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 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 and Illustrated Text Of The Hsuan-ho Emissary To Korea. Finally there is Six Writings By Master K'ung which was written after Confucius descendant Kong Duanyou moved south following the fall Northern Song Dynasty in 1126. We invite you to explore these incredible artifacts and gain an understanding of the rich history of the Song dynasty!

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 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, a native of Shandong, lived in the Chao-te ward of the capital K'ai-feng (Pien-liang). After the 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 in the Western Han dynasty (206 BC-9 AD) by Liu An, a member of the imperial clan.

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

Du Fu was one of the most famous poets in Chinese history. He lived during a time of great upheaval, when the An Lu-shan rebellion and the restoration of imperial rule took place. His poetry often reflects his concern for the country and his views on life.

5. Anthology of Works by Master Zhu Xi

Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries. He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Chinese metaphysics. Zhu Xi was born in Nanping County, Fujian province, and died in Cangzhou.

6. Commentaries on the Rites of Chou

The Annotated Classic of Rites is a book that is divided into 50 chapters. This book is different from other editions of the Classic of Rites because it only has commentaries and no actual text. This makes it an important book for studying Chinese history and culture.

7. Principal Meaning to The Book of Etiquette and Ceremony

Wei Liaoweng got a degree that let him work for the government in 1199. He worked for the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) until he got in trouble with the prime minister. Then he was sent to work in the countryside.

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

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

Geographical and travel texts have a long history in China, extending back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties (17th-3rd c. BC). These texts were a way for ancient Chinese to learn about foreign matters.

10. Six Writings by Master K'ung