The International Journal of Asian Studies has published four seminal articles by Japanese scholars of the history of Chinese law (2004–2007). In this issue and the next, an eminent French scholar will analyse and review the articles, adding his perspective to the questions already raised. Part One looks mainly at Shigeo Nakamura's article “Was Traditional Chinese Law a Mere ‘Model’?” and at Osamu Takamizawa's article “Legal Troubles and their Resolution in China: The Interaction of shuolizhe and Xinfuzhe.” The remaining articles, by Hiroaki Terada and Susumu Fuma, will be treated in the next issue.