Portrait of Water Margin Characters: Water Margin Story Illustrated (Book Rhyme Series)

Author: (Ming) Du Jin and others painted
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-02-01
Features: The fan-shaped book (jiuxiangben) originated in the Southern Studio and flourished during the Song Dynasty. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, new designs have emerged in each generation. The term "jiuxiang" refers to the small portable boxes used in ancient times to store miscellaneous items like handkerchiefs and towels. Travelers and scholars carried these books with them, reading them at any time. Thus, the small size of the jiuxiangben allowed them to be stored in these boxes. They were convenient to carry while traveling and easy to read while resting, providing leisurely enjoyment. Although the jiuxiangben is considered the younger sibling in the world of books, it is highly regarded for embodying the spirit of Confucius's "Learn and practice in due time," and its contributions are significant. Unfortunately, in modern times, Western influences have spread eastward, and books have become increasingly favoring Western bindings. Following this trend, books have become heavier and more cumbersome. Carrying them is like a burden, and reading them while lying down is difficult. Worse still, some publishers prioritize profit over quality, favoring expensive boxes over valuable books, misleading readers and drifting far from the true essence of reading. The Ancient Society's jiuxiangben series was created with purpose, drawing on the successes and failures of past jiuxiangben to return to simplicity and elegance, promoting national culture: the design should be small yet complete, the price should be affordable yet select the best editions, the selection should be appropriate yet emphasize personality and charm, and the layout should be meticulous yet dynamic. This is what is meant by investing great effort and heart into a small series, making it so captivating that one cannot put it down. Mountains are not high when they are inhabited by immortals; books are not expensive when they possess character. Therefore, the series is named "Shuyunxi" (Book Charm Abode), and refined gentlemen will surely appreciate its depth. This is the preface.
Since its inception, Water Margin has been deeply loved by the masses, and countless artworks related to it have emerged, especially the famous Ming Dynasty watermargin character illustrations by Du Jin and the Water Margin story illustrations from Rong Yu Studio during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, which are renowned for their exquisite lines, vivid depictions of characters and plots, and profound influence. These two works vividly recreate the characters and stories of the original book with refined and expressive lines, possessing high artistic appreciation and collection value. For this publication, renowned scholars have written humorous and engaging praises for the watermargin characters, and for the first time, the book is printed in a double-color fan-shaped book (jiuxiangben) format, offering a fresh and exciting experience.