Haiyue zhilin 海嶽志林

Haiyue zhilin 海嶽志林 is a collection of stories on the painter Mi Fu 米芾 (1051–1107) compiled during the late Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Mao Zijin 毛子晉, who is better known as Mao Jin 毛晉 (1599-1659), the great collector and publisher of the series Jindai mishu 津逮秘書.

The Haiyue zhilin compiles the deeds and surviving writings of the renowned calligrapher and painter Mi Fu from the Northern Song period 北宋 (960-1126). With his masterful ink washes and delicate brushwork, he conveyed the vastness of mountains and seas. For this reason, he was honoured with the epithet "Elegant Man of the Sea and Mountains" (Haiyue Junren 海嶽俊人), which also became the title of this book.

By the Ming period, Mi Fu's collected works Baojinzhai ji 寶晉齋集 had already been lost. Mao Zijin's collection compiles 105 anecdotes about Mi Fu and other renowned figures, highlighting their natural temperaments, making it a valuable source for the history of painting. Some stories vividly illustrate how Emperor Huizong 宋徽宗 (r. 1100-1125) admired Mi Fu, capturing the deep bond between ruler and subject and highlighting Mi Fu's exceptional talent and refined spirit. Other chapters describe the artist’s deep affection for his inkstones, treasuring them as if they were his very life. The book's discussions on Mi's artworks are equally noteworthy. The collection also features detailed analyses of Duan inkstones (Duanyan 端硯 and Xuancheng paper (Xuanzhi 宣紙).

In his later years, Mi Fu dedicated himself to collecting calligraphic works from the Jin period 晉 (265-420), naming his studio Baojinzhai 寶晉齋 "Hall of Treasured Jin". His assessments of ancient masters reveal exceptional discernment. Wherever he chose to live, he sought out locations with graceful mountains and clear waters; in his old age, he also gained insight through Zen practice.

Overall, this collection captures Mi Fu's noble artistic temperament and reclusive spirit, his focus on art grounded in lived experience, and his belief in drawing inspiration from nature's essence. It serves as a valuable resource for the study of Chinese art history and research on Mi Fu.

The text is included in the series Biji xiaoshuo daguan 筆記小說大觀.