Moon by the Sea – Exhibition on Paintings of Song Lyrics (Hua Shuo Song Ci)

 
　　From April 23 to May 10, 2015, the exhibition of Moon by the Sea – Exhibition on Paintings of Song Lyrics (Hua Shuo Song Ci) organized by Hanban, HQ of Confucius Institute, Culture Affairs Bureau of Putuo District and China Translation & Publishing Corporation, and jointly organized by Putuo Library, Shanghai Qinghe Culture Communications Co. Ltd. and Shanghai No.8 Bridge Culture Investment Co. Ltd. was held on the 2nd floor of Putuo Library. 30 masters from Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang such as Madam Chen Peiqiu, Mr. Lin Ximing, Mr. Chen Jialing spent one more year to paint 117 paintings based on Song Lyrics. And masters such as Chen Jialing, Yang Zhengxin, Cai Tianxiong, Zhang Leiping, Zhang Peicheng, Che Pengfei, Zhu Min, Ding Xiaofang, Wang Jiafang, He Xi, Bao Ying, Pang Fei and Consul General of Nigeria in Shanghai Mr. Amb. Ali Ocheni participated in the Opening Ceremony held on April.23. 

　　Meanwhile, the painting book Hua Shuo Song Ci (The Lyrics of Song Dynasty in paintings) was published by China Translation & Publishing Corporation. The book was in bilingual form to illustrate every Song Lyrics in a painting and the English was translated by famous translator Professor Xu Yuanchong. After the painting book Hua Shuo Tang Shi (The Poems of Tang Dynasty in paintings) in 2012, Hua Shuo Song Ci was also recommended as reading material for foreigners by Hanban & HQ of Confucius Institute which means it will be a new method for foreigners to learn Chinese and it will be entering 400+ Confucius Institutes & 800+ Confucius Class all over the world. This will certainly help to promote Mandarin globally.

Painter: Chen Peiqiu	The Golden Statue with Plate of Dew The Daffodil Gao Guanguo Like Southern cloud in dream, Singing of the Southern moon, Who mourns for the fairy queen alone? Who has seen on the stream Her stainless silk socks white Treading on waves with steps light? Turning her back to strip off, She’s slender and tender for man to love. She faints in charming yellow hue Like a jade bright in view. Her sweet heart is tranquil Amid waves chill. A lute complains, Her heart feels pains. I am afraid Rid of her pendants of jade, She would return to fairy bower. Holding a cupful of clear dew, She’d drink with orchid and mume flower. Mist-veiled for miles and miles till out of view, It breaks her dream To see the snow-clad clear stream.
Painter: Lin Ximing	Magnolia Flowers  Song Qi  The scenery is getting fine east of the town;  The rippling water greets boats rowing up and down.  Beyond green willows morning chill is growing mild;  On pink apricot branches spring is running wild. In our floating life scarce are pleasures we seek after.  How can we value gold above a hearty laughter?  I raise wine cup to ask the slanting sun to stay  And leave among the flowers its departing ray.
Painter: Chen Jialing	Water Dragon Chant To the White Lotus Zhang Yan The lotus in the fairy’s band Drips drops of dew on golden tray. Mirrored on water, your light dress aglow, Like jade in a fine robe you stand As a dancer you swing and sway. From time to time you fade and blow, When the lake is veiled in mist or steeped in moonlight, And gulls and herons perch on the sand. Remember my leaflike boat in a quiet night On clear waves where fragrance spreads far, White dressed I cannot find where you are. Even the beauty should envy you, When you take your rosy dress off. Who would not fall with you in love? You are elegant at leisure Or charming with pleasure. You fascinate as if you would speak anew. I see you in the lake in view: Sometimes you lean apart As if you would open your heart, But when the west wind blows, I’m afraid, With your cloudlike green leaves you would fade.
Painter: Dai Dunbang	Silk-Washing Stream Yan Shu A song filled with new words, a cup filled with old wine, The bower is last year’s, the weather is as fine. Will last year reappear as the sun on decline? Deeply I sigh for the fallen flowers in vain; Vaguely I seem to know the swallows come again. In fragrant garden path alone I still remain.
