세시기(歲時記)란 계절에 따라 민속적인 연중행사를 기록한 것이며, 형초(荊楚)는 지금의 후베이성·후난성 일대를 가리킨다. 옛 구주(九州)의 하나인 형주(荊州)는 춘추전국시대의 초국(楚國)이다. 남북조 시대 종름이 짓고 수나라의 두공첨이 주를 단 이 책 ≪형초세시기(荊楚歲時記)≫는 초나라 풍속과 연중행사를 기록한 것으로, 중국 세시기의 효시다.

형초세시기서(荊楚歲時記序) ············3

정월(正月) ····················11
이월(二月) ····················58
삼월(三月) ····················76
사월(四月) ····················84
오월(五月) ····················91
유월(六月) ···················105
칠월(七月) ···················108
팔월(八月) ···················120
구월(九月) ···················124
시월(十月) ···················127
십일월(十一月) ·················130
십이월(十二月) ·················134
윤월(閏月) ···················154

참고문헌 ····················156

부록
영인본: 흠정사고전서(欽定四庫全書) 사부(史部), 사부비요(四部備要) 사부(史部) ······················161

해설 ······················217
지은이에 대해 ··················269
옮긴이에 대해 ··················273