Anecdotes

  • The Legend of Shi Yan and the Birth of Decadent Music

    This legend records musician Shi Yan forced by tyrant King Zhou of Shang to create decadent licentious tunes. Blamed for the dynasty’s fall, he drowned himself by Pu River. Centuries later, ghostly melodies of his music were heard there, recorded in ancient historical texts.

  • A son-in-law’s tale of spontaneity

    During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there lived a distinguished minister named Xi Jian, who held the esteemed position of Grand Commandant. He had a beloved daughter, Xi Xuan, who had just reached a marriageable age. She was not only beautiful but also exceptionally talented. Xi Jian, doting on his daughter, was determined to find…

  • Wang Xizhi’s Goose Exercise

    Wang Xizhi (303-361 CE), the revered “Sage of Calligraphy” of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, is famous not only for his unparalleled art but also for his profound love of geese. This unique passion led him to create a set of health exercises known as the “Goose Exercise,” which contributed to his vitality and artistic…

  • Exchanging Scriptures for Geese

    Wang Xizhi, a preeminent calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, is revered as the “Sage of Calligraphy.” His life was not only marked by extraordinary artistic achievements but also enriched by numerous intriguing anecdotes. Among the most famous tales is “Exchanging Scriptures for Geese,” a story that reflects his artistic sensitivity and zest for…