"Interpretation of the Yingzao Fashi"

Author: Pan Guxi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: The Construction Methods of Ancient China is a classic that represents the pinnacle of ancient Chinese construction science and art. It records valuable information about the systems, techniques, labor, and drawings of Song Dynasty architecture, holding profound significance for the study of Chinese architecture and understanding its philosophy and spirit. Following Mr. Liang Sicheng's Annotations on the Construction Methods of Ancient China and Mr. Chen Mingda's Research on the Timber Structure of the Construction Methods of Ancient China, Mr. Pan Guxi and Mr. He Jianzhong, after years of research and practice, combined existing ancient building examples and archaeological discoveries to write this book, proposing original insights. The content covers all the 13 trades recorded in The Construction Methods of Ancient China (Moat Encampment, Stone Work, Timber Structure, Small Timber Work, Carving, Turning, Sawing, Bamboo Work, Mud Work, Color Painting, Brick Work, Kiln Work), providing a comprehensive interpretation of the book. The authors do not merely annotate The Construction Methods of Ancient China volume by volume and article by article, but instead conduct substantive analysis and introduction of the engineering methods of each trade recorded in the book, expressing them in modern language and graphical methods to help readers overcome the obstacles of ancient terminology and text, gaining a correct understanding of Song Dynasty architecture and The Construction Methods of Ancient China itself. The authors examine from multiple perspectives—engineering, functionality, art, and technology—to strive for a correct interpretation and expression of the rich connotations of The Construction Methods of Ancient China, avoiding misinterpretations caused by one-sided thinking. The book is richly illustrated with carefully drawn line diagrams, color painting reconstructions, and a collection of photographs accumulated over the years. It also includes a version of The Construction Methods of Ancient China, collation and index, explanations of Song Dynasty architectural terminology, and discussions on ten issues from Research on the Timber Structure of the Construction Methods of Ancient China. This book is suitable for reference by scholars of architectural history, architects, cultural heritage preservation workers, archaeologists, landscape architects and managers, stage designers, and others engaged in research. It can also serve as a reference reading for postgraduate students in architectural history and theory.