Dong Qichang's Calligraphy: "On Learning"

Author: Dong Qichang (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book is based on the Japanese edition of "Dong Qichang's Exhortation to Learning." The original book, except for the title, contains a total of 88 characters in the main text. At the end of the book, there is a signature of "Dong Qichang" in three characters, accompanied by 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 originally written as follows: "Parents raise their children but if the children are not taught, it is not loving them strictly; this is also not loving their children. Parents teach but the children do not learn, it is the children who do not love themselves. Although they learn but do not work hard, it is also not loving themselves. Therefore, to raise children, one must teach; to teach, one must be strict; to be strict, one must work hard; to work hard, one must succeed. Learning, then the children of commoners can become officials; not learning, then the children of officials can become commoners." This disorganization is likely due to careless engraving and printing, resulting in textual confusion. At the same time, in the Ming Dynasty edition of "The True Treasure of Classical Prose," there is also an essay titled "Exhortation to Learning," attributed to the Song Dynasty writer Liu Yong. The content of this essay is the same as the one 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, it is not loving them. Although they teach but are not strict, it is also not loving them. Parents teach but the children do not learn, it is the children who do not love themselves. Although they learn but do not work hard, it is also not loving themselves. Therefore, to raise children, one must teach; to teach, one must be strict; to be strict, one must work hard; to work hard, one must succeed. Learning, then the children of commoners can become officials; not learning, then the children of officials can become commoners." Clearly, this should be the original version of Dong Qichang's "Exhortation to Learning." Therefore, although the Japanese edition is titled "Dong Qichang's Exhortation to Learning," it does not prove that the essay is Dong Qichang's work. Additionally, although "The True Treasure of Classical Prose" temporarily names this book "Dong Qichang's Writings,"