"Reflections on Reading the Book" (Part 1)
Dynasty: Southern Song Dynasty Poet: Zhu Xi
Half an acre of square pond opened with a mirror,
The skylight and cloud shadows linger.
Ask how clear the canal is?
Because there is a source of living water.
"Reflections on Reading" (Part 2)
Dynasty: Southern Song Dynasty Poet: Zhu Xi
Spring water grew by the river last night,
A huge ship is worth a dime.
I have always wasted my efforts in pushing,
I can move freely today.
[Edit this paragraph] Translation and comments
Notes 1. Fangtang: also known as Banmu Pond, located in the Zhengyizhai Hall (later Nanxi Academy) in the south of Youxi City, Fujian . Zhu Xi's father had a good relationship with Zheng, so there is a poem in "Die Lian Hua· Drunken Stay in Zheng's Villa" that goes: "A mirror opens in the square pond at dawn. The catkins are falling like flying, and they are willing to stand in the spring breeze." Mirror: mirror. The ancients used copper as a frame, wrapped it with a mirror bag, and opened it when in use. 2. This sentence means that the light of the sky and the shadow of the clouds are reflected in the pond water, constantly changing, just like people wandering. ③Qu: He refers to Fangtang. 4. Nade: How could it happen? Such as: like this. 5.艨艉: A large warship. A feather is as light as a feather.
People have always believed that the erudite Zhu Xi was expressing the principles of reading and learning in these two poems. They are indeed examples of misunderstanding and misunderstanding through the ages. It's very simple. The so-called "book" refers to "calligraphy" rather than "book". And ‘Guanshu’ means ‘watching and reading calligraphy’. Zhu Xi loved calligraphy and was quite accomplished. The two poems "Feelings after Observing Calligraphy" describe his vivid feelings about observing and appreciating calligraphy works.
Translation of the poem "Looking at the Book and Feelings" (Part 1):
Calligraphy Square
A square pond of half an acre is like opening a mirror (: It is a metaphor for the unfolding of a calligraphy work),
The brilliance of the sky and the shadow of floating clouds are rippling on the surface of the pond (: it is a metaphor for the contrast between the blank space on the paper and the calligraphy lines, which is vivid and vivid).
Ask why this pond is so clear (: Why is this calligraphy work so fresh and timeless)?
That is living water constantly flowing from the source (: that is the continuous infusion of artistic inspiration from the writer’s heart)!
Comment: The meaning of the poem is very profound. The source of living water is used as a metaphor for the rich inspiration of calligraphy art. It is the real inexhaustible source of calligraphy art works. It is in line with the characteristics of calligraphy art creation and also reflects the general art. The essence of creation.
Translation of the verses of "Looking at the Book and Feelings" (Part 2):
Riding on the Spring Tide
Last night there was a spring tide on the riverside.
The giant ship is as light as a feather.
Driving has always required a lot of pushing and pulling effort, but today I can float freely in the middle of the river.
Comment: From the metaphor of "huge ship", it may be that Zhu Xi was criticizing the creation of big characters in the list. The meaning of this poem is also very profound. If the tide rises, the boat will be able to travel freely. It is a metaphor for the calligraphy art creation. Once the inspiration is strong, the writing can suddenly become smooth and free. This is not only an essential process of the art of calligraphy, but also the general art. The important nature of creation. Of course, the poem can also be understood from another perspective, that is, Zhu Xi saw the refined, vivid and smooth skills of calligraphy works, and appreciated the artistic principle that practice makes perfect.