Pictorial Compendium of the Three Talents: Implements and Tools, Volume 1

Page 2

This table functions as a finding aid for the detailed illustrations that follow in the volume. The "Three Talents" (Sancai) mentioned in the title refer to the triad of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, suggesting that these tools are the essential instruments through which humans interact with the natural and divine worlds.

The following vocabulary highlights the primary categories of utensils presented:

• Pictorial Compendium of the Three Talents original: "Sancai Tuhui" (三才圖會). A famous Ming Dynasty encyclopedia compiled by Wang Qi and his son Wang Siyi, covering everything from astronomy to biology and daily tools.
• Implements and Tools original: "Qiyong" (器用). This section of the encyclopedia focuses on the "useful things" of the world, ranging from ancient ritual bronzes to contemporary Ming household items.
• Water Ladle original: "Shuidou" (水斗). A handled cup used for dipping water.
• Water Pourer original: "Yi" (匜). A vessel shaped like a teapot but without a lid, used for pouring water to wash hands during rituals.
• Washing Vessel original: "Xi" (洗). A broad, shallow basin specifically for ritual ablutions.
• Large Basin original: "Pen" (盆). A general term for deep basins used for containing liquids or food.
• Bronze original: "Tong" (銅). While literally "copper," in this context it refers to the high-quality bronze alloys used in antiquity.
• Staff original: "Gan" (杆). A rod or pole, which could refer to a ceremonial staff or a component of a larger tool.
• Mirror-Basin original: "Jian" (鑑). Before glass mirrors were common, large bronze basins filled with water were used for reflections; later, the term came to mean a flat bronze mirror.
• Dancing-figure Mirror original: "Wujing" (舞鏡). A decorative bronze mirror, likely named for the depictions of dancers on its reverse side.
• Beast-ringed Bowl original: "Shou-huan Meng" (獸環孟). A bowl (Meng) characterized by handles shaped like animal heads holding rings.
• Imperial Refined Bronze original: "Daguan Tonglian" (大官銅錬). This likely refers to bronze items produced or refined by the "Daguan" (Court of Imperial Entertainments), signifying high quality and official status.
• "Bo-zhan" Style Basin original: "Bo-zhan Lei-pan" (伯盞類盤). A platter or basin designed in the style of a "Bo-zhan," a type of cup named after a specific ancient lineage or rank.
• Earthenware Jug original: "Fou" (缶). A simple clay vessel used for wine or water; famously used as a percussion instrument in ancient times.
• Square-ruled Water Pourer original: "Ju-zhong Yi" (矩中匜). A pourer whose dimensions or decorative patterns strictly follow the "Ju" (carpenter's square/ruler).
• Incense Burner original: "Xunlu" (熏爐). A vessel designed to burn aromatic woods and resins for ritual purification.
• Flaring-handled Grain Vessel original: "Chi-er Qu-zi" (侈耳區齍). A ritual container for grain offerings (Zi) featuring flared or "extravagant" ears/handles.
• Scribe La-long Vessel original: "Shi-la-long" (史剌隆). This likely refers to a specific archaeological find or a famous bronze named after its original owner, a scribe (Shi) named La-long.
• Ritual Wine Cup original: "Jia" (斚). A tripod vessel with two prominent vertical stems on the rim, used for warming and pouring wine in ancestral sacrifices.
• Structural Vase original: "Gouping" (構瓶). A vase designed with specific architectural or structural aesthetics.