Introduction to Xu Wei
Xu Wei was born in Yinshan, Shaoxing Prefecture in 1521 and died in Shaoxing in 1593. Xu Wei, originally named Wenqing, later changed his name to Wenchang, and his nickname was Tianchishanren. He is a poet, litterateur, dramatist, etc.
Portrait of Xu Wei
A few months after Xu Wei was born, his father died of illness. Perhaps because his father died early, Xu Wei was smart and precocious. He began to learn Tang poetry at the age of six, Shiwen at the age of eight, piano art at the age of twelve, and swordsmanship at the age of fifteen. Xu Wei repeatedly failed in the imperial examinations. He was admitted as a scholar when he was twenty years old. After that, he continued to take the provincial examinations and failed repeatedly, until he was forty-one years old and still failed. Xu Wei was deeply hit by his repeated failures in the imperial examinations.
Although Xu Wei was not very smooth on the road to the imperial examination, because of his talents, Xu Wei was recruited by Hu Zongxian, the then governor of Nanjun Affairs, as a clerk. This period was the best period in Xu Wei's life, and Hu Zongxian also thought highly of Xu Wei. Hu Zongxian was arrested for some reasons, and Xu Wei was also forced to leave the Governor's Mansion because of Hu Zongxian's arrest.
After failing in exams for many years and due to Xu Wei's extreme personality, Xu Wei killed his wife during a mad attack and was imprisoned in a cell. With the help of some more prestigious friends and the opportunity of Emperor Wanli's accession to the throne to grant amnesty to the world, Xu Wei was released from prison. Xu Wei was already fifty-three years old at this time.
Xu Wei was destitute in his later years because he did not bother to buy property when he was young. In his later years, he could only survive by selling calligraphy and paintings. When Xu Wei had more money, he refused to do calligraphy and painting. This also led to Xu Wei's life becoming even more impoverished when he could not paint and calligraphy often after falling ill. In 1593, Xu Wei died of illness and poverty at the age of 73. Xu Wei's calligraphy and painting
Part of Xu Wei's peony painting
Xu Wei also relied on his own talents to continuously optimize his calligraphy and painting skills, and became the most accomplished ink freehand painting master in the Ming Dynasty. Compared with others, Xu Wei's ink freehand paintings are unique and created a new trend of ink freehand paintings. Xu Wei's freehand ink paintings are informal and express everything in the painting vividly. Xu Wei's freehand ink paintings do not just pursue the appearance, but pay more attention to the inner feelings of the painter. It is precisely because Xu Wei pursues not just the surface, but the inner nature, that Xu Wei can become the pioneer of the world.
For Xu Wei, his freehand ink paintings are not his favorite. What he is most proud of is his calligraphy. In the Ming Dynasty, there were not only many painters, but also many calligraphers. The calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty made new progress on the original calligraphy. There will be more outstanding figures in each font, but cursive script achieved greater achievements in the Ming Dynasty. The font Xu Wei is best at writing is Kuang Cao. Most people can't understand what he writes in Kuang Cao. Although others don't understand it, he enjoys it himself. For each of Xu Wei's paintings, he would compose a poem to demonstrate his talent and calligraphy skills.
Xu Wei’s calligraphy and paintings have been circulated to this day, and everyone who has seen them is amazed. In today's market, every calligraphy and painting by Xu Wei can be auctioned for a very high price. Xu Wei's Poems
Appreciation of Xu Wei's Poems
As we all know, Xu Wei is a painter and a calligrapher. But people often overlook Xu Wei's other specialty - poetry. In each of Xu Wei's freehand ink paintings, there is a poem. Therefore, Xu Wei is also a poet.
Nowadays, there are many poems by Xu Wei that can be searched, and there are also some very good poems among them. From so many poems by Xu Wei, we can see the shadow of Xu Wei behind the poems. Xu Wei's poems are somewhat different from traditional poems. It can be said that Xu Wei's poems are as eclectic as his people.
The themes of Xu Wei's poems mainly focus on reality, reflecting current affairs and politics on the one hand, and expressing his own feelings on the other. The poems written by Xu Wei have their own style, with unrestrained emotions, sincere and passionate. Xu Wei's poems in his later years did not pursue rules and regulations, but were novel and unique.
