Xujiang Xiaowo Stone Inscriptions

 Address:Geographical location : Golden Gate south of the southern tip of the ancient mountain village of Pan, Jincheng Township, Kinmen County Longitude : 118.305675322714, Latitude : 24.3984175985397
 Subject:AssetClassification : Historic Monument, AssetsLevel : National Historic Monument, Asset Type : Stele

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【Introduction】

The Xujiang Xiaowo Stone Inscriptions are located near the Wentai Pagoda on Nanpan Mountain in Old Kinmen City. The collective inscriptions by intellectuals from Ming and Qing Dynasties were called Xujiang Xiaowo (Xujiang Shouts and Lies Down) after the best-known inscription among them. During the reign of Ming Emperor Jiajing, Yu Dayou was appointed as a battalion commander and put in charge of the defense of Kinmen. During his tenure in Kinmen, Yu visited Nanpan Mountain and was inspired to recite poetry on the spot. He engraved the words “Xujiang Xiaowo” on a massive boulder. When his deputy battalion commander, Yang Hongju, later took over the defense of Kinmen, Yang engraved the words “Dizhu (pillar rock, meaning a tower of strength)” on a set of nearby rocks. Yang also built a stone pavilion in front of the boulder and hung the inscription,”Houle (happiness to come) “ on the pavilion. Known as the Xiaowo Pavilion, it was once destroyed by artillery fire but later restored. Lu Ruilin, a garrison commander, inscribed the words “Ruhua (picturesque)” the left of Yang’s epitaph in 1728 (the 6th year of Emperor Yongzheng), Higher up, the words “Daguan (great view)” were inscribed by Zhujie of Yanshan, dating back to 1704 (the 43rd year of Emperor Kangxi). To the right of Yang’s epitaph is the inscription “Guanhai (sea-viewing)” conveying the state of mind of a person looking down at the sea from a great height. In addition, two poems are also engraved on stone tablets: one co-authored by Ding Yizhong and Xu Nanfeng during their visit to Kinmen, and the other a chronicle of the Xujiang Xiaowo Pavilion by Yang Hongju. Overall, the scattered engravings make for one spectacular view. In particular, the “Xujiang Xiaowo” inscription stands out with its smooth calligraphy and solid strokes. In addition to the beauty of the stone-tablet inscriptions, the area is also known to inspire nostalgic musings in visitors.

 

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