Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar

The "four arts"¹ (si yi) can also be called the "four leisure time pleasures (yanxian si shi).² However, these seem to be rather late expressions (Ming dynasty?), and neither is as common as the expression "qin qi shu hua",³ which names them: qin-chess-calligraphy-painting. Qin qi shu hua is also apparently a quite ancient expression, with references dating from the Tang dynasty, while the earliest reference I have found for si yi is the following quote from Sketches of Idle Pleasures (Xianqing Ouji) by Li Yu (1611-1680), who was known as an advocate of education for women.⁴ In order for young maidens to have self-confidence their activities should often include the four arts: qin, chess, painting and calligraphy.

My folk art screen, featuring ladies, seems to well illustrate the opinion expressed by Li Yu.⁵ The four arts are also depicted on a number of high quality porcelain objects,⁶ emphasizing the broad range of popularity of this theme. In scholars' paintings, such as the set of four scrolls below, it was not uncommon to structure a depiction of an elegant gathering of gentlemen around these activities.

Not everyone was comfortable with the association of qin with a competitive game, as indicated by the following passage from Qinxue Zongshu (1910).⁷

Question: Which is superior, the qin or chess?

Answer: The quadruplet qin-chess-calligraphy-painting has been used since the time of Huizong (emperor, 1101-1125) of the Song dynasty. But in reality the qin is an instrument that embodies dao, and as such it is entirely different from chess. The qin is near to Daoism, it teaches one how to subdue the scheming mind. To illustrate this the tune Oulu Wang Ji was made. But for playing chess one needs just such a scheming mind. Chess experts often suffer form hemophtysis and general decline in health. The qin, on the contrary driving away sickness, is a first basis for attaining prosperity. Therefore it is quite the opposite of chess."

Nevertheless, qin qi shu hua was a well known theme in scholars' paintings, as below.

18 Scholars, by Du Jin (16th c.), in the Shanghai Museum;⁷ from right: qin qi shu and hua at an elegant gathering (top).

Footnotes (Numbers refer to entries in Zhongwen Dacidian)

1. 4782.799 四藝 (si yi): qin qi shu hua
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2. Four Leisure-Time Pleasures (燕閒四適 Yanxian Si Shi)
This is the title of a book edited by the Fujian scholar 孫丕顯 Sun Pixian. Qin Pleasures is the first section. Si Shi (四適 3/xxx; 4782.xxx); Yanxian Si Shi (燕閒四適 19876.163 only 燕閒﹕休閒); Sun Pixian (孫丕顯 7135.xxx).
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3. 21579.62 琴棋書畫 (qin qi shu hua): elegant arts; reference is given to 法書要錄 Fashu Yaolu (17638.158): compiled in the Tang dynasty by 張彥遠 Zhang Yanyuan. Another early reference is quoted in QSDQ, Folio 17, #7. The same expression is also found in Japan as kin ki sho ga; the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art had a large Japanese screen painting on this theme (translated as the Four Accomplishments) on display in 2002/3.
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4. See the Hanyu Dacidian, Vol. 3, p.601. For a good English reference on the four arts (or the "four gentlemanly arts") see pp. 51-53 of the article referenced in a footnote to the melody 18 Scholars Ascend Yingzhou.
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5. The folk art screen was bought in Hanoi, but I later found the same item in Shanghai, mounted differently.
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6. Ceramic examples
The 19 September 2007 sale of Fine Chinese Ceramics, Jades and Works of Art, in New York, featured at least two vases with this theme, lot #s (no longer online) 267 and 276. Unfortunately neither online illustration showed the side with the qin player.
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7. See the Beijing facsimile edition, Vol. 11, p.8. Translation is by R.H. Van Gulik, Lore of the Chinese Lute, pp.47-8 (spelling adjusted).
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8. These online images were made by photographing small ceramic copies sold in the Shanghai Museum Gift Shop.
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Return to the Guqin ToC or to miscellanea.