介绍:
Written in the 18th century, A Dream of Red Mansions, or commonly known as "Hong Lou Meng" in Chinese, is hailed as the most consummate writing among China&`&s Four Great Classical Novels. Featuring the rise and decadence of a powerful family, this semi-autobiography enamors generations by its bone-deep exploration on characters and emotion-evoking tragic ending.
But in the eyes of the columnist Meng Hui, a die-hard lover for material culture, there are many aspects of the novel that have been overlooked.
"&`&A Dream of Red Mansions&`& is remarkable, in terms of its description on surroundings and household items. For example, the glassworks mentioned in the book are the most interesting things. If you understand certain knowledge of glass, you will know the implied messages of the text. At that time, there was no transparent, flat windowpane in China and it was really demanding for importing those panes from Europe. But in Yihong Yard, where the protagonist Jia Baoyu lived, windowpanes had been installed. "
So, in her well-received essay collection, The Hairstyle of Pan Jinlian, or in Chinese, "Pan Jinlian De Fa Xing", Meng extensively explores the transitions and connotations of many cultural norms in ancient times. From the different deployments of the Chinese knot, the origin of cheongsam side slit to the ravishing makeups women applied, she reveals how our ancestors captured the spice of life and lived in an elegant and tasteful way.
Steeping themselves into the pages, readers might be surprised by how their perception of the past has been overturned. For example, the hairstyle of the famous femme fatale Pan Jinlian is not alluring at all. Rather than applying perfume to skin, ancient Chinese preferred to use this fragrant liquid as a raw material for incense and even drink it as a health beverage! While the earliest ice cream, which is generally believed to be introduced to Europe by the explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century, had actually been widely devoured by foodies during the Tang Dynasty.
The author says people tend to stereotype the history, which is something we should be vigilant of.
"The Song Dynasty is usually recognized as the beginning of the feudal age in China and women were always believed to have suffered from their low social status. Therefore, many assume that the women&`&s clothing of that period were just some loose robes with long sleeves. But based on the survived paintings and archaeological discoveries, bodice was commonly used as outerwear. That proves why it is crucial for people to think about the history based on facts rather than prejudice. "
Scrupulously faithful to the original texts of historical records, chronicles and proses, "The Hairstyle of Pan Jinlian" is no doubt a rigorous textual research of those long-gone days. And yet written in a sometimes-poetic style, the book is imbued with a warm and devoted appreciation towards the marvelous and awe-inspiring Chinese culture.
Though from the scented metal ball hidden in people&`&s sleeves to the golden foil once attached on the cheek of a fair lady, these tokens of ancient refinement have been wiped out through the time, Meng Hui stresses that she has no intention to exaggerate a sense of sorrow.
"I think I am a hardheaded person so it is useless to be sentimental. But I do feel regretful. By the 19th century, the rapid rise of the western world exerted great pressure on other civilizations. Under that circumstance, China decisively embraced modernization. But at the same time, we lost many things that should not be abandoned."
Specializing in art history, Meng Hui has published nearly ten collections on ancient Chinese culture.
For Studio Plus, this is Liu Xiangwei.
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