Library

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Middle Category)

In the fifth year of Taikang (Jin Dynasty), someone violated the maritime ban and illegally logged timber, with crimes extending to Luofu Mountain, penetrating as far as the Thirteen Ridges. There were one hundred giant bamboos, each with a circumference of two chi and one cun nine fen, and a length of two zhang. Coastal residents cut them open to make rafts, which were later presented to the Inspector Li Fu. Lu Ke wei drew diagrams and recorded this. Observing their nodes and intervals, one can calculate time divisions, determining there is no surplus or deficit. The area where green and white intersect is called "Ru" (the inner layer of bamboo skin), symbolizing the layered form of the Shaoyang division in deployment, corresponding to the hypochondrium □ (missing character).

The bamboo stalk is hollow and connected through nodes; the boundaries of the nodes resemble meridians. Its circular continuity without beginning or end is remarkable. The even numbers eight and twelve can be intuitively understood. This aligns with celestial patterns and earthly principles. Yin and Yang numbers can be extended to ten, a hundred, a thousand, and ten thousand, but the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth cannot be deduced solely by numbers; they are understood through images. It is common for bamboo planters to prune all three-year-old bamboo and remove old roots from previous cycles, as bamboo undergoes half of six cycles.

[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Mainly treats cough with rebellious Qi, hematemesis, tendon spasm, malignant sores, and kills small insects. Decoction of bamboo roots benefits Qi, relieves thirst, tonifies deficiency, and directs Qi downward; it also solidifies the body.

