This woodblock illustration, from the qin handbook Fengxuan Xuanpin (1539), is one of 38 showing what are said to be famous old qins. Compare the illustrations in Taiyin Daquanji, Folio 2, which is also one of 38, and in Taigu Yiyin (under Sima Xiangru), both of which show only the qins themselves.

In the illustration Sima Xiangru is playing the qin while Wenjun listens from another room. She found his qin play so seductive that she eloped with him. This illustration is connected to the melodies A Male Phoenix Searches for his Mate and Melody of Wenjun, while the opera Xi Xiang Ji used the story and lyrics in a famous seduction scene.

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1 On recording #1 I sing in unison with the qin; in recording #2 the relationship is more free. (More recordings at Hear Qin). Return)

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