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Lanting Xu (also known as Lanting JiXu
)
is the "Preface to the Lanting Collection of Poems,"
composed and hand-written by the great Chinese calligrapher, Wang XiZhi
in which he described a Summer Outing at a place called Lanting.
When Did This Occur?
In the Third Month of 9-th Year, Reign of Yong He, East Jin Dynasty.
It was in the Year 353 AD by the Western calendar.
The time is late Spring.
Where Did It Take Place?
At a place called Lanting, on the out skirts of the Town of ShaoXing, which is about 90 minutes by train from HangZhou. (See map) Lanting is a small Roadside Shelter, like the modern day bus stop, originally built during the Han Dynasty.
The word "lan" means orchids, and "ting" means pavilion; so the structure is
also known as the "Orchard Pavilion."
Full text in fanti [BIG5] | jianti [gb]
Eight Pillars Pavillion of Lanting
The original of Wang's Lanting was long lost. There are 3 known copies of the original in existance.
The original Lanting Xu
by 王羲之 was, according to legend, buried with Emperor
唐 太 宗 when he died.
The three copies that exist to-date were later copies written by
虞 世 南 ， 褚 遂 良 ， 馮 承 素 。
Ref:The Shanghai Bookstore, ( ISBN 7-80569-341-2/J.140 )
Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty [
] was a great admirer of Wang Xizhi, and he
built a special Pavilion, now known as Eight Pillars Pavilion of Lanting
(Partial - Panel 1 - Lower portion cut off)
Complete Lanting Xu
The complete calligraphy is presented here.
Wang Xizhi Page
| Calligraphy Page
