Dates:2 May, 2007-30 April, 2008
The so-called ancestral shrine is a place where our forefathers are offered sacrifices and worshipped, and often situated in the proximity of one’s home for periodical offering ceremonies to remember the ancestors by, and for keeping in contact with other kinsmen and women. During the Han dynasty, the ancestral shrine used to be called, the dining hall, the temple, the study, the refectory or the family room.
The materials for building Han ancestral shrine can be roughly divided into the earth and timber structure, and the stone structure. Conservations of earth and timber shrines were rather difficult, and none remains extant up to this day. Ancestral shrines built of stones are simply called the stone shrine, or stone memorial. This type of shrines is mostly found in west of Shandong, north of Jiansu and Anhui provinces. To date the most intact establishment is Xiaotangshan Stone Shrine in Changqing, Shandong Province. The Wu Family Ancestral Shrine in Jiaxiang, Shandong is known for its copious repository of portraits and exquisite sculptures, and arguably the most valuable cultural relic of the stone sculpture art of the Han dynasty, rendering it a priceless historic research monument for studying the Han lifestyle, politics, customs, religious beliefs and arts.
The portraits at the Wu Family Ancestral Shrine were documented as early as those found in Jigulu (the Record of Ancient Documents) by Ouyang Xiu, and Jinshilu (the Record of Metal and Stone) by Zhao Mingcheng. Writer Hong Gua of the south Song dynasty catalogued part of the inscriptions, drawings and portraits in Lishi and Lixu, titled “The Wuliang Ancestral Shrine Portraits.” The shrine was submerged underground due to the flooding of the Yellow River, and was excavated by famed seal cutter, Huang Yi in the 51st year of Emperor Qianlong (1786) and returned to the archaeological spotlight.
The Wu Family Ancestral Shrine lies in the north of Wuzhai Mountain in Zhifang Township, Jiaxiang County of Shandong Province. Built in the east Han era, the shrine was built entirely in stone. During the end of Qing dynasty and the early national government period, a handful of portraits and building stones from the graves of the Wu clan were shipped overseas. Currently the extant collection from the Wu Family Graves include: two stone watchtowers, a pair of stone lions, about 40 portraits in the shrine, and excavated articles from the 1st and 2nd grave.
This particular exhibition features mostly the portraits, stone carvings and books of rubbings of the Wu Family Ancestral Shrine. The showroom layout is largely a replica of stone vaults of the Shrine designed by Mr. Jiang Yingju; the exhibition is arranged with each stone recess as a unit, displaying portraits and books of rubbings in Wuliang Shrine, the anterior stone recess and the left recess. Some of the most mportant historic documents on Wurong Stele, Wuban Stele, and Wu Family Ancestral Shrine would also be on display。
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West Wall (Wu Liang Shrine Ⅲ)
Resource Identifier:27351
Description:The scene is divided into five registers:
The first register (triangular gable) shows the Queen Mother of the West sitting in the middle, accompanied by winged immortals, sacred beasts, and hares grinding the elixir of immortality in a mortar.
The second register (from right to left) portrays the legendary Sovereigns of ancient times, starting with Fuhsi with his female counterpart, Nüwa, and followed by Chujong, Shênnung, Huangti, Chuanhsü, K’u, Yao, Shun, Yü, and Chieh.
The third register (from left to right) illustrates stories of filial piety, starting with Ting Lan, Laitzu, Min Tzuch’ien, and Tsêngtzu’s mother dropping her weaving shuttle.
The fourth register (from left to right) illustrates stories of Ching K’ê’s attempt to assassinate the King of Ch’in, Chuan Chu assassinating the King of Wu, and Ts’ao Mei seizing Duke Huan of Ch’i.
The fifth register illustrates a procession of chariots, horsemen, and footmen.
Format:rubbing:159×137cm
Coverage:Locatin:Wuzhai Shan Mountain, in the Zhifang Township of Jiaxiang County, Shandong Province. |
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Rear Wall (Wu Liang Shrine I)
Resource Identifier:27353
Description:The scene is divided into four registers:
The first register (from left to right) illustrates four stories involving the wife of King Chao of Ch'u, the righteous aunt of Lu, the chaste wife of Ch'iu Hu, and the beautiful widow Liang Kaohsing.
The second register (from left to right) illustrates six stories concerning the Hsiungnu King, Hsiu T'u, Li Shan, Chu Ming, Tung Yung, Hsing Ch'ü and Poyü
The images in the center of the third and four registers show a homage scene. Left of the pavilion is a scene of archers taking aim at birds and monkeys, may be a rebus for achieving high office. Above and to the left of the pavilion (third register) are two standing men holding pienmien fans and facing to the right, three men standing in the middle cupping hands in front of their chest, and two kneeling figures holding hu tablets which are facing left. The lower left (fourth register) is a scene depicting a chariot procession.
To the right of the pavilion, the upper register (third register) illustrates the stories of Fan Sui sparing the life of Hsü Chia, and Lin Hsiangju negotiating with the King of Ch'in. The lower register (fourth register) shows a chariot procession.
Format:rubbing:119×220.5cm
Coverage:Locatin:Wuzhai Shan Mountain, in the Zhifang Township of Jiaxiang County, Shandong Province. |
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East Wall (Wu Liang Shrine II)
Resource Identifier:27349
Description:The scene is divided into five registers:
The first register (triangular gable) depicts a scene with the King Father of the East sitting in the middle, accompanied by winged immortals and other sacred beasts.
The second register (from left to right) illustrates stories of the virtuous woman of the capital, the righteous stepmother of Ch'i, the virtuous aunt of Liang, and wife of King Chao of Ch'u.
The third register (from left to right) illustrates the filial grandson Yüen Ku, the filial child Chao Hsün, Wei T'ang, the filial Elder Yang (Yangkung), and the filial men from three counties.
The fourth register (from left to right) depicts the stories of Chungli Ch'un, Nieh Chê g's assassination of the King of Han, Yü Jang's failed assassination of Chao Hsiangtzu, and Yao Li's assassination of prince Ch'ing Chi.
The fifth register illustrates a woman using a device for drawing water, and a food preparation scene.
Format:rubbing:156×137.3cm
Coverage:Locatin:Wuzhai Shan Mountain, in the Zhifang Township of Jiaxiang County, Shandong Province. |
Text and images are provided by Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
Digital Resources and Archived Images Application
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A Slice of Wonder
