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Jiaoxuelin yinpin 蕉雪林印品

Jul 23, 2023 © Ulrich Theobald

Jiaoxuelin yinpin 蕉雪林印品, short Yinpin 印品, is a classified catalogue of seals compiled by Zhu Jian 朱簡 (b. 1570), who also wrote the book Yinjing 印經.

The Yinpin was finished in 1611 and consists of 8 collections distributed over 5 volumes. The first part is a theoretical discussion on the history and art of seal carving (Yinzhang yaolun 印章要論). Parts 2-4 reproduce ancient seals made of metal, categorizing them into "Beginnings of the standard" (Zhengzhi 正始), "Rules of the standard" (Zhengze 正則), and "Ancestors of standard" (Zhengzong 正宗). Part 5, reproducing imprints of jade seals, is called "Change of the standard" (Zhengbian 正變). Part 6, called "Revival" (Fugu 復古), is dedicated to seals of the Ming period 明 (1368-1644). Collection 7 particularly presents fakes of ancient seals (Yanyin 贗印), giving reference to selections of Gu Congde's 顧從德 (1519-1587) book Yinsou 印藪. In the same way, the collection "Bad seals" (Miuyin 謬印) gives examples from the same book, as well as of minor-quality seals of contemporary carvers.

The two books of Zhu Jian are important contributions to the theory and standards of seal carving and is based on the study of original seals from the Warring States 戰國 (5th cent.-221 BCE) to the Ming period. It discusses the quality of imperial seals, the materials, script, and composition of the inscription – not to speak of recommendations of discerning originals from forgeries.

Sources:
Cui Erping 崔爾平, ed. (1990). Shufa zhuanke shuyu cidian 書法篆刻術語辭典 (Xi'an: Shaanxi renmin chubanshe), 107.
Wang Chongren 王崇人, ed. (2002). Zhongguo shuhua yishu cidian 中國書畫藝術辭典, Vol. Zhuanke 篆刻卷 (Xi'an: Shaanxi renmin yishu chubanshe), 112.
Zhang Fengbo 張逢波 (2020). "Zhu Jian Yinzhang yaolun kuikao 朱簡《印章要論》彙考", Wenhua chanye 文化產業, 2020 (29): 47-48.