Huya 湖雅

Huya 湖雅 is a glossary and dictionary of local products of Huzhou 湖州, Zhejiang, written by Wang Yuezhen 汪曰楨 (1813-1881), courtesy name Gangmu 剛木, style Xiecheng 謝誠 or Xinfu 薪甫, from Wucheng 烏程, Zhejiang. He was educational instructor (jiaoyu 教諭) of Guiji 會嵇, Zhejiang, in the mid-19th century and was very interested in history, linguistics, and mathematics. This can be seen in his many writings, like Lidai changshu jiyao 歷代長術輯要, Sisheng qieyun biao buzheng 四聲切韻表補正, Ruji yinmeng 如積引蒙, and the gazetteers Wucheng xian zhi 烏程縣誌 and Nanxun zhen zhi 南潯鎮志. Wang's collected poems are called Yujiantang shicun 玉鑒堂詩存 and Liji shicun 櫟寄詩存.

The title of his book on imitates the glossary books Piya 埤雅 and Eryayi 爾雅翼 which also include and define terms used in daily life. He compiled this diet glossary as part of the local gazetteer of the prefecture, Huzhou fu zhi 湖州府志, namely the chapter on local produce (Wuchan 物產). The glossary was finished in 1872 and first printed and published separately in 1877.

The Huya has a length of 9 juan, of which the first explains the grains and vegetables of the region, the second one gourds, fruits, and tea, and juan 3 recipes for medical purposes, and local flowers. Part 4 talks of herbs, trees, and bamboos of the region. Mammals are the topic of juan 5, while fish, shells, and lower creatures are the focus of fascicle 6. This part is followed by the explanation of metals, stones, and textiles produced in Huzhou. The culinary part of the book is found in chapter 8, while fascicle 9 expounds on tools, carts, boats, and fuels.