"Changwu Zhi" and "Garden Ye" are two masterpieces of ancient Chinese art of making utensils, gardening, and planting. "Chang Wu Zhi" focuses on utensil making, planting and elegant home physical creation, while "Garden Ye" focuses on gardening and space selection for physical life. The two complement each other and constitute the overall style of life of ancient Chinese literati.
"Changwu Zhi" has a total of twelve records, which belong to the subjects of utensil making, planting, and gardening, and cover various aspects of life such as clothing, food, housing, use, transportation, and travel. Among them, the records of houses, flowers and trees, water and stones, birds and fish, fruits and vegetables, etc. Expound the construction elements of ancient Chinese garden life, and point out the interoperability of these elements and the principles of their selection. The descriptions of calligraphy and painting, couches, utensils, clothing, boats and carriages, locations, and fragrant teas all reflect the aesthetic aspirations of the ancient scholar-bureaucrats in concealing the ingenuity of people and not exposing their ingenuity.
"Long Things" does not emphasize the value of materials, but the elegant and simple beauty of materials and forms. The quaint and natural physical environment it creates is not only the consistent pursuit of exquisite life by ancient literati, but also the material expression of the gentle temperament of elegant literati.
Reader comments
I especially like the descriptions of various items in the book. I feel that I can see the life interest of ancient literati. However, I kind of hate those who pursue luxury too much. They have lost the elegance of the ancients. The characters in the book all have their own personalities, especially those who have unique insights into quaint life, which is really admirable. This book gave me a deeper understanding of ancient culture. I recommend you to read it too!
I especially like the descriptions of various items in the book. I feel that I can see the life interest of ancient literati. However, I kind of hate those who pursue luxury too much. They have lost the elegance of the ancients. The characters in the book all have their own personalities, especially those who have unique insights into quaint life, which is really admirable. This book gave me a deeper understanding of ancient culture. I recommend you to read it too!