A Centennial Review of Leo Tolstoy Studies in China

It has been more than 120 years since Leo Tolstoy’s works first appeared in China in 1900. This paper aims to show the development of Tolstoy scholarship in China and the status of each historical stage. Tolstoy studies in China have gone through four historical stages, which run through the important historical stages of modern China. In this paper, the quantity and quality of relevant literature will be counted and assessed from a historical perspective, using the methods of literature review and quantitative research, in order to systematically review the development of academic research on Leo Tolstoy in China. By analyzing the representative works of each historical stage and combining them with the social and historical background of the time, we show the inner development path and development motives of Tolstoy studies at each stage. In recent years, the research interest in Tolstoy in China has been declining. This article presents a comprehensive scholarly history of Tolstoy studies in China. It not only provides an in-depth analysis of the research outcomes of Chinese scholars but also identifies emerging avenues for further research in Tolstoy studies. This is particularly relevant considering the declining interest in the writer, which offers opportunities for new insights and approaches. The article also serves as a valuable reference for the study of other classic Russian writers.