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RareBooks in National Palace Museum, Song dynasty part1

3 min read
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

Other Curio in National Palace Museum, part2

Other Curio in National Palace Museum, part2

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios! Here you can explore some of the most unique and interesting artifacts from China's imperial past. Our collection includes a Round Box with Peony Decor Filled-In Lacquerware, a Cloisonne Box with Lotus Decoration, a Glass Inside-Painted Snuff Bottle with a Traveling Scene and a Pair of "Bovet" Pocket Watches with Pearls and Painted Enamel. These pieces are all incredibly detailed and tell us about the culture and lifestyle of people d
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Other Curio in National Palace Museum, part1

Other Curio in National Palace Museum, part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios! Here, you can explore some of the most unique and interesting artifacts from China's imperial past. We have a variety of different curios on display here, including a Brush Holder with Letter-reading Scene, a Silver Raft Cup of "Zhang Qian Riding a Raft" with the mark of Zhu Bishan, Ivory Balls of nested concentric layers with human figures in openwork relief, a Ch'in (Chinese unfretted zither) and a Copper-body Painted Enamel Snuff B
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Curio in National Palace Museum, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) part1

Curio in National Palace Museum, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of curios from the Qing dynasty! This collection features some of the most unique and interesting artifacts from this period, including a Planter with a coral carving of the planetary deity Kuixing, a Gilt flint case with coral-and-turquoise inlay (with carved lacquer box and Qianlong reign mark), a Bamboo Water Container in the Shape of a Lotus Leaf with signature of Zhu Sansong, a Champleve Box with Filigree Work, an Ivory Four-tiered Food-Car
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