Painter: Zhang Guiming	A Twig of Mume Blossoms My Boat Passing by Southern River Jiang Jie Can boundless grief be drowned in spring wine? My boat tossed by waves high, Streamers of wineshop fly. The Farewell Ferry and the Beauty’s Bridge would pine: Wind blows from hour to hour; Rain falls shower by shower. When may I go home to wash my old robe outworn, To play on silver lute And burn the incense mute? Oh, time and tide will not wait for a man forlorn: With cherry red spring dies, When green banana sighs.
Painter: Yang Zhengxin	The Beautiful Lady Yu Huang Tingjian Message comes from the south to the end of the sky, When mumes burst open, spring is nigh. At dead of night the wind is slight, your fragrance late. Who knows at dawn your branches bloom at southern gate? You’re envied by powder of the Terrace of Jade; You waft amid the brows and will not fade. All my life long I love you with wine cup in hand; My young heart oldens ten years away from homeland.
Painter: Xiao Haichun	The Beautiful Lady Yu Written for Governor Chen at the Scenic Hall Su Shi How fair the lakes and hills of the Southern land are, With plains extending wide and far! How often, wine cup in hand, have you been here That you can make us linger though drunk we appear! By Sandy River Pool the new-lit lamps are bright. Who is singing the water melody at night? When I come back, the wind goes down, the bright moon paves With emerald glass the river’s waves.
Painter: Cai Tianxiong	Dreaming of the South He Zhu By winding stream with pools in third moon on third day, The willow branches sway. Fragrant dust is raised by spitting steeds with golden bit And vernal dress is stained with spit. I dream of the south. How delicious are fish and bamboo shoots to the mouth! The evening breeze calms misty waves before the town, Returning sails lowered down.
Painter: Han Shuo	Old Friends Recalled Wang Shen The candle flickers red At dead of night, I wake from wine in bed, My mind in idle plight. Who sings before a cup of wine songs of goodbye? My parting grief goes as far as the sky. What can I do after you brought fresh shower For my thirsting flower? I lean on balustrade, In eastern breeze my eyes shed tears. When the crabapple flowers fade, The swallow disappears, The evening is hard in my courtyard.
Painter: Zhang Leiping	Invaded by Flowers To the Daffodil Zhou Mi By the southern rivershore Like the princess you appear; Silent, you shed tear on tear. You care for spring no more, In vain on eastern breeze you lean. To whom will you send fragrance green? You seem to tread on waves to hear cold autumn’s sighs; After your steps fragrant clouds rise, To what avail should you Recall the fairy with a plate of dew, Who stands fair and bright in the moonlight? The icy strings reveal the grief of lovesick heart. The poet regrets to have sung of orchids and grass, But keep you apart. Your vernal thoughts go far away. Who would enjoy the fragrance of bygone days? Why not share with me the quiet window you’ve seen, Where incense perfumes your sleeves green? Awake from my sweet dream, alas! I find by candlelight a part of you Steeped in clear dew.
Painter: Zhang Peicheng	Riverside Daffodils Su Shi Drinking at Eastern Slope by night, I sober, then get drunk again. When I come back, it’s near midnight, I hear the thunder of my houseboy’s snore; I knock but no one answers the door. What can I do but, leaning on my cane, Listen to the river’s refrain? I long regret I am not master of my own. When can I ignore the hums of up and down? In the still night the soft winds quiver On ripples of the river. From now on I would vanish with my little boat; For the rest of my life on the sea I would float.
Painter: Lu Fusheng	Courtyard Full of Fragrance Su Shi For fame as vain as a snail’s horn And profit as slight as a fly’s head, Should I be busy and forlorn? Fate rules for long, Who is weak? Who is strong? Not yet grown old and having leisure, Let me be free to enjoy pleasure! Could I be drunk in a hundred years, Thirty-six hundred times without shedding tears? Think how long life can last, Though sad and harmful storms I’ve passed. Why should I waste my breath Until my death, To say the short and long Or right and wrong? am happy to enjoy clear breeze and the moon bright, Green grass outspread And a canopy of cloud white. The Southern shore is fine With a thousand cups of wine And the courtyard fragrant with song.
Painter: Jiang Hong	Partridges in the Sky Xin Qiji The tender twigs begin to spout along the lane; The silkworm’s eggs of my east neighbor have come out. The yellow calves grazing fine grass bawl on the plain; At sunset in the cold forest crows fly about. The mountains extend far and near; Lanes crisscross there and here. Blue streamers fly where wine shops appear. Peach and plum blossoms in the town fear wind and showers, But spring dwells by the creekside where blossom wildflowers.
