition systems, outlining their primary characteristics formed during transmission. Through this research, the paper argues that the broad circulation of the small-character version of The Record of the Magu Immortal Altar was propelled by the combined influence of the Northern Song evaluative concept that “the calligraphy mirrors the person” and the scholarly perspective of epigraphy.