Album of Landscapes

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

Each leaf: 20 x 22.3 公分 (7 7/8 x 8 3/4 英吋)

Artist's inscription, signature, and seal on leaf 4: In imitation of [T'ang] Wang Hsia's use of ink. Wang Gai of Hsiu-shui [seal] Gai; Artist's poem, signature and seal on leaf 7; Artist's poem, signature, and 2 seals on leaf 8._x000D_
8 colophons and 24 additional seals: 1 colophon and 2 seals of Shih Jun-chang (1618-1683); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Wang Shih-chen (1634-1711); 1 colophon and 2 seals of Li Lai-t'ai (dates unknown); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Mi Han-wen (1661 'chin-shih'); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Tai Wang-chin (17th c.); 2 colophons and 6 seals of Tai Wang-lun (1655 'chin-shih'); 1 colophon and 2 seals of Wang Wan (1624-1690); 1 seal of Chang Yin-huan (1837-1900); 2 seals unidentified._x000D_
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Artist's inscription, signature, and seal on leaf E: In imitation of [T'ang] Wang Hsia's use of ink. Wang Kai of Hsiu-shui [seal] Kai._x000D_
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Artist's poem, signature, and seal on leaf G:_x000D_
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At an empty window sucking on a brush, the autumn water nearby,_x000D_
Green are the rushes, and bamboo reach to the sky._x000D_
For those who love hibiscus, river moonlight is best;_x000D_
In this tiny shelter I keep company with sleeping egrets._x000D_
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Wang Kai [seal] Wang yin Kai._x000D_
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Artist's poem, signature, and 2 seals on leaf H:_x000D_
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The waters of the Hsün-yang River flow around the town [Chiu-chiang in Chianghsi Province];_x000D_
Yü Liang [Western Chin Dynasty general and statesman] once made a night excursion here._x000D_
The air was fresh and cool - it must have been the eighth month;_x000D_
That noble gathering would still be known a thousand years thereafter._x000D_
In the tantalizing ways we feast there is no difference, past or present,_x000D_
Lofty and pre-eminent talent still overflows in the exchange of verses,_x000D_
Tall and large pavilions all share in good writing._x000D_
Joy winging through the air is no less than that in the Southern Tower._x000D_
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[The Southern Tower, in Nanch'ang, Hupei Province, was where Yü Liang spent an evening with friends and contemporaries exchanging poetry and ideas.]_x000D_
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In the mid-autumn of the ting-ssu year [1677], these paintings and comments are presented to the venerable MengWeng, leader of the literary circle, for criticism. Wang Kai of Hsiu-shui [seals] Wang yin Kai; An-chieh._x000D_
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8 colophons and 24 additional seals: 1 colophon and 2 seals of Shih Jun-chang (1618-1683); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Wang Shih-chen (1634-1711); 1 colophon and 2 seals of Li Lai-t'ai (dates unknown); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Mi Han-wen (1661 chin-shih); 1 colophon and 3 seals of Tai Wang-chin (17th c.); 2 colophons and 6 seals of Tai Wang-lun (1655 chin-shih); 1 colophon and 2 seals of Wang Wan (1624-1690); 1 seal of Chang Ym-huan (1837-1900); 2 seals unidentified._x000D_
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A. Poem by Shih Jun-chang:_x000D_
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Trees enmeshed in clouds darken the river ferry;_x000D_
So grand a scene could only belong to the season of late spring._x000D_
Looking upon the Five Lakes, fishermen are few,_x000D_
You don't know who the oarsman is._x000D_
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Random comment for the venerable Meng Chih-weng to correct. Shih Jun-chang._x000D_
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B. Poem by Wang Shih-chen:_x000D_
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A valley stream winds around a hermit's home,_x000D_
Over dark bamboo and yellow reeds leans one corner of the house._x000D_
Watching the wake of a fishing boat off somewhere,_x000D_
The ripples in the water are like wild geese nesting in the sand._x000D_
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Inscribed for Meng Weng by his junior, Wang Shih-chen._x000D_
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C. Poem by Li Lai-t'ai:_x000D_
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A small bridge merged with clouds crosses the distant water,_x000D_
A few rosy clouds and autumn colors trim the clear river._x000D_
I stand alone at leisure in empty mists;_x000D_
The mountains' verdant sides and misty peaks face the small window._x000D_
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Inscribed for venerable Mr. Meng Weng, Li Lai-t'ao._x000D_
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D. Poem by Mi Han-wen:_x000D_
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Coming and going time after time,_x000D_
The front pavilion rests upon a great river._x000D_
Distant sails, the spring waters broad,_x000D_
A tall temple, the afternoon sun strong._x000D_
Beneath the shadow of a butterfly, red peonies,_x000D_
Amidst the chatter of birds, green vines._x000D_
Unable yet to return to the old mountains,_x000D_
In vain I hum the "Picking ling-chih" song._x000D_
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Written for Meng Lao, Mi Han-wen._x000D_
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[The last two lines refer to the Four Old Recluses of Mount Shang who lived during the Ch'in Dynasty [221-206 BC], and the song they sang about picking ling-chih, the mushroom-like growth thought to produce immortality.]_x000D_
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E. Poem by Tai Wang-chin:_x000D_
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Who picks up his unrestrained brush to write down misty peaks?_x000D_
To gaze at mountains from an empty house is a pleasure inexhaustible._x000D_
I even wish I were physically within a painting._x000D_
Where floating clouds are not depicted, but only a vast sea of waves._x000D_
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Written for the comments of Mr. Meng Weng, your junior associate, Tai Wang-chin._x000D_
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F. Poem by Tai Wang-lun:_x000D_
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Splashed ink, dripping wet, cannot be restrained_x000D_
Smartweed flowers are boundless, the water flowing long._x000D_
The old fisherman moves his oar leisurely back and forth,_x000D_
In ten thousand valleys and a thousand peaks, the air is filled with fall._x000D_
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Written on one of the paintings for the venerable Meng Weng, Tai Wang-lun of Ts'ang-chou._x000D_
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G. Poem by Tai Wang-lun:_x000D_
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Precipitous slopes, distant peaks, and trees with forking branches,_x000D_
Set apart are village huts for two or three households._x000D_
In one of them a recluse expounds from a book on the Tao,_x000D_
Burning incense, alone he sits to chant the Nan-hua [Chuang-tzu]._x000D_
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Written on a second painting for the venerable Meng Ch'i, Tai Wang-lun of Ts'ang-chou._x000D_
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H. Poem by Wang Wan:_x000D_
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Clouds like a landslide cover the boundless sky;_x000D_
Year-round howling, the direction of the wind is ominous._x000D_
The boom has just been lowered with a hundred feet of sail;_x000D_
Yet you can predict the violent wind from the direction of flying pennon tails._x000D_
Reed blossoms fly in disarray, their leaves badly battered;_x000D_
Yangtze porpoises blow upon the waves, producing wild ripples._x000D_
You people of the land, don't sing about the joys of the trader,_x000D_
Winds and waves like these will make their journey treacherous._x000D_
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Written for venerable Meng Weng, your junior friend from Yao-fen, Wang Wan._x000D_
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trans. HK/LYSL

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