Painter: Shi Dawe	Riverside Town Hunting at Mizhou Su Shi Rejuvenated, I my fiery zeal display; On left hand leash, a yellow hound, On right hand wrist, a falcon grey. A thousand silk-capped, sable-coated horsemen sweep Across the rising ground And hillocks steep. Townspeople pour out of the city gate To watch the tiger-hunting magistrate. Heart gladdened with strong wine, who cares About a few new-frosted hairs? When will the court imperial send An envoy to recall the exile? Then I’ll bend My bow like a full moon, and aiming northwest, I Will shoot down the fierce Wolf from the sky.
Painter: Che Pengfe	Groping for Fish Hermitage in Mount High Love Zhang Yan I love my cot by the lakeside So fair and wide, A vest expanse so vague and clear. On fine days the far-flung hills warm appear, With flowers reflected in the mirror of the skies. The sand beach far away, I seem To see the rippling water beam, Under the willow trees a lonely boat lies. The gulls asleep, not yet awake, Unseen in my native village by the lake. The setting sun would bring Twilight to spring. I meditate: Who can anticipate Even Peach Blossom Land Will witness dynasties fall or stand? The pathway in the woods will lead to a long life. I laugh, for it is not a shortcut to win in strife. It’s calm when deep is night, I would play on my flute with loosened hair And ride my crane to brave the cold wind in my flight. I would drink dew on high And waft in the air. The moon atop the pines sheds its light Over the conquered land far and nigh.
Painter: Zhu Xinchang	Pure Serene Music Xin Qiji The thatched roof slants low, Beside the brook green grasses grow. Who talks with drunken Southern voice to please? White-haired man and wife at their ease. East of the brook their eldest son is hoeing weeds; Their second son now makes a cage for hens he feeds. How pleasant to see their spoiled youngest son who heeds Nothing but lies by brookside and pods lotus seeds!
Painter: Ma Xiaojuan	Thinking of the Far-off One Yan Jidao Red leaves and yellow blooms fall, late autumn is done, I think of my far-roving one. Gazing on clouds blown away by the breeze And messageless wild geese, Where can I send him word under the sun? My endless tears drip down by windowside And blend with ink when they’re undried. I write down the farewell we bade; My deep love impearled throws a shade On rosy papers and they fade.
Painter: Gao Yun	Charm of a Maiden Singer Su Shi The endless river eastward flows; With its huge waves are gone all those Gallant heroes of bygone years. West of the ancient fortress appears Red Cliff where General Zhou won his early fame When the Three Kingdoms were in flame. Rocks tower in the air and waves beat on the shore, Rolling up a thousand heaps of snow. To match the land so fair, how many heroes of yore Had made great show! I fancy General Zhou at the height Of his success, with a plume fan in hand, In a silk hood, so brave and bright, Laughing and jesting with his bride so fair, While enemy ships were destroyed as planned Like castles in the air. Should their souls revisit this land, Sentimental, his bride would laugh to say: Younger than they, I have my hair turned grey. Life is but like a dream. O moon, I drink to you who have seen them on the stream.
Painter: Chen Xiangxun	Butterflies in Love with Flowers Ouyang Xiu Deep, deep the courtyard where he is, so deep It’s veiled by smokelike willows heap on heap, By curtain on curtain and screen on screen. Leaving his saddle and bridle, there he has been Merry-making. From my tower his trace can’t be seen. The third moon now, the wind and rain are raging late; At dusk I bar the gate, But I can’t bar in spring. My tearful eyes ask flowers, but they fail to bring An answer, I see red blooms fly over the swing.
Painter: Zhu Min	The River All Red The Red Cliff Dai Fugu Passing the head of the Cliff Red, Can I forget the bygone days, When the young general spread his heroic rays? Thousands of steeds roared like tigers by riverside; Hundreds of ships in wrath with fish and dragon vied. Rolling long wave on wave, They beat the foe so brave. What happens nowadays? The ferry on the tide And roads by riverside Have witnessed all Dynasties’ rise and fall. Seeing the relics of war, We understand history all the more. How many times has changed the world which raves! A thousand years have passed away with the waves. I ask the roadside willow trees: “For whom are you swaying in vernal breeze?”
