Yoshida Tora is Professor at Risshô University, Tokyo, and has published numerous articles and books on the social and economic history of China.

Hans Ulrich Vogel is Associate Professor at the Institute of Chinese Studies of the University of Heidelberg and collaborator of the Needham Research Institute in Cambridge.

The Aobo tu, the 'Illustrated Boiling of Sea Water', was completed and published by Chen Chun in 1334. It is the world's earliest extant work exclusively dealing with salt production and salt production techniques. The first part of this book focuses on the technical, fiscal, administrative, social and economic background of the Aobo tu. It also provides the reader with information on the various editions and related material. This is followed by a complete annotated translation and the reproduction of two different sets of illustrations. By combining research on various aspects of the salt industry during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) periods, a better understanding of the fiscal and economic importance of this crucial sector can be gained.