[Core/Description] Says: Bamboo shoots emerge from the soil according to seasonal timing, shedding their husks to become bamboo within ten days. The stem has nodes, nodes have branches, branches have nodes, and nodes have leaves. Leaves always appear in groups of three, and branches always in pairs. Branches below branches consist of one male and two females; the female ones nurture shoots into bamboo. Bamboo rhizomes prefer growing towards the southeast. They flower once every sixty years, and after fruiting, the bamboo dies. Dead bamboo is called [character missing], fruiting bamboo is called [character missing], small bamboo is called "Xiao" (young shoot), and large bamboo is called [character missing]. According to Dai Kaizhi's *Bamboo Spectrum*: Among plants, there is a type called Long Zhu (Cage Bamboo), felled by Ling Lun at Kunlun Mountain by the Yellow Emperor to tune musical pitches; Yuanqiu Dijun Bamboo, whose nodes can make boats; a thin-fleshed and tough bamboo; Huang Zhu, hard with short nodes; Ji Zhu (Thorny Bamboo), growing in Jiaozhou commanderies, clustering with dozens of stems, some two chi in circumference, thick flesh, solid core, used by barbarians for bows; its shoots cause hair loss, also known as Ba Zhu; a bamboo type, large as a calf's leg, hollow, long and slender, southern people boil un-matured shoots in ash to make cloth; Gong Zhu (Bow Bamboo), from mountains in Dongchui, tens of zhang long, flexible but cannot stand alone. Xue Yi's *Records of Strange Things* notes: Variegated like hawksbill turtle shell, Su Ma Zhu (Su Hemp Bamboo), also Sha Ma Zhu, several zhang long, leaves as large as shoes, lovely bamboo suitable for bows, found throughout the Five Ranges; a bamboo type, thin and broad leaves, referred to in *Wu Du Fu* as Yue Nu Shi Jian Zhu (Yue Maiden Sword-Testing Bamboo); Tao Zhi Zhu (Peach Branch Bamboo) is the finest among them; a bamboo type growing north and south of Kunlun Mountains, thousand zhang long, broken nodes make large boats; Ban Chang Zhu, from East Commandery coastal mountains, shape unknown; Fu Shang Zhu, five or six cun large, solid inside; Sa Mo Zhu, planted in Gui and Guang regions, tea-bowl sized, thick flesh, small hollow, one person carries one pole, seen in *Lingbiao Records*; Zhu Zhu (Chopsticks Bamboo), about three zhang long, several cun circumference, extremely hard and sharp, used by locals for spears and slingshot strings; its shoots before maturing serve as ropes, also Shi Ye Zhu or [name missing]; Bai Ye Zhu (Hundred-Leaf Bamboo), from southern borders, highly toxic, fatal if bitten, one branch bears a hundred leaves, hence the name, also [name missing]; You Zhu, clustering growth, seen in *Wu Jun Fu*; a bamboo type, one abundant, two varieties, similar to Ku Zhu but finer and thinner; Gai Zhu, also large, thin flesh white, from deep valleys in Jiangnan; Jian Kui Zhu, sparse nodes, edible shoots; Tong Zhu, seen in *Wu Du Fu*, edible shoots; Ji Jing Zhu (Chicken Shin Bamboo), shin-like, max finger-sized, sparse yellow leaves; a bamboo type, reed-like, from east of Yangzhou, uniform texture, usable for flutes; Jian Zhu (Arrow Bamboo), not over one zhang high, three chi between nodes, hard enough to hold arrowheads; two bamboo types also hold arrows; a bamboo type, several nodes per chi, leaves fan-shaped, commonly called [name missing], usable for sails or arrows; Hui Xiao Zhu, usable for brooms; Xi Zhu, like Arrow Bamboo for arrows; Mang Zhu, sparse nodes; Lin Zhu, hard center; [name missing] bamboo, hollow center; Zhong Zhu, no [missing], all seen in *Erya*; Zhong Long Zhu and [name missing] seen in *Guang Zhi*; Tao Zhi Zhu, smooth yellow skin, usable for mats; [name missing] bamboo, dense crisp flesh, small holes, nearly solid, found south of Ancheng; Tao Zhu grows from river stones, usable for staffs; *Bamboo Spectrum* states: All bamboos are hollow, but this one is solid like wood; Li Zhu, vine-like, solid and tough; Han Zhu, large sections hold one hu, small ones hold several dou; Han Zhu, toe-sized, fine insects bite un-shed husks, shed husks turn red like embroidery, lovely; Mu Zhu, from Lingyin Mountain, solid center, connects nodes; Gu Zhu, from Hainan, solid inside, glossy outside; Jin Zhu, gifted by