Imperial Collection of Small-sized Editions
The kerchief-box editions, be they transcribed or printed, that have been preserved to
the present day are mostly simple in appearance and lacking in adornment. As such, they
are generally regarded to have circulated only in the private market for the
convenience of scholars or the enjoyment of collectors, and are not deemed fit to enter
imperial collections or be published by the imperial printing workshops. However, the
National Palace Museum's collection boasts many kerchief-box editions from the Song to
the Qing dynasties, mostly Buddhist scriptures, manuscripts by princes and court
ministers, and imperial printed texts.
During the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors (1661-1796) in the
early Qing, the Imperial Printing Workshop at the Wuyingdian Hall was charged with the
task of releasing court editions in regular binding formats, known as dianben (palace
editions). It also produced small-sized titles at imperial orders. In addition,
small-sized texts presented to the emperors by court ministers were also seen. These
small-sized editions were sometimes customized to cater to imperial wishes. They either
conformed to regular binding formats or were notable for the exquisiteness and elegance
of their binding materials, presenting a different style from their privately produced
counterparts. Such works provide a glimpse into the personal tastes of the emperors.
-
Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra (The Lotus Sūtra)
Translated by Kumārajīva, Later Qin dynasty
Ouy ang-style small-type imprint, Song dynasty -
-
Yuzhi Ni Baijuyi Xinyuefu (Imperial Edition of Bai Juyi's Yuefu Poems)
Written by Emperor Qianlong, Qing dynasty Imprint based on the manuscript of Wang Jie, Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty
-
-
Qinding Siku Quanshu Jianming Mulu (Simplified Catalogue of the Complete Collection of the Four Treasuries)
Compiled on imperial order by Ji Yun, et al., Qing dynasty Court manuscript written in black-lined columns, Qianlong reign (1736-1795), Qing dynasty
-