Dong Qichang's Calligraphy: "On the Importance of Learning"

Author: (Ming) Dong Qichang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book is based on the Japanese edition of "Dong Qichang's Exhortation to Learning." The original book, excluding the title, contains eighty-eight characters in the main text. At the end, there is a signature of "Dong Qichang" and two seals: one reads "Dong Shi Xuanzai," and the other reads "Tai Shi Shi." The first part of the main text is disorganized, with fragmented sentences and typographical errors. The text before the punctuation was as follows: "Parents raise their children but the children, though taught, do not learn—this is not loving them strictly; this is also not loving their children. Parents teach but the children do not learn—this is the children not loving themselves. Though they learn but do not study diligently—this is also not loving themselves. Therefore, to raise children, one must teach; to teach, one must be strict; to be strict, one must study diligently; to study diligently, one will succeed. To learn, the children of commoners may become officials; not to learn, the children of officials may become commoners." This disorganization is likely due to careless engraving and printing, resulting in textual confusion. At the same time, in the Ming-era engraved book "True Treasure of Classical Prose," there is also an "Exhortation to Learning" attributed to the Song Dynasty's Liu Yong. Its content is the same as the "Exhortation to Learning" written by Dong Qichang, but the text is not disorganized, and the sentences are coherent. After punctuation, it reads: "Parents raise their children but do not teach—this is not loving them. Though they teach but do not discipline, this is also not loving them. Parents teach but the children do not learn—this is the children not loving themselves. Though they learn but do not study diligently, this is also not loving themselves. Therefore, to raise children, one must teach; to teach, one must be strict; to be strict, one must study diligently; to study diligently, one will succeed. To learn, the children of commoners may become officials; not to learn, the children of officials may become commoners." Clearly, this should be the original version of Dong Qichang's "Exhortation to Learning." Thus, although the Japanese edition is titled "Dong Qichang's Exhortation to Learning," it does not prove that the text is Dong Qichang's work. Additionally, although "True Treasure of Classical Prose" temporarily names this book "Dong Qichang's Writings,"