I think the artwork is of a mural in the Dai Temple at the bottom of Taishan, a large mural worshipping the God of Taishan. I believe that the mural was commissioned by a Song emperor after he completed the fengshan rituals. There is a funny story about that mural that I talk about in my book - maybe I'll do a post about it!
Thank you very much! It's lovely to have informed people chime in. If it's Song Dynasty, then it's a few hundred years after the events here - this all happened in 735, I think. And the outing described in the poem was *not* an official ritual event, merely being analogised as such by the poets.
Different enough that I would have chosen something different if I had the time or energy to search... next time, perhaps.
Yes - the main Tang emperor who kept the fengshan traditions by worshipping at sacred mountains was Emperor Wu Zetian, who performed the rituals at Songshan. I dont think it really matters when the art was done if it encapsulates the meaning of the poem, which it does. Look forward to more of your translations, when you have the time!!
Yes, I agree with you, Debbie - the key thing is that the artwork resonates with the poem's mood and meaning.
Phil, if you were looking for something more contemporaneous, one alternative might be 《步辇图》 (The Empress’s Procession) by Yan Liben (阎立本), an early Tang painter. I think it captures the same sense of imperial ceremony and grace of the poem quite well.
I think the artwork is of a mural in the Dai Temple at the bottom of Taishan, a large mural worshipping the God of Taishan. I believe that the mural was commissioned by a Song emperor after he completed the fengshan rituals. There is a funny story about that mural that I talk about in my book - maybe I'll do a post about it!
Thank you very much! It's lovely to have informed people chime in. If it's Song Dynasty, then it's a few hundred years after the events here - this all happened in 735, I think. And the outing described in the poem was *not* an official ritual event, merely being analogised as such by the poets.
Different enough that I would have chosen something different if I had the time or energy to search... next time, perhaps.
Yes - the main Tang emperor who kept the fengshan traditions by worshipping at sacred mountains was Emperor Wu Zetian, who performed the rituals at Songshan. I dont think it really matters when the art was done if it encapsulates the meaning of the poem, which it does. Look forward to more of your translations, when you have the time!!
Yes, I agree with you, Debbie - the key thing is that the artwork resonates with the poem's mood and meaning.
Phil, if you were looking for something more contemporaneous, one alternative might be 《步辇图》 (The Empress’s Procession) by Yan Liben (阎立本), an early Tang painter. I think it captures the same sense of imperial ceremony and grace of the poem quite well.
Amazing, I'll go and check that out, thank you!
Good luck with homeschooling! And don't stress about it, but it's nice to see one of these pop up in my RSS again :)
I always look forward to your posts. Each one is a delight, and in perfect timing.