Хятан бага бичгээрх “Елюй хатны хөшөө”-ний тухай судалгаа

Search on the Epitaph of Lady Yelü in Khitan Small Script

Abstract

This paper conducts a comprehensive and systematic study on the newly discovered Khitan small script epitaph The Epitaph of Lady Yelü by dividing the content of the epitaph into six aspects: the heading of the epitaph, the descendants of the epitaph’s owner, the epitaph’s owner, the date of death and burial, the “zhi yue” (inscription narrative) section, and the date of engraving. These divisions are based on such dimensions as the external form and structure of the epitaph, the content structure of the epitaph text, the historical figures, historical events, and related allusions recorded therein. Through comparative studies between Khitan script epitaphs, between Khitan script and Chinese epitaphs, and between this epitaph and relevant historical records of the Liao Dynasty, this paper not only sorts out in detail such information as Lady Yelü’s marriage and offspring but also attempts to interpret some Khitan small script words.​