Title
Xi Shi Xian Wen (昔时贤文) by Fujian Xiamen Hui Wen Tang Shu Zhuang (福建厦门会文堂书庄)
Year/Period
Late Qing - early Republican period
Region
China and Singapore
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: 20.3 x 13.4 x 0.2 cm
Accession No.
2021-00327
Collection of
This book is one of Mengxue (or “early learning”) books used in China and was first mentioned in the Ming period opera “The Peony Pavilion”. But it was likely that the book predated the opera. The content of this book focuses on ancient teachings such as the importance of education and filial piety. Published in Xiamen, Fujian, the cover of this book features the common nianhua (“lunar new year prints”) woodblock print motif of Tian Guan with children. The publisher cleverly incorporated the name of its publishing house and location onto the scrolls, which usually holds auspicious sayings. Such books were used in Singapore to teach children traditional values.
