Preface (Continued)

I have reflected on why those engaged in refined conversation feel they must brandish an elk-tail whisk original: 麈 (zhǔ). The tail of a large deer or elk, used to make whisks that became symbols of authority and intellectual elegance.. Before the Han dynasty, this practice was rarely heard of. Once the moral character of the Western Capital referring to Chang'an, the capital of the Western Han declined, the fashion for Pure Conversation original: 清談 (qīngtán). A philosophical, witty, and highly stylized form of discourse popular among the elite in the 3rd–6th centuries. in the Eastern Capital referring to Luoyang began to flourish, and thus the elk-tail whisk appeared.

Along with the armrest original: 隱囊 (yǐnnáng). A soft pillow or bag used to lean on while sitting on the floor. and the square cushion, the world regarded these as the hallmark possessions of the Wang and Xie families original: 王謝 (Wáng-Xiè). The two most prestigious aristocratic clans of the Eastern Jin period, epitomizing cultural refinement.. At that time, the use of the whisk was highly prominent. Those serving as high officials and scholars grasped jade handles and styled themselves as "Masters of Conversation." Even the fashionable youths in their fine robes followed this trend like the wind.

Conversely, the actions of men like Tao Kan moving his bricks or Zu Ti beating his oar original: 陶侃之甓祖逖之楫. Tao Kan moved 100 bricks every morning to keep fit for service; Zu Ti struck the water with an oar while swearing to reclaim northern China from invaders. Both were men of action rather than talk., though born from the resolve of noble patriots, were viewed by the people of that time as "vulgar" or "crude."

Ever since the scions of the Sima family became emperors, the Five Barbarians original: 五胡 (Wǔhú). Non-Han nomadic tribes who established kingdoms in northern China. rose in succession and split the Central Plains. This period of turmoil lasted for over a hundred years, passing through the Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen dynasties until ending with the Sui. This entire era was the time when the men of the Southern Dynasties brandished their whisks.

The people of the Tang dynasty rose up, and tribes from the north and south came to pay court. Their martial achievements nearly surpassed those of the Han. When their great work was finished, they composed music—how magnificent and refined! Most of the meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion original: 凌烟 (Língyān). A gallery commissioned by Emperor Taizong to commemorate 24 great contributors to the Tang Empire. were brave warriors and fierce generals; they were better suited to long spears and great halberds. That they could not use a whisk is no cause for surprise.

As for the Scholars of Yingzhou original: 瀛洲學士 (Yíngzhōu xuéshì). A group of eighteen elite scholars recruited by the early Tang court., they were all of the upright and elegant sort, yet when we search the records today and examine the paintings of the period, we also find few instances of them using whisks. Perhaps because the Tang was at its peak of strength, the elk-tail whisk fell into decline. The tradition of the fly-whisk original: 拂子 (fúzi). A similar-looking object, but associated with religious rituals rather than secular intellectual debate. only evolved into separate branches within the Chan Buddhist and Taoist sects.

Yet, diligent scholars and those enamored with antiquity still spoke of the elk-tail whisk constantly, their praise never fading. By the time of the Song dynasty, people valued not the physical object, but rather the "name" and reputation of the whisk. Why was this so? It was when the virtue of the Song...