The Story of a Chinese Study

Author: Wang Zhijian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Throughout history, Chinese scholars and literati have often had the refined custom of naming their studies. As Mr. Shi Shuqing, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Relics Appraisal Committee, said: "A study name is a cultural phenomenon with a long history, high taste, profound meaning, and can be considered a refined hobby of literati throughout the ages." A study is like a window through which we can see the fate of the nation, the rise and fall, and the vicissitudes of the world. This book records one hundred and twenty-eight renowned figures in Chinese history in plain language and with rich illustrations, recounting their anecdotes, romantic tales, and their unique aspirations and turbulent experiences in their studies. It allows readers to appreciate the elegance of these scholars while gaining insights into their character, will, knowledge, and collecting. Through this window of a study, we can see the fate of the nation, the changes, the rise and fall, and the vicissitudes of the world, which is not unlike a mirror of history. Nowadays, the privacy of studies is being gradually diluted by the increasingly open atmosphere. The over one hundred masters of studies compiled in this book are mostly famous literary figures, calligraphers and painters, historians, educators, collectors, writers, poets, and scholars in Chinese history, including some towering figures. The anecdotes, romantic tales, unique aspirations, and turbulent experiences that occurred in their studies are undoubtedly eye-catching highlights. The inscriptions, records, poems, ci poems, fu poems, couplets, and accompanying images, plaques, calligraphy, and seals posted in the studies interplay and complement each other, creating a fascinating scene. People can also appreciate the layout of the study room, the evolution of the study name, and the furnishings of the former residence from a unique perspective. Appreciating the hall names of these elite scholars, one cannot help but imagine them sitting among books, illuminated by the dim light of ancient scrolls, writing with swift strokes, and diligently composing, feeling the elegance of these masters while gaining enlightenment, character, will, knowledge, and collecting benefits. Through this window of a study, we can see the fate of the nation, the changes, the rise and fall, and the vicissitudes of the world, which is not unlike a mirror of history. Nowadays, the privacy of studies is being gradually diluted by the increasingly open atmosphere. The over one hundred masters of studies compiled in this book are mostly famous literary figures, calligraphers and painters, historians, educators, collectors, writers, poets, and scholars in Chinese history, including some towering figures. The anecdotes, romantic tales, unique aspirations, and turbulent experiences that occurred in their studies are undoubtedly eye-catching highlights. The inscriptions, records, poems, ci poems, fu poems, couplets, and accompanying images, plaques, calligraphy, and seals posted in the studies interplay and complement each other, creating a fascinating scene. People can also appreciate the layout of the study room, the evolution of the study name, and the furnishings of the former residence from a unique perspective. Appreciating the hall names of these elite scholars, one cannot help but imagine them sitting among books, illuminated by the dim light of ancient scrolls, writing with swift strokes, and diligently composing, feeling the elegance of these masters while gaining enlightenment, character, will, knowledge, and collecting benefits.