Preface to the Orchid Pavilion

Author: Ji Yaping (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This book is a special collection from the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department of the National Library of China, one of the selected calligraphy and stone inscriptions by Liang Qichao. The series features famous steles and calligraphy created by Liang Qichao, with exquisite printing craftsmanship, prioritizing Ming or Qing Dynasty (Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns) editions. It also includes Liang Rengong's own inscriptions, providing historical and literary context. The series is beneficial for calligraphy enthusiasts to study ancient classics, for collectors of stone inscriptions and documents to cross-reference and verify, and for scholars interested in Liang Rengong to broaden their perspectives and discover new historical facts. This volume is the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion." This printing is a single-carved edition, composed and written by Wang Xizhi of the Jin Dynasty. There are numerous transmitted copies of this text, primarily based on the imitations by Ouyang Xun, known as the "Dingwu Edition." Others include the "Chu Imitation," "Zhang Jinjienan Imitation," "Shenlong Half- Seal Edition," "Yingshang Edition," "Dongyang Edition," and "Shangdang Edition." The Dongyang Edition, also known as the He Family Edition, originally had two carved stone fragments. After being unearthed in Yangzhou during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty and acquired by He Shiyin, it was mounted on wood with a preface by Zhang Yuanbian. The Ming Dynasty late Qing Dynasty printing had the stone split into five parts. The collection in the library is from the Ming Dynasty, without a date, and the cover is inscribed with "Former Collection of the 500-Four Peaks Studio, Dongyang He Family's True Orchid Pavilion Copy." It is a mounted copy, three sections. 24 cm tall, 11 cm wide. The title slip is inscribed by Li Jin. The seals include: "Yinbing Studio Collection," "Five Hundred Four Peaks Long," "Li Jin Private Seal," "Qichao," "Moxing Appreciation," "Rengong," "Yu Yuan," "Si Yuan Treasure Collection," "Le," "Ci," "Xinhui Liang Family," and "Qichao Private Seal." Li Jin and Liang Qichao successively owned it, accompanied by inscriptions by Yi Bingshou, Guo Lejiao's red calligraphy (faint), and three inscriptions by Liang Qichao.