Su Yuan Stone Spectrum

Author: [Ming] Lin Youlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: China has a long tradition of appreciating stones. In the Book of Documents·Yu Gong, there is a record of the tribute "lead pine strange stones" from Qingzhou. This tradition continued through the dynasties. By the Sui and Tang dynasties, this custom flourished, especially as seen in Bai Juyi's Record of Taihu Stones, which introduced the pinnacle of stone appreciation in Tang Dynasty. It even classified the ranks of appreciated stones, reflecting the development of stone appreciation culture in Tang Dynasty. By the Song Dynasty, the appreciation and playing of stones had become a widespread trend, with renowned scholars like Mi Fu, Su Shi, Ouyang Xiu, and Wang Anshi actively engaging in the activities of evaluating and admiring rare stones. The Stone Spectrum of Su Yuan collects 102 types (categories) of famous stones, featuring 249 stone paintings of varying sizes, and is widely recognized as the earliest and most comprehensive surviving illustrated stone catalog. The greatest feature of this book is its illustration and text, with the author claiming to "review ancient and modern books," writing and describing "peaks and strange stones that resonate with his heart," and adding inscriptions and poems afterward. However, the stones recorded in the book are basically limited to those "small enough to be entertaining."