Brief Valediction

With this volume, my editorship of the Journal of Song-Yuan Studies hereby concludes. Thus, albeit insufficient, I express my deepest gratitude for the humbling privilege of having served over the past six years in this unique capacity. I am also grateful for the boundless support I have received from all constituencies during my tenure—from past editors and guest editors, from board and production colleagues, from contributors and reviewers, from printer and readership. I am incapable of supplying all names of those who have in one manner or another assisted me. Moreover, even to attempt it would result in a declaration of transition that is much the opposite of the brief one I here intend. Nonetheless, for the sake of safe passage into the immediate future, at least one name is crucial to provide. Therefore, I announce with utmost confidence that I will be succeeded in the editorship by Ari Daniel Levine, and I urge that we endeavor to assist him universally in his new role. In this way, the standards of scholarship to which we are all now accustomed and that we have grown to expect will be not only sustained but, ideally, even exceeded.

With any luck on my part, readers will find that the present volume exemplifies these cherished standards of scholarly attainment that we hold dear. In this iteration of the Journal, which is as copious as any of the recent past, readers will find nine feature articles that—with consummate refinement—explore and elucidate some of the most intriguing topics of investigation pertaining to the Song and Yuan periods. An additional highlight herein is the revival of the research report, which—by revisiting a question thought largely settled—not only furnishes a tenth essay of a different sort but refreshes our thinking in ways that perhaps merit continuation. With due thanks for the soliciting labors of Brian Vivier as book review editor, readers will find eight insightful reviews of the most current books in our field. As always, my hope is merely that there is at least something edifying to be found within these pages by everyone.

However, in closing, I once again thank all parties for the unanticipated distinction of having shepherded six volumes of our beloved Journal into existence. In doing so, in ways simply too numerous to list, I have profited enormously from the unfailing cooperation and assistance of every one of you. Persuaded as I am that the Journal is securely in good hands going forward into the future, it has been nothing short of utterly rewarding for me to have served alongside kindred colleagues whose collective commitment to our mission continues to stand as the aspirational model for my own.

DJW
August, 2016