近出昔鸡簋铭文及相关史实考论

On the Inscription of Xiji Gui and Related Historical Facts

昔鸡簋是近年出土于陕西岐山的西周早期青铜器,对其铭文的释读,学者存有争议。本文认为,铭文中判断人物身份的"■"字,应隶定为"■",从?得声,读如"偃",为传世文献中的姞姓燕国;关涉史事性质的"■"字,应释为"御",训作"迎",为迎娶、迎迓之意。铭文内容主要为周王后派昔鸡前往姞姓燕国为王朝大夫艿氏迎迓夫人,昔鸡受到燕侯赏赐作器颂扬王休。铭文既是有关西周贵族艿氏及南燕国弥足珍贵的史料,也反映出周王后通过对贵族夫人的支配来控制地方贵族,是西周王朝政治运行机制中命妇制的金文佐证。

Xiji Gui( 昔鸡簋) is a bronze vessel dated to Zhou dynasty, which is discovered in Shanxi Province in recent years. This study provides some new interpretations of some key characters in the inscription on that vessel. Yan(■) is identified as liu(■) and reads as yan, which refers to the Southern Yan kingdom ruled by the Ji( 姞) clan that can be seen in the handed down historical documents. Yu(■)is identified as yu( 御), meaning of marriage and reception. The main content of this inscription is about that the Queen of the Zhou dynasty sent Xiji to Southern Yan kingdom to welcome the bride of a high level Zhou official and Xiji expressed his heartfelt thanks to the king of Yan. This inscription retains historical materials about Zhou nobles and kingdom Yan. In addition, it is a newer evidence about the control of the Queen of Zhou over the aristocrats through controlling the marriage of the noble ladies.