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Book/Printed Material Linchuan si meng xun 臨川四夢

[ Volume 1 ]

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[ Volume 2 ]
[ Volume 3 ]

About this Item

Title

  • Linchuan si meng xun

Other Title

  • 臨川四夢

Translated Title

  • The Four Dreams of Linchuan

Summary

  • Linchuan si meng, also called Yumingtang si meng (The four dreams of the Jade Tea Hall), is a collection of four major dramas by the famed Ming-dynasty dramatist Tang Xianzu (1550--1616): Zi chai ji (The story of the purple hairpin), Nan ke ji (Record of southern bough), Handan meng (Record of Handan), and most famously Mu dan ting (The peony pavilion). These dramas are called dreams, because dreams play a large role in the plot of each. Various editions of this collection appeared during the Ming and Qing dynasties, including those published by Shuyetang in Wujun at the end of the Ming dynasty. This edition was edited and issued by Zang Maoxun (1550--1620), also a playwright. The prefaces were written by Tang Xianzu and Zang Maoxun. The illustrations are exquisitely executed, with inscriptions filling the blank spaces on the top. The expressions of portrayed figures are accurate and in proportion to the background and the landscapes. The Peony Pavilion and The Story of the Purple Hairpin have more architectural depictions than in the other plays, and there are more landscapes in Record of Southern Bough and Record of Handan. The illustrations are representative of the renowned Anhui engraving style and superb craftsmanship in the drawing and engraving. Tang Xianzu, a native of Linchuan, Jiangxi, received his provincial examination degree of ju ren at the age of 21 and his jin shi degree more than ten years later. He held official positions in Nanjing, Guangdong, and other places, and retired in 1598 to his hometown, where he devoted himself to writing. His plays are still performed on the Chinese stage, either in adapted but full-text versions, or in selected famous scenes. The National Central Library has several editions of this work, including a Wanli edition (1605) and late-Ming editions that were printed at local bookshops.

Names

  • Tang, Xianzu, 1550-1616 Author

Created / Published

  • Wujun, China : Shuyetang, [1567 to 1644]

Headings

  • -  China
  • -  1567 to 1644
  • -  Chinese classics
  • -  Chinese drama
  • -  Qu (Chinese literature)

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  "Only preface and juan 1 are included in the WDL presentation."--Note extracted from World Digital Library.
  • -  Original resource extent: 8 juan, 16 volumes : illustrations ; 22 x 13.9 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: National Central Library.
  • -  Content in Chinese.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.
  • -  Title revised per Asian Division.--cc28 2023-01-06

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Source Collection

  • Chinese Books, Manuscripts, Maps, and Prints

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021666375

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

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Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Tang, Xianzu, Author. Linchuan Si Meng Xun. [Wujun, China: Shuyetang, to 1644, 1567] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666375/.

APA citation style:

Tang, X. (1567) Linchuan Si Meng Xun. [Wujun, China: Shuyetang, to 1644] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021666375/.

MLA citation style:

Tang, Xianzu, Author. Linchuan Si Meng Xun. [Wujun, China: Shuyetang, to 1644, 1567] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021666375/>.