King of Wu to Yue, seen in *Wu Yue Chun Qiu*; Yongjia Daluo Mountain has Long Ya Zhu (Dragon Tooth Bamboo), four to five chi long, sparse nodes, harvesting causes storms/lightning, stops when descending; *Qimin Yaoshu* notes [name missing] bamboo, tasteless shoots; Du Taiqing's *Huai Fu* mentions Bing Lang Zhu (Betel Nut Bamboo); Shendu Kingdom produces [name missing] bamboo, usable for staffs, also Xia Zhu, obtained by Zhang Qian in Dayuan, seen in *Han Shu*, also [name missing] seen in *Guang Zhi*; Xinzhou Shicheng narrow pass, Song Shaoxing era, Prefect Huang Ji planted [name missing] bamboo around it, thorny, impenetrable to pigs; Se Le Zhu, thorny, useful for filing nails, seen in *Lao Xue An Bi Ji*; You Wu Zhu, three to four zhang long, circumference one chi eight or nine cun, usable for pillars, from Jiaozhi, seen in *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang*; Qi Zhu, patterned head, pattern in *Zilin*; Gou Zhu, hairy between nodes, seen in *Linhai Yiwu Zhi*; Wu Jin Zhu, golden color, firm sparse nodes, from Lingnan, seen in Zhu Fazhen's *Luoshan Shu*; Shi Ma Zhu, sharp enough for knives, seen in Pei Yuan's *Guangzhou Ji*; Bao Zhu, usable for cloth, seen in Gu Wei's *Guangzhou Ji*; Shi Xin Zhu (Solid Heart Bamboo), variegated patterns, usable for vessels; Chui Si Zhu (Weeping Silk Bamboo), weak drooping branches, seen in *Yunnan Ji*; Xian Du has Dui Qing Zhu (Pair Green Bamboo), yellow with green grooves, also in Zhejiang, abundant in Kuaiji, called Huang Jin Jian Bi (Gold Between Jade); Yu Zhu, seen in *Yang Man Zhi*; Hu Ju Zhu, seen in *Wuxian County Annals*; [name missing] bamboo, like Ku Zhu, long nodes thin, usable for roof beams; [name missing] bamboo, green skin, white inside like snow, soft/tough for ropes; San Leng Zhu (Three-Edge Bamboo), palm-like, leaf/stem handle three ridges; She Zhu (Shoot Bamboo), usable for arrows; Xi Zhou Yu Quan, before Guigu Zi Cave, bamboo leaves have talisman patterns, unique leaves, ward off disaster, seen in Chen Rihua's *Suo Hui Lu*; Bian Zhu (Flat Bamboo), from Lushan, monk Huiyuan could command spirits and repel snakes, travelers carried it, shoots also flat; Jian An [name missing] Zhu, also Dan Zhu, human figure inside node, one chi long, head and feet visible, large ones fit steamers, shoots also fit targets, seen in *Yi Yuan*; Leizhou has Dian Ban Zhu (Lightning Spotted Bamboo), seen in *Di Li Zhi*; Xiang Mi Zhu, hollow inside producing yellow substance, usable for pills; Yong Zhu, hollow, holds three sheng of rice, also produces yellow, both from Guangzhou; Xin Fu Zhu (New Bride Bamboo), from Wulin, round straight, usable for combs; Gao Pan Zhou has Shu Jie Zhu (Sparse Node Bamboo), five or six chi per node. *Tong Zhi* records good bamboo includes [name missing] Zhu, and Qin Zhou Tong Zhu, straight without nodes, hollow, seen in *Bei Hu Lu*; Guiyang County produces Quan Zhu, large two chi circumference; Jiaozhi has [name missing] Zhu, toxic solid core, used to stab tigers causing death, seen in *Shan Hai Jing* commentary; Chen Zhou has Long Si Zhu (Dragon Silk Bamboo), foot high, needle-thin; wild bamboo in rivers/lakes with tangled insect-like leaves, named Xia Sao Zhu, seen in *Yu Yi Lu*; Dangtu County Cimu Mountain has Xiao Guan Zhu (Flute Pipe Bamboo), round distinct from others, hard short nodes, white frosty skin; Shu Jia Ding produces Yue Zhu (Moon Bamboo), shoots monthly; Hanyang produces [name missing] Zhu, seen in *Nanfang Caomu Zhuang*; Funan has Yun Mu Zhu (Mica Bamboo), one section makes a boat; *Shan Hai Jing* Shun Lin Zhu, one section makes a boat; Luo Yang Zhu, banana-like; Li Mu Zhu, one node per zhang; Lin He Zhu, ten embraces wide; Ren Mian Zhu (Human Face Bamboo), nodes alternating up/down like a face; Guangxi produces Xue Zhu (Snow Bamboo), large spots, red with halos; Shu Fuzhou has Xiang Si Zhu (Love-Sick Bamboo), paired shoots; [name missing] Zhu, *Yiwu Zhi*, Nanfang Silao Kingdom, sharpens nails, Li Shangyin's poem "Nu Jian Mo Qing Shi...", character also written as Se Le, Su Shi poem "Tired looking at Se Le dark village"; He Huan Zhu (Happy Union Bamboo), from Nanyue lower Zhuzhou, Ansi County has Ku Zhu with green/white/purple/yellow colors; Zhejiang has Tian Qin Zhu (Heavenly Kin