Imperial Composition: Ode to the Mountain Resort for Summer Avoidance

Author: Aisin Gioro Xuanye (Qing), Aisin Gioro Hongli compiled, Shen Yu illustrated
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the "Chengde Imperial Palace" or "Rehe Summer Palace," is located in the northern part of Chengde City, Hebei Province today. It was initially constructed in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign (1703) and completed in the 57th year of the Qianlong reign (1792). It served as the imperial palace for Qing emperors to escape the heat and govern. The resort boasts a grand architectural scale, blending northern and southern Chinese architectural styles, and remains remarkably well-preserved to this day. Imperial Poems for the Thirty-Six Scenic Spots of the Chengde Mountain Resort, a printed edition from the 51st year of the Kangxi reign (1712). This book collects poems, ci, and qu works composed by Kangxi, titled after the imperial inscriptions he bestowed upon the thirty-six scenic spots of the resort, with one illustration for each scene. By the 6th year of the Qianlong reign (1741), Emperor Hongli, while on a tour, composed poems in the same rhyme scheme as Kangxi's and added them to the Imperial Poems for the Thirty-Six Scenic Spots of the Chengde Mountain Resort, which was then reprinted and published by the Imperial Household Department under the title Imperial Poems in Honor of the Chengde Mountain Resort Illustrated. This book is a photomechanical reproduction of the 1921 reprint from Tao's Xiaoshengyuan in Wujin. It includes the literary works of both Kangxi and Qianlong for the thirty-six scenic spots of the resort. Each spot features one original poem by Kangxi and one complementary poem by Qianlong, with annotations and illustrations. Additionally, after the titles of Kangxi's poems, there are prefaces providing brief introductions to the locations and characteristics of the scenic spots. The book is meticulously edited, with excellent calligraphy, carving, and illustrations, fully reflecting the style of early Qing Imperial Household Department prints. The book is divided into two volumes, with prefaces by Kangxi and Qianlong at the beginning of each volume, and postscripts by participants in the book's creation, such as Kao Yufeng (who assisted Kangxi in calligraphy), Kui Xu, and Ertai, at the end. The characters, as was employed by Kangxi for calligraphy and participated in carving the Imperial Poems for the Farming and Weaving Pictures, it is inferred that the illustrations were used for the carved edition. For this publication, the same principles as the Imperial Household Department prints are followed, with the inner cover and prefaces printed in red to delight the readers.