Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s1.t4.1

v2.c10.s1.t4.1

Shenmo Xiaoshuo (Gods and demons fiction) refers to a genre of long novels that appeared in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty and revolves around deities and monsters. This concept was first coined by Lu Xun in 1923. According to Lu Xun, this genre has three masterpieces - *The Journey to the West* by Wu Cheng’en, *The Investiture of the Gods* by Xu Zhonglin and *Sanbao Taijian Xiyang Ji*’by Luo Maodeng, and it begins with Pingyao Zhuan (The Sorcerer’s Revolt) by Luo Guanzhong. Similar works include *Xiyou Ji*, *Hou Xiyouji*, *Xu Xiyouji*, *Xiyou Bu* and the like. He is of the opinion that this genre is preoccupied with describing the struggle between gods and demons, and between the righteous and evil. Gods are righteous and represent orthodox imperial power, and a combination of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism while demons are vicious and traitorous. This is the case for each and every fiction of this genre.