《周礼·司几筵》五席及萑苇席考

A study on five mats and reed mats in The Rites of Zhou Mat

《周礼·司几筵》中"筵""席"浑言可通,二名一物;析言有异,先设者为筵,后加者为席。既明"筵""席"之名,又考五席与萑苇席之名用,可知司几筵所掌五席及萑苇席以质料或特征突出者命名,可明司几筵所掌筵席之重数、尊卑之等差,贾氏所谓"以丧中非常,故不数"之意,即萑苇席多用于丧事,五席则非,故萑苇席未入五席之列。

The “bamboo mat” and “mat” in The Rites of Zhou Mat are generally the same. Although there are two different names, they are the same thing. In other words, the first one to be laid on the ground is called the “bamboo mat”, and the second one to be laid on the bamboo mat is called the “mat”. As we know the differences between bamboo mats and mats, and study the names and purposes of the five mats and reed mats. Therefore, we can understand that the five mats and reed mat charged by Mat are all named as per the materials and some prominent features, and also clear the number of mats charged by the Mat and the noble and lowly of mats, as well as know the meaning of “Because funerals are special, the mats are not counted” said by Jia. That s to say, reed mats are mostly used for funerals, while five mats are not. Therefore, the reed mat is not listed in the five mats.