Wangshiyuan ji 網師園記

Wangshiyuan ji 網師園記 is a description of a famous garden in Suzhou 蘇州, Jiangsu, written during the high Qing period 清 (1644-1911) by Qian Daxin 錢大昕 (1728-1804). It was completed in 1795 and is included in the author's annalistic biography, Qian Xinmei Xiansheng nianpu 錢辛楣先生年譜. Qian is known for his critical history Nian'ershi kaoyi 廿二史考異. He also authored the books Qianyantang jinshi wen bawei 潛揅堂金石文跋尾, Shijiazhai yangxin lu 十駕齋養新錄 and Hengyanglu 恒言錄. His collected writings are known as Qianyantang wenji 潛揅堂文集.

The Wangshiyuan ji begins by exploring the original meaning of the term "garden", then discusses the author's motivation for writing this account. It details the geographical location and surroundings of the Master of Nets Garden, and notes that the garden was originally named Wangsi Garden 王思園 (after a lane in Suzhou), further explaining the cultural significance behind the name "Master of Nets". Finally, it describes the spatial layout of the garden and outlines its major scenic spots. The expression "Master of Nets", reflecting the style of the first owner, Sun Kuoting 宋慤庭, alludes to the chapter Yufu 漁父 "The old fisherman" in the book Zhuangzi 莊子 and the poem Yufu 漁父 attributed to Qu Yuan 屈原 (d. 278 BCE).

The Master of Nets Garden is one of Suzhou's renowned classical gardens. It was probably constructed around 1765 by Song Kuoting. According to Chu Tingzhang's 褚廷璋 book of the same name, Wangshiyuan ji 網師園記, from 1796, the garden then belonged to Qu Yuancun 瞿遠村, and its layout had undergone numerous changes. After 1818, it came into the possession of the Wu family 吳氏 of Huizhou 徽州. During the Tongzhi reign-period 同治 (1862-1874), it was acquired by Li Hongyi 李鴻裔 (1830-1885), who renamed it Eastern Neighbourhood of Suzhou (Su Donglin 蘇東鄰). Since then, both the ownership and scenery of the garden have changed several times, experiencing considerable transformation. The existing garden record written by Qian Daxin holds certain historical value, as it accurately preserves the garden's original appearance.

The text is also included in the series Zhongguo lidai mingyuan jizhuan zhu 中國歷史名園記選注, published in 1983.