Tongjian gangmu

work by Zhu Xi

Also known as: “T’ung-chien kang-mu”

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The Tongjian gangmu is a condensed and revised version of Sima Guang's comprehensive history, the Zizhi tongjian. Zhu Xi, a prominent Chinese philosopher, completed the Tongjian gangmu around 1172. This work aimed to illustrate moral principles in government by simplifying the original chronicle. It was widely read across East Asia and served as a basis for early European histories of China. The Tongjian gangmu is a significant example of Zhu Xi's interest in history and his efforts to make historical lessons accessible and morally instructive.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Zhu Xi
Life
…resulting work, known as the Tongjian gangmu (“Outline and Digest of the General Mirror”), basically completed in 1172, was not only widely read throughout eastern Asia but also served as the basis for the first comprehensive history of China published in Europe, J.-A.-M. Moyriac de Mailla’s Histoire générale de la…
Read More
…resulting work, known as the Tongjian gangmu (“Outline and Digest of the General Mirror”), basically completed in 1172, was not only widely read throughout eastern Asia but also served as the basis for the first comprehensive history of China published in Europe, J.-A.-M. Moyriac de Mailla’s Histoire générale de la…
Read More