Date: Published in the 14^th year (1478) of the Chenghua era, Ming (1368-1644)

Dimensions: Height 29.0 cm, Width 10.0 cm

Material: Printed book

• Object Type：
  • CALLIGRAPHY
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • lyric folk 1478 chenghua era ming printed book

11 volumes of narrative singing lyrics and a volume of play script from the Chenghua era were unearthed from Xuan Chang's tomb, representing an early example of this kind of publication. Xuan Chang, also known by his zi (designated name) Ruzhao, was a native of Jiading. The local government recommended him to the imperial examination. He later served as Assistant Prefect of Xi'an Prefecture. This volume, Newly Compiled Complete Illustrated Edition of the Story of Hua Guansuo in four parts, features illustrations and text on each page. It is a work of folk literature based on the stories of the Three Kingdoms, with fantastical plots. This book is a reprint by Beijing Yongxuan Hall in the 14^th year (1478) of the Chenghua era. Xuan Chang also had a collection of paintings and calligraphy, including the hanging scroll Poetic Mountain Scene after the Rain by the Yuan dynasty artist Ma Wan, and the album Imitation of Zhao Mengfu's Four Poems on Zuo Taichong by Jin Cong.