Fine Art Masterpieces of Chinese National Essence - The Taste of Go

Author: Zhong Pan Ying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Chess, as one of the four great refined arts (qin, qi, shu, hua), was either mastered or at least explored by ancient scholars and literati. Most considered it an essential practice. Otherwise, one might not be considered truly worthy, at least not quite refined. There were even sayings like "though not skilled in calligraphy, one must have fine brushes and inkstones; though not adept at chess, one must have a chessboard ready." Chinese poetry emphasizes that words may be finite, but meaning is boundless, existing beyond the words, like the horns of a gazelle that leave no trace. Chinese painting, within the simple framework of white silk and black ink, contains richer meaning than Western oil paintings with their vibrant colors and bold strokes. Chinese philosophy holds that the highest realm is not having, but being without. All things in the world arise from "having," and "having" arises from "being without." "Being without" is not emptiness; it is a way of existence for things. The connection between chess and the spirit of Chinese art, and its subtle resonance with the qi and dao, yin and yang of classical Chinese philosophy, perfectly reflects the deep roots of chess in ancient Chinese civilization. This book carefully selects nearly two hundred stories about chess from historical records, unofficial histories, and legends from all over the world, both ancient and modern. Each offers different perspectives, gains and losses, and the subtle flavors of life. Let you savor them in this book.