Four Poems: Calligraphy in Cursive Script (xingshu)

1500s-1600s

Chen Jiru

Chen Jiru (Chinese, 1558–1639)

Chinese Art

Four Poems: Calligraphy in Cursive Script (xingshu), 1500s-1600s. Chen Jiru (Chinese, 1558–1639). Handscroll; ink on gold speckled paper; calligraphy section: 27 x 195 cm (10 5/8 x 76 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. Roger Y.K. and Mrs. Evangeline C. Hsu, Dr. Daphne T. Hsu, and Dr. Jeffrey T. Hsu in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou 2004.65

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Chen Jiru
Classification: Calligraphy
Formatted Medium: handscroll; ink on gold speckled paper
Medium: handscroll, ink, gold, speckled, paper
Dimensions: Calligraphy section: 27 x 195 cm (10 5/8 x 76 3/4 in.)
Inscribed: Translation: "Immortals Playing Chess" Green hair grows on the red terrace, The cottage stands by the ten thousand pines. The immortal guests have not exchanged their names. Playing chess, They do not know each other. As the clouds come, The chess board is darkened; As the clouds go, Black and white appears. Only the white-bearded ape watches by the side, Without any sign of fear. Translation: "Fishermen" Went fishing yesterday; going fishing today. Yesterday the fishing was non-stop, Searching out fish on a new shore. Today fishing by the river is leisurely. Selling the fish, For a little cash. A seven-feet fishing line and a half-slanting rod. The old man is as busy as usual. Throwing away success, With the fishing rod He sits in solitude in the depth of nature. Translation: "Composed while Escaping the Heat" My humble body is resting under the tree. A guest is passing through the eastern pavilion. My robe is dry; The collar tinted with dew. How priceless to appreciate the pine-sweeping breeze! Stream herbs grow in the direction of the mountains. Annotating the Classics To express gratitude to the ancient men; Traveling no farther than a mile To become neighbors And to view the valley in the east. Translation: "Composed in a Dream" The immortals are ashamed of worldly pleasures. They live in recluse to attain happiness. Dreams pass among the clouds, And when clouds pass, chill fills one’s dreams. All the birds go in pairs, There isn’t a mountain without yellow flowers. Attaining sudden enlightenment, But do not forget one’s origins.
Departments: Chinese Art
Accession Number: 2004.65
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Roger Y.K. and Mrs. Evangeline C. Hsu, Dr. Daphne T. Hsu, and Dr. Jeffrey T. Hsu in honor of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou
Exhibitions: Power and Possession: Chinese Calligraphy and Inscribed Objects – Chinese Gallery Rotation 240a, 241c, <em>Main Asian Rotation (Gallery 242)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (July 28, 2014-January 7, 2015).
Rights Statement: CC0