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 texts are sure to provide an interesting and educational look into the history of China during the Song dynasty. We hope you enjoy exploring these incredible artifacts!

1. Exegeses on the Book of Mencius

The traditional study of the Classics is one of the sources of knowledge of Chinese culture. A large number of notes and commentaries has 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

Mr. Chao-te (Zhao Gongwu) was a man from Shandong who lived in the Chao-te ward of the capital K'ai-feng during the Song dynasty.

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

The Huai-nan-tzu was written by Liu An, a member of the imperial clan, during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC-9 AD). The book consists of 21 "central" volumes and 33 "peripheral" volumes.

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

Du Fu was a great Chinese poet who lived during the An Lu-shan rebellion and the restoration of imperial rule in the mid-8th century.

5. Anthology of Works by Master Zhu Xi

The "Anthology of Works by Master Huian" includes the official Chekiang edition published during the reign of Emperor Ningzong (1195-1223).

6. Commentaries on the Rites of Chou

Woodblock editions of the traditional Classics were made as early as the Five Dynasties (907-960). They were carved into wood based on engraved stone Classics of the Tang dynasty (618-907), and included annotations compiled since the Six Dynasties (220-589).

7. Principal Meaning to The Book of Etiquette and Ceremony

Wei Liaoweng was a scholar who lived during the Southern Song dynasty. He got in trouble with the prime minister and was demoted to a countryside position. Wei Liaoweng then devoted his time to compiling information for his books on the essence of the Classics.

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 have a long history in China. They go back to when specific officials in the Shang and Zhou dynasties (17th-3rd c. BC) dealt with compiling and organizing geographical texts. This book is an imprint from 1167.

10. Six Writings by Master K'ung