Information

Bamboo script “Cherished Lessons”

Ink on Paper

Central Scroll
Dimensions: 175cm x 92cm
Seal: Zhao Xin Ming   (Xinming Chen’s personal seal)  ‘Jian Long Zai Tian’ (preface)
Postscript: <Cherished Lessons> has 11 chapters, each one 22 characters. This script originated from the Warring States period of China. Before the invention of paper, words would be written on to bamboo. During his 50^th year, Emperor Wen of Zhou Dynasty, fell ill and passed down <Cherished Lessons> to his son Emperor Wu of Zhou Dynasty before his death.
Text: It is His Majesty’s 50^th ruling year and he was feeling unwell. His Majesty thought about the many days that had passed and reverently transmitted the instructions. On this day (wuzi), the King said, “Fa, I am rapidly getting worse and I fear I will not survive to instruct you. Formerly, when ancestors bestowed teachings it was by recitation. You shall receive it as a written document.”