Engraved Illustrations of the Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: Lai Xinxia
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: China is a country with a profound cultural heritage and a large number of ancient books. However, with the passage of time, some books have gradually become lost and are difficult to find. Others have become increasingly rare and are not accessible to the general public, leading to a situation where valuable treasures are hidden away and fail to circulate. This contradiction has long been a concern for the wise and knowledgeable individuals who care about the continuity of ancient books and the transmission of traditional culture.
Recently, the relevant authorities of the state recognized this issue and invested heavily to establish the "National Reconstruction of Fine Books Project," entrusting the National Library to recreate rare books that people long to see but cannot access. The results have been excellent. This approach not only reduces the usage of rare books, preserving and protecting them from damage but also allows readers across the country to appreciate their appearance and content, achieving a win-win situation. It is indeed a meritorious act that benefits culture. This has prompted me to think more deeply: if more collectors and publishers could organize the republication of ancient books that appeal to a broader audience, wouldn’t that be even better?
I have pondered this question and planned to implement a small-scale "reconstruction project," selecting some ancient books that are close to life and the people. These books would be published in sets, retaining their original appearance while adding new touches, to shine more light on Chinese culture.
Coincidentally, the deputy editor-in-chief of Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing visited and discussed their plan to publish a new series of "Old Materials Books" based on their previously published "Old Materials Series," inviting me to serve as the chief editor of this new series. Given my consensus on this idea and the fact that the deputy editor-in-chief is a graduate of Nankai University, both on a personal and rational level, I accepted the invitation and discussed the progress of the work together.
Although this series of books, due to the difficulties in collection, cannot form a specialized thematic series, it still holds significance for republication. First, from the perspective of art appreciation, the selected original texts are mostly valuable works of art, such as the portraits of Ming and Qing dynasty masters Qiu Ying and Gai Qi. The two painting technique books are also useful for those aspiring to pursue a career in art. Second, the selected books are popular among the public, but since they are relatively rare and the original copies are expensive, acquiring and borrowing them is not easy. This makes the project more accessible to the public compared to the state’s "National Reconstruction of Fine Books Project," with lower prices that are easier for people to afford, thus playing a role in popularizing traditional culture. Third, some of the books collected in this series can contribute to academic research. For example, "Portraits of Qing Dynasty Scholars" provides visual materials for the study of Qing history, while "Illustrated Compendium of Dream of the Red Chamber" can serve as both a reference for "Red Studies" research and a guide for readers of the book, deepening their understanding of the complex cast of characters. As for the two books on painting techniques, they are suitable for beginners and those practicing, and can also enhance the appreciation of traditional Chinese painting techniques for general readers.
—Editor (Preface)