An exhibition in Hangzhou displays some of their discoveries, including rubbings of rarely known inscriptions, field work photos and a
documentary video.
“The project started out as supporting research for studies of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) during which Hangzhou was taken as the
capital,” said Xu Li, a professor from the Central Academy of Fine Arts
who led in the project. “I think these inscriptions offer a brand-new
vision for understanding that period.”
Their search was based on inscriptions recorded in two books published in the 18th and 19th century, which faithfully described the
size, location and content of each engraving.
The key search area included Baoshi Hill, Lingyin Hill, the Southern and Northern Peaks, Jiuyao Hill, Nanping Hill and Fenghuang Hill where
the Southern Song emperors built their palace.
Around 90 inscriptions were found still in existence, some found for the first time and not seen in any previous recordings.“We were very
lucky to find the same inscriptions that people a few hundred years ago
had found in the same place,” said Xu.The dates of the inscriptions
extend over a period of 1,000 years from the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907)
in the 9th century to the early 20th century.A great many are accounts
by scholars, officials and even the emperor concerning a trip, a certain
event or expressions of personal mood, varying from a few words to full
passages.
A 77-centimeter-high inscription written by the first and founding king of the Wuyue Kingdom Qian Liu was thought to have been lost, but
was rediscovered in 1995. It was made to record the date when Qian built
an altar there. Interestingly, the title he was given in it, as the
“King of Wuyue,” appeared even earlier than what was officially
conferred to him.
“I think that showed his ambition and assertiveness,” said Xu.Another notable inscription is from Zhao Gou, first emperor of the
Southern Song Dynasty.The gigantic two characters zhongshi (??, loyalty)
were said to be written on his 40th birthday, five years after he made
an order to imprison and execute General Yue Fei, who defeated the
invading Jin people on the northern border of the empire.
General Yue, who was buried in Hangzhou, was probably the best known and loved historical figure for local people since his death. A temple
was built for him, and a local street food was created to express their
resentment of his persecutor. But rarely known or discussed was the
sentiment of the emperor himself, since it was never an issue in
official accounts.
“When we visited the inscription that day, we got a bit sentimental, as we tried to figure out his sentiments when he wrote this down,” said
Xu. “As people living here now, we have never been so close to
history.”If Xu’s display reveals the rich historical past of West Lake,
photographs from Guo Xiqi, Shao Dalang and his family at the exhibition
are evidence of the lake’s eternal beauty.
Guo was an early Chinese photographer whose images of the lake were gathered and published in a 1947 book.In it you can find most of the
landscapes and cultural scenes of West Lake we know today — the
snow-laden Bai Causeway, General Yue’s tomb, Longjing Village and the
quiet and a bit barren Huxin Pavilion Island.
Some have faded into the mists of time. Zhaoqing Temple, once a major temple in Hangzhou, is now a name that youngsters have barely
heard of. It was destroyed in a fire and later demolished gradually
along with the modern development of the city. What has remained
unchanged is the lake itself.
