Placed on the Beam

Lin Guang-Jin imitating Ye Wang’s work at Jiali Township Zhensing Temple.

This work is an imitation of Yewang’s work, which was originally placed on the square ridge timber at the top in the front hall of Xuejiaciji Temple. The existing work utilized superior techniques. But the personality of the characters are not easily distinguished. However, appreciating from the aspect of life, this piece of work is profound. When the timid donkey reached the bridge head, it refused to leave despite the servant’s strong pulls and the child’s pushes from behind. The elderly riding on the donkey cannot do anything about it.

This is a story about seven saints in the Weijin period, crossing Yangming Pass on horses. The seven saints are Ji Kang, Ruan Ji, Shan Tao, Xiang Xxiu, Ruan Xian, Wang Rong and Liu Ling. The seven saints were acquainted with one another and were called the “Seven Saints of the Bamboo Forest” because they once gathered in a bamboo forest in Shangyang (today’s Henan’s Xiuwu).

This work is an imitation of Yewang’s work, which was originally placed on the square ridge timber at the top in the front hall of Xuejiaciji Temple. The existing work utilized superior techniques. But the personality of the characters are not easily distinguished. However, appreciating from the aspect of life, this piece of work is profound. When the timid donkey reached the bridge head, it refused to leave despite the servant’s strong pulls and the child’s pushes from behind. The elderly riding on the donkey cannot do anything about it.