Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

Fine printed and revised ancient books dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) are on display at the Shenzhen Museum. The books were selected from 1,500 cases of ancient books donated by a private collector to the museum two years ago, according to Cai Huiyao, deputy director of the museum.

Ancient Chinese texts are classified into four categories: jing (classics 经), shi (history 史), zi (philosophy 子) and ji (literature 集).

At the exhibition, visitors will not only admire “The Collection of Mr. Hui’an,” a Song Dynasty book on Confucianism, but also have a glimpse into Korean and Japanese books on Confucianism.

Mr. Hui’an was an alias of Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi (1130-1200), a Confucian scholar. He has been called the second-most influential thinker in Chinese history, after Confucius himself. The Korea-originated editions were printed in the 15th century while the Japanese-originated editions were made in the 19th century. These foreign-printed books, although still in Chinese language, exemplify the two Asian countries’ admiration for Confucianism.

Visitors can also have a glance at a wood-engraving printing board and a movable type printing board made in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as well as the butterfly binding method. Butterfly binding is the earliest known form of paper bookbinding in China, invented during the Song Dynasty.

Dates: Until June 10, closed Mondays

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Venue: Shenzhen Museum, Block A, Civic Center, Futian District (福田区市民中心A区深圳博物馆)

Metro: Line 2 or 4, Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B