Bamboo), tips bifurcated; Chengdu Pengxian Dashui Mountain, dragon-head shaped bamboo, colloquially Long Tou Zhu; Jiuyi Mountain has Shuang Shao Zhu (Double Tip Bamboo), splits into two tips at birth, also He Huan Zhu/Di Lu Zhu, evergreen, reed-like; He Xi Zhu (Crane Knee Bamboo), node size like Ku Zhu, Min region calls it Chui Zhu; Shi KT Zhu, from Min, stone-like but smaller; Gu San Zhu, horse-whip nodes, paulownia leaves, palm bark; [name missing] Zhu, from Xiangzhou Wolong Mountain, Zhuge Liang Shrine, hundred zhang long, only tip has leaves, *Xuefeng Yulu*, Xuefeng monastery compared with Jingjiang mountains, hundred li ridge has [name missing] Zhu; Xuanwo Country has Gan Zhu; Shaoshi Mountain has Cuan Qi Zhu; *Guang Zhi* says Yongchang has Han Zhu, three chi circumference, large sections hold one hu; *Shen Yi Jing* southern wilderness has [name missing] Zhu, hundred zhang long, two zhang five or six chi circumference, eight or nine cun thick, makes boats; Shi Zhu (Screen Bamboo), also Tai Ji Zhu, makes boats; Champa Kingdom produces Guan Yin Zhu (Avalokiteshvara Bamboo), vine-like, 18 chi long, black iron color; Kuaiji County has Sun Gong Zhu (Grandfather-Grandson Bamboo), less than a chi high; Yuezhou produces Yue Wang Zhu (King of Yue Bamboo), reed-like, used as drinking counters. Next is Sha Zhu Zhu (Sand Chopstick Bamboo), pickers approach quietly, shrinks into sand at sound; Luofu Mountain has Long Gong Zhu (Dragon Duke Bamboo), seven chi diameter, phoenixes roost there; Zengcheng Ni Mountain produces Suo Luo Zhu (Sal Tree Bamboo), three to four chi circumference, hard for bows; Peng Shan has Fu Yun Zhu (Floating Cloud Bamboo), green leaves; Wu Zhu, pillar material; Fenghua Xingling Mountain bamboo, five inches high, white leaves; Qingjiang County Ruiyun Mountain bamboo, rotten silver color; *Qimin Yaoshu* Wu Zhu, black skin, sweat patterns, purple stem, pearl-like seeds. Guo Pu says: Gui Zhu (Cinnamon Bamboo) from Shixing Xiaogui County, covers dew above, vents wind below, daily produces silk/gold/green, looks like flowers; *Shan Jing* Yun Mountain Gui Zhu, very toxic, fatal, said to be like Gan Zhu with red skin; Fang Zhu (Square Bamboo), *Ningbo Annals*, Ge Xian planted at Dinghai Lingfeng; *Yibu Fangwu Zhi* has Fang Zhu Zan, *Sun Pu* Fang Zhu from Lizhou, Xiyouchuan, Tieye Chenshan North, *Bei Hu Lu* Chengzhou square bamboo, cut-like, stiff, staff material, Gezhou also produces, large several zhang; Hei Zhu (Black Bamboo), West Mountain, two chi long, finger-sized, pure black, dark green leaves, seen in Wen Taishi's *Mo Zhu Ming*, Qishui County Fengqi Mountain Wang Xizhi Washing Brush Pool, cliff small bamboo all black; *Sun Pu* Daozhou Longzhong many Dan Zhu (Red Bamboo), one zhang or eight chi per node, slender swaying, powdery nodes, reddish top; *Zhu Pu* Yidu County Feiyu Kou, large inch or less, bright lovely; Qianyang County also Zhugang, rolling hills cluster red bamboo; *Yun Chuang Za Zhi* Ning Bo Zhu (Condensing Wave Bamboo), Quwu Mountain, purple branches green leaves, pomegranate flowers, lotus seeds, lightens body, Zhao Feiyan danced on palms eating these seeds; *Gu Man Lu* Zhang Tang says: Same county Anfuxi Township, Zhou Junshe family, Twelve Hours Bamboo, nodes protrude with Zi Chou Yin Mao twelve Earthly Branch characters, countable strokes; *Qing Yi Lu* Jingnan Judge Liu Huo, resigned to Qinlong, kept dozen large bamboo pieces, sliced for guests to brew, spicy like clove, insisted name is Ding Xiang Zhu (Clove Bamboo), not Chinese origin; *Kui Che Zhi* Shaoxing era, Siming merchant sea voyage blocked by wind, climbed mountain peak, found temple, window bamboo few, red leaves/branches, merchant begged for poles, cut for staffs, knife scraping produced light, heart strange, arrived country, old man said: You visited Putuoluojia Mountain Avalokiteshvara seat, Sandalwood Forest Purple Bamboo, merchant shocked/regretted, took scrap discarded rest, stored treasure, chronic illness no medicine cured, decoction drunk immediately healed. Also bamboo-like different names: Lian (Toona), Zong (Palm), different categories; varieties繁多, medicinal use prefers [name missing] Zhu, next Dan/Ku two types, another thin shell called Gan Zhu (Sweet Bamboo), leaves best.

