Civilizational Canons · LC5

Crafts & Material Wisdom

Inscribing names on masterful artifacts, probing the essence of things: craftsmanship and material aesthetics in classical prose.

21works

5dynasties

12authors

Crafts & Material Wisdom celebrates classical literature recording artisanal mastery, architectural marvels, and scientific observations, from micro-sculpture descriptions to treatises on woodcraft and industry.

Zhou

6 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Cook Ding Carves the OxZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · Philosophers' FablesFollow the inner structure of things, and even hard work becomes effortless.
  2. Ample Room for the BladeZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · Philosophers' FablesAvoid meeting force with force; find the gaps, and you handle things with ease.
  3. Work of Ghostly Axes and Divine CraftZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsCraftsmanship or natural scenery so marvelous it seems beyond human ability.
  4. Cook Ding Carves the OxZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsCook Ding carving an ox with masterly ease; skill that comes from grasping how things work.
  5. Ample Room for the BladeZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · IdiomsThe blade moves with room to spare; handling a task with effortless skill.
  6. ZhuangziZhuangzi (traditionally attributed) · Pre-Qin MastersHeaven and Earth were born together with me, and the ten thousand things and I are one.

Tang

5 works

618–907

  1. Dotting the Dragon's EyesZhang Yanyuan · Historical AllusionsOne decisive touch in the right place can bring the whole work to life.
  2. Penetrating the Wood Three Fen DeepZhang Huaiguan · Satirical ParablesDeep, penetrating skill comes from long and focused effort.
  3. Wielding an Axe at Lu Ban's DoorLiu Zongyuan · IdiomsShowing off axe skills before the master carpenter Lu Ban; displaying one's meager skill before an expert.
  4. Dotting the Eyes of the Painted DragonZhang Yanyuan · IdiomsA painter dots a dragon's eyes and it flies away; the crucial finishing touch that brings a work to life.
  5. Penetrating Three Fen into the WoodZhang Huaiguan · IdiomsBrushstrokes biting deep into the wood; forceful calligraphy, or penetrating insight and description.

Song

7 works

960–1279

  1. Postscript on Wu Daozi's PaintingsSu Shi · Letters & PrefacesWith poetry reaching Du Zimei, prose reaching Han Tuizhi, calligraphy reaching Yan of Lu and painting reaching Wu Daozi, the changes of past and present and all the accomplishments under heaven were complete.
  2. The Oil Seller's SkillOuyang Xiu · Satirical ParablesMastery holds no secret; it comes from practice repeated until it is second nature.
  3. Having the Whole Bamboo in One's MindSu Shi · IdiomsBefore painting, the artist already sees the whole bamboo; having a well-thought-out plan and full confidence.
  4. Practice Makes PerfectOuyang Xiu · IdiomsSkill and ingenuity come from repeated practice.
  5. Unprecedented and UnrepeatableAnonymous · IdiomsNever seen before and never to be seen again; utterly unique.
  6. Popular Stories in Capital EditionsAnonymous (Song–Yuan storytellers) · Vernacular StoriesFrom the storytellers of the Song pleasure quarters: the passions, wrongful verdicts and ghosts of ordinary townsfolk.
  7. Brush Talks from Dream BrookShen Kuo · NotebooksA commoner named Bi Sheng went further and made movable type. His method was to carve characters in sticky clay, each as thin as the rim of a coin.