In fact, when the Ming and Qing Dynasties were studying poetry, because Xu Wei was a commoner, Xu Wei's poems were submerged in so many poems. During his lifetime, no one cared about Xu Wei, and after his death, he became depressed. Fortunately, the then literary leader Yuan Hongdao discovered Xu Wei's poems and promoted Xu Wei's poems in the literary world, which made Xu Wei's poems reach the peak of research. Yuan Hongdao turned Xu Wei's poems into a complete collection, providing a precious clue for future generations to study Xu Wei's poems. This passion did not subside soon, but continued until the Qianlong period. Xu Wei's poems have been circulated in the world because of Yuan Hongdao, allowing the world to appreciate Xu Wei's outstanding literary talent instead of lying in obscurity in the dark. Xu Wei's Tomb
According to folk rumors, Xu Wei knew that there would be no burial expenses before his death, so he saved up his poems, calligraphy and paintings during his lifetime so that he could sell them for burial after his death.
Xu Wei's Tomb
Xu Wei's Tomb, like Xu Wei's Ivy Bookstore, was listed as a national key cultural relics protection project in 2006. At the entrance of Xu Wei's tomb, behind a bamboo door, there are four words "Xu Wei Cemetery" written in the middle of the gatehouse.
Walking into Xu Wei Cemetery, Xu Wei's tomb is square in shape, with stones piled below and covered with loess. In front of the tomb is a stone tablet of Xu Wei. On the stone tablet are engraved the seven characters "Mr. Xu Wenchang's Tomb of Ming Dynasty". These seven characters The inscription was written by Sha Menghai. Xu Wei's tomb is plain and simple, just like the person himself. There will be no heavy makeup, only the purest true self. Surrounded by trees next to Xu Wei's tomb, it is very quiet and elegant, making it a good place to rest. Because this is the cemetery of the Xu family, next to Xu Wei's tomb are the tombs of his parents, brothers, and daughter-in-law.
In the cemetery, in addition to the tombs of the Xu family, there is also a memorial room for Xu Wei. There is a couplet hanging on both sides of the door of the memorial room, which summarizes Xu Wei's life. Walking into the memorial room and looking around, there are many poems, paintings, couplets, etc. of Xu Wei displayed in the memorial room for those who come here to pay homage to Xu Wei to appreciate.
When Xu Wei was alive, no one cared about him, but after his death, he was well-attended. Many admirers who appreciate and love Xu Wei would like to explore the place where Xu Wei lived and created his masterpieces when he was still alive. After visiting these places, I believe many people can understand why Xu Wei was able to create such highly accomplished works. Xu Wei's Former Residence
Xu Wei is from Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. There is a clean and long small alley in Qianguan Lane in Shaoxing, which extends to the Ivy Bookstore. Ivy Bookstore is the former residence of Xu Wei, a calligrapher and painter of the Ming Dynasty.
Xu Wei’s Former Residence
When you walk into the Ivy Bookstore, you will see a small courtyard. There are some bamboos planted in the corner of the yard, and the bamboos are swaying in the wind. On the side opposite the bamboo, there are plantains, pomegranates, etc. Although they are just ordinary flowers and plants, the design of the yard gives people an elegant and comfortable feeling.
Walking slowly inside, Xu Wei's study appeared in front of him. The furnishings in the house are very simple and ordinary, and there is nothing special about them. On the desk in the room are the four treasures of the study: pen, ink, paper and inkstone. On the wall opposite the door, the top plaque reads the four characters "Ivy Bookstore". Xu Wei's portrait hangs below the plaque. On both sides of the portrait hangs a couplet: "A few rickety houses, a man with a southern accent and a northern accent." ".
In the back room of the study, it was originally the room where Xu Wei lived. Now, it has become a place where Xu Wei's calligraphy and paintings are placed. Many of Xu Wei's outstanding works are displayed, including some amazing classic works. This design allows visitors to have a glimpse of Xu Wei's talent.
Xu Wei had a rough life. He was in poverty and his talents were not recognized. Xu Wei felt resentful and could only express his feelings in poetry and paintings. In fact, the original bookstore was not called Ivy Bookstore. Ivy Bookstore was inscribed by Chen Hongshou. Xu Wei originally called his bookstore Liuhua Bookstore. Fifty years after Xu Wei's death, the painter Chen Hongshou renovated Xu Wei's former residence because he admired Xu Wei. Chen Hongshou also lived in Xu Wei's former residence for a year or two.