My father's broad discussion says: Easy to grow, hollow with nodes, nature sparse/smooth, sheltering solitude, evergreen in winter, thriving in spring, truly a hermit sage. Also: Autumn deep draws roots, winter half nurtures shoots, yet born in pairs, slightly staggered emergence. Spring Equinox ten mature bamboo, branches even, leaves triple, straight up air, embodying Wood containing Fire image. Thus shoots can induce sores, juice clears meridians, Ru main vomit/hiccup, leaves clear vexation/heat, all penetrating Wood/Fire limitations.

Also: Remove outer skin layer, take green-white intersection called "Ru", this bamboo Qi penetrates up/down, surface/interior, using it clears upper/lower, makes Qi clear, reaches surface/interior without sudden urgency.

Also: Directly reaches hollow center, extracts water/earth force swiftly, juice is bamboo water, texture like skin pores, node boundaries like meridians, thus hollow nodes are not return-less. If disease long thirst, nodes block flow; vexation, flow without nodes; Bamboo Juice power, node interaction, thus thirst solved, vexation calmed. But Bamboo Juice flows with nodes, direct power dominant, must assist with Ginger Juice, then horizontal spread, fully utilizing Wood/Fire function.

[Discussion] Says: Bamboo is object with sinew/nodes. So Sinew/Node characters derive from Bamboo. Bamboo consists of two parts, branches pair, leaves triple, image of Fire Two Wood Three. Likes Southeast, Nine Rivers rare, divination: *Erya Yi* says Xun is Bamboo. *Yi Xi* says Zhen is Bamboo, young bamboo. Shows things gather by kind. Stem nodes, nodes branches, branches triple nodes again, like three periods forming node. Thus governs period lost token, causing Qi rebellion/overflow, or frost/dew not falling, then depression not flourishing, causing tendon spasm/thirst. Solid connects spirit, lightens body benefits Qi, bamboo sixty years flowers, exhausting Stems/Branches changes. Guest says: I see leaves year one form, year two lush, year three dense, year four thin, year five sparse, year six wither. Never saw sixty years flowering. I say: Ancients meant proper spacing, root cycle, not just one stem life/death. Guest says: Nodes formed at birth, how match four seasons? I say: Winter half pregnant, Spring half born, Summer half replace leaves, Autumn half draw roots, four Qi distinct, not just emergence time for life. (*Shu Yi Ji* says: Wei state Qi Garden bamboo, on Qi River. *Pi Ya* says: Qi Garden bamboo, cut Qi Garden bamboo for arrows, Qi Garden, Yin Zhou arrow garden. Qi bamboo production land suitable, thus poet praises Duke Wu virtue.)

(Xie Zhuang says: Straight not rigid, weak not deficient, fragrant gardens, flute clouds, praised Chu Tan, beautiful quality pool.)

(Jiang Yan says: Beautiful bamboo, natural posture, hollow Dao image, round heaven ritual, clan Pujian.)

(Liu Kuanfu says: Hard matches pine/cypress, strong braves frost/snow, dense hides smoke, sparse leaks moon, charming play, strong...)

(Bai Juyi says: Bamboo like Kidney? Why? Root solid, solid builds virtue, gentleman sees root thinks steadfast establishment. Nature straight, straight stands self, gentleman sees nature thinks impartial standing. Nature hollow, hollow embodies Dao, gentleman sees thought thinks empty reception. Node chaste, chaste sets will, gentleman sees node thinks tempering conduct consistent in danger/safety. Thus gentlemen plant as courtyard reality. Bamboo, plant. What relation to humans? Like worthy, people cherish/plant. Bamboo true worthy? Then bamboo/grass like worthy/commoners. Bamboo cannot distinguish itself, only people distinguish it, worthy cannot distinguish self, only employing worthy distinguishes it. Thus record to inform today's employing worthy.)

(Wang Yangming says: Bamboo has four gentleman ways: Hollow quiet, connected spaced, gentleman virtue; External node straight, four seasons leaves unchanged, gentleman conduct; Responds hibernation emerges, meets summer hides, rain/snow dark/light suitable, gentleman timing; Clear wind arrives, jade chime sounds, matches music, bows respects, like Confucius disciples gathering, wind stops silence, stands independent, unbowed, like Yu court lords, formal hats, hall sides, gentleman appearance. Bamboo has these four, named gentleman, not unworthy of name.)