A Preliminary Analysis of Rhymed Passages in the Daybook Manuscripts

Abstract The daybook manuscripts are miscellanies in that they gather together a range of different forms of text onto a single manuscript carrier. This article focuses on passages of rhymed text, analyzing in particular the forms, patterns, and functions of the rhymes. On this basis, I provide a number of preliminary observations on the use and context of the daybook manuscripts. The article focuses on the use of rhyme in material from the Kongjiapo 孔家坡 and Shuihudi 睡虎地 daybook manuscripts in particular, while also paying attention to related hemerological, astrological, and divinatory material from Mawangdui 馬王堆, Fangmatan 放馬灘, and the Beida 北大 manuscripts among others. These materials have a penchant for using especially Yang-group 陽部 rhymes marking the (auspicious or otherwise) results of actions and divinations, in this regard they can be further compared to genres such as prayers and philosophical sayings for instance, raising the possibility of a shared discursive practice.