Painter: Le Zhenwen	Gathering Mulberry Leaves Ouyang Xiu Viewed from a light boat with short oars, West Lake is fair. Green water winds along The banks overgrown with sweet grass; here and there Faintly we hear a flute song. The water surface is smooth like glass when no wind blows; I feel the boat moves no more. Leaving ripples behind, it goes, The startled waterbirds skim the flat sandy shore.
Painter: Ding Xiaofang	Treading on Grass To Lotus He Zhu On winding pool with willows dim, At narrow strait the lovebirds swim. Green duckweeds float, Barring the way of lotus-picking boat. Nor butterflies nor bees Love fragrance from the withered trees. When her red petals fall apart, The lotus bloom’s bitter at heart. The setting sun greets rising tide, The floating clouds bring rain. The swaying lotus seems to confide Her sorrow to the poet in vain. Then she would not be wed to vernal breeze, What could she do now autumn drives away wild geese?
Painter: Wang Jiafang	Riverside Town Farewell to Governor Chen at Bamboo Pavilion  on Lonely Hill Su Shi Her eyebrows penciled dark, she feels shy to be seen. Hidden behind a silken fan so green, Stealthily she sheds tear on tear. Let me drink farewell to you and hear Her sing, with tears wiped away, her song of adieu. Do not say the imperial town is as far as the sky. It is easier to see the sun high Than to meet you. The newly built painted hall to Lonely Hill is near. For whom is made The winding balustrade? Falling flowers and willow down fly; Spring belongs to next year. I try to row a boat to find the things gone by. O whom can I ask? In my eye I only see water one with the sky.
Painter: He Xi	The Moon over the West River Xin Qiji Startled by magpies leaving the branch in moonlight, I hear cicadas shrill in the breeze at midnight. The ricefields’ sweet smell promises a bumper year; Listen, how frogs’ croaks please the ear! Beyond the clouds seven or eight stars twinkle; Before the hills two or three raindrops sprinkle. There is an inn beside the village temple. Look! The winding path leads to the hut beside the brook.
Painter: Xu Mo	Song of a Dream Wu Qian By pools of congealed green Red flowers form a screen. East of the painted bridge alone stands she, Trying to bind spring breeze with sprigs of willow tree. Magpies fly through gossamers light, The bees alight on falling flowers in vain. A swing hangs in the yard before the window bright. How much sorrow and leisure she feels in the rain!
Painter: Yu Hui	Sand-Sifting Waves Ouyang Xiu Wine cup in hand, I drink to the eastern breeze: Let us enjoy with ease! On the violet pathways Green with willows east of the capital, We used to stroll hand in hand in bygone days, Rambling past flower shrubs one and all. In haste to meet and part Would ever break the heart. Flowers this year Redder than last appear. Next year more beautiful they’ll be. But who will enjoy them with me?
Painter: Chen Xiang	Telling Innermost Feeling Liu Yong The air is fresh on a fine day after the rain, I stand in a riverside tower and gaze. Afar the water stretches clear and bright. Green hills on hills tower in the twilight. I find the broken bridge and quiet lane In fisher’s village veiled in haze, At dusk I see lonely smoke rise. Seeing the sun sink, Silent I lean on railings red, With sorrow fed, I’m drunk before I drink. Boundless is my grief cold, Evening clouds pass before my eyes. Autumn turns old. My friends stay miles away; In vain I gaze all the long day.
Painter: Hong Jian	Song of the Southern Country Mume Blossoms for Yang Yuansu Su Shi On the fence perch birds feeling cold, To view the blooms of jade they dispute for branch old. Seeing a guest sit under flowers, they fly up And scatter petals over his wine cup. Writing verses and drinking wine, The guest knows not he’s not sitting on felt fine. Wine cup dried up, spring comes with fallen flower. Leave here! The branch has felt a little sour.
Painter: Bao Ying	Song of Divination Cao Zu You are cold among pines, bamboos and vines. When over the land the setting sun shines. Alone you’re fragrant on a lonely lane. To whom of your loneliness can you complain? With the mume blossoms you may speak, Whom lovers of flowers might seek. But you would not exude fragrance to please; It can’t be sought for as the breeze.
Painter: Pang Fei	Retaining Spring To Mume Flowers Shi Dazu Strolling along your streams, What can I do but hang my grief and dream On moonlit mist-veiled tree? The vernal water threads through the twilight. Of longing for you can I be free? You have confided your love to me, So I’ve lost labor in dreaming of verse bright. It is said spring’s as sentimental as you, Retained by fragrance beyond the bamboo.