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Zhao Liewen’s Gardening Practices and Activities in His Diary Li & Yin

(2) Book collection space with Tianfang learning. It has been nearly 50 years since
Lou as its core then, and I haven’t gained achievements in
The studies and study courtyards of the Ming academy, nor have I established my
and Qing dynasties accommodated most of reputation, I have been taught many lessons.
literati’s activities when they were alone, they Since the South Building is completed, I use
were the results of an artistic system the plaque to name the hall downstairs to
[3]
development of a culture of seclusion and show that I dare not to forget” . There is a
scholar-official personality s [12] . Book square pavilion in the west of the building that
collection was flourishing in Changshu, and connects to the long corridor on the west bank,
Zhao Liewen very much liked collecting with a plaque that reads: “Learning Time
books. The space for book collection in the Leading to All Directions” (Xuebutongjin),
Tranquil Garden (Jing Pu) was large, with two which was the only path to the new Tianfang
sites of Heavenly Release Buildings Lou in the south islet, and a way for the
(Tianfang Lou), two sites of “Micro Book persuasion of learning.
Rooms” (Jianweishuwu), there were also a The original Seeing Micro Book Room
number of book houses and book sheds. (Jianweishuwu) was situated in the north
In the early stage of construction of the bank of the Tranquil Stream (Jing Xi),
house and garden, although there was only connected with the Distant Heart Hall
onebuilding Tianfang Lou as the library, a (Yuanxintang). The new Seeing Micro Book
whole floor was dedicated to storing books. Room (Jianweishuwu) was built near water
Zhao Liewen sighed in the “Eighteen Poems and located in front of the Green Forest Hall
on Choosing Where to Live” (buju shiba (Qinglintang). Qinglintang was a study hall,
shou): “In my whole life, I have used bags and an important place for viewing the Tranquil
cases to store paintings and books, which are Garden (Jing Pu), which could also be used to
now displayed along the four walls” [3] . accommodate others, on top of which there is
Besides the Nengjingju in the downstairs of a couplet that reads： “Clear spring, green
Tianfanlou, there was another Nengjingju in mountains, and lush woods, are enjoyed by
the downstairs of “Women’s Eyebrows those who are secluded and happy to keep
Language Building” (Daiyu Lou), with copies their faiths; chant, discourse, and education,
and stationaries set in the main hall and the are where elegance and generosity are
east hall: “I chose the best ones from gathered” . The diary often has words such
[3]
Confucian classics and famous paintings, as “study room,” “study pavilion,” “private
inscriptions, and books to store them here, school,” “study shed,” “study hall,” “study
which are enough for my retirement in the building,” “study tower,” and so on. Although
[3]
twinkling of an eye” . Zhao Liewen often the specific spatial positions of most of them
invited friends to appraise calligraphies: “I cannot be determined, the spaces for book
invited Xiao Gong to come to Tianfang Lou collection and reading implied by these words
where I store books to examine my all demonstrate that Zhao Liewen had used
[3]
calligraphies and so on” . In February of the book collection spaces very frequently, and
12th reign year (1886) of Emperor Guangxu, with the gradual change in pattern of the
the South Building (Nanlou) was completed house and garden, the name of Heavenly
on the south islet, Zhao Liewen moved the Release Building (Tianfang Lou) also
name board Tianfang Lou to name it here. changed with the pattern, and the book
The hall in the downstairs of the new collection spaces had always occupied the
Tianfang Lou was named “Moth Time Study best places in the building complex and
Pavilion” (eshishuzhai), which was used to landscape environments, maintaining its core
commemorate his late father and encourage position.
learning: “When I was eight, my late father
named his study ‘eshishuzhai’ to encourage

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