Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s3.t4.1

v2.c10.s3.t4.1

*The Journey to the West* is a long novel of gods and demons written on the basis of Xuanzang’s journey to India and is one of the four ancient great novels of China. It consists of 100 chapters, and is believed to be written by Wu Cheng’en (1506-1580 or 1582 CE), though this authorship is disputed. Xuanzang’s legendary pilgrimage has a significant impact on later generations and from the 9^th or 10^th century CE, relevant tales began to appear in folk tales and literary writings and these have been continuously deified. *Datang Sanzang Qujing Shihua* (The Poetic *Tale of the Procurement of Scriptures by Tripitaka of the Great Tang*), written in about the 10ᵗʰ (or 12ᵗʰ) century CE, already turned Xuanzang’s deeds into a fairy tale. In late 10ᵗʰ century CE or later, the play of Tang Sanzang was already performed in public. In the 14ᵗʰ century CE, *Xiyouji*, a drama composed by Yang Jingxian (14ᵗʰ century CE), was available for public performance, and meanwhile, a novel of the same name was also in circulation. All these indicate that Wu Cheng’en composed *The Journey to the West* on the basis of various folk tales.