RareBooks in National Palace Museum, Song dynasty part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of rare books from the Song dynasty! These texts were written by some of China's most influential scholars, and they provide us with a unique insight into Chinese culture during this period. You will find commentaries on ancient classics such as The Book of Mencius, memoirs from Zhao Gongwu who fled K'ai-feng when it was invaded in 1126, anthologies of works by Master Zhu Xi and Du Fu’s Poetry with Annotations. There are also commentaries on the Rites of Chou, Principal Meaning to The Book Of Etiquette And Ceremony, Erh-ya philology text, Illustrated Text Of The Hsuan-ho Emissary To Korea and Six Writings By Master K'ung. These books offer a fascinating look into the past and can help high schoolers gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Come explore these incredible artifacts today!

1. Exegeses on the Book of Mencius

The study of the Classics is one of the sources of knowledge of Chinese culture. A large number of notes and commentaries have been left by many talented scholars over the ages. These texts were transcribed by hand until the spread of woodblock printing.

2. Memoirs of Master Chao-te's Readings in the Chun Studio

Zhao Gongwu was a native of Shandong, China who resided in the Chao-te ward of the capital K'ai-feng (Pien-liang). After enemy Jin forces invaded the Song capital in 1126, he fled with his family to Sichuan.

3. New Imprint of the Grand and Illuminous Explication of Huai-nan-tzu

"Huai-nan-tzu" was written during the Western Han dynasty by Liu An, a member of the imperial clan.

4. New Revised Imprint of Du Fu's Poetry with Annotations

Du Fu (712-770) was one of the greatest poets in Chinese history. He lived through one of the most tumultuous periods of the Tang dynasty, witnessing the An Lu-shan rebellion and the restoration of imperial rule.

5. Anthology of Works by Master Zhu Xi

Zhu Xi (1130-1200) was a Chinese philosopher who incorporated ideas from the "Loyang School" founded by the Ch'eng brothers, Ch'eng I and Ch'eng Hao.

6. Commentaries on the Rites of Chou

The text is an annotated edition of the traditional Classics, carved into wood based on engraved stone Classics of the Tang dynasty, and includes annotations compiled since the Six Dynasties.

7. Principal Meaning to The Book of Etiquette and Ceremony

Wei Liaoweng was a Song dynasty official who compiled information for his books on the essence of the Classics. His books were later printed in 1252 and placed in the Tz'u-yang Academy. However, in 1276, the books were destroyed during the collapse of the Song dynasty.

8. Erh-ya

The "Erh-ya" is an ancient text devoted to philology, but the identity of the author(s) still remains unclear today. The Qing (1644-1911) editors of the "Ssu-k'u ch'uan-shu" (Complete Library of the Four Tre

9. Illustrated Text of the Hsuan-ho Emissary to Korea

Geographical and travel texts are very old in China, going back to when the Shang and Zhou dynasties ruled (17th-3rd c. BC). Back then, there were officials whose job it was to put together these texts.

10. Six Writings by Master K'ung