Ride the horse, sail the boat, Shaiqi Town

Author: Li Fangju
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This book takes the architectural layout of the Shanxi-Henan Guild Hall in Shuiqi (Ancient Shexian) as a starting point, vividly and profoundly showcasing the exquisite architectural art treasures within the Shexian Shanxi-Henan Guild Hall complex, including fine carvings, paintings, couplets, and more. It delves into the sophisticated artistic techniques and profound cultural significance of these works. It explores the life aspirations pursued by the guild hall's architectural community, such as reverence for Guan Yu, admiration for integrity, emphasis on literature and virtue, and a pursuit of simplicity and nature, reflecting the deep integration of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist philosophies. It recreates the prosperous commercial landscape of Central China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, depicting the bustling trade routes of merchants from Shaanxi and Shanxi, where boat and tea-horse fairs intertwined. It profoundly reveals the humanistic and commercial cultural connotations behind the guild halls. Additionally, it includes some local legends and historical stories, enriching, complementing, and deepening the humanistic essence of the commercial guild halls, while promoting national spirit. The book combines illustrations with profound text, serving as an accessible introduction to ancient Chinese commercial guild halls and a valuable resource for studying guild hall culture.