法式善《臘八日訪仲梧元圃》 “Calling on Zhongwu and Yuanpu on the Eighth Day of the Twelfth Month”, by Faššan (Fashishan, 1752-1813)
- Rachelle
- Feb 2
- 2 min read
法式善《臘八日訪仲梧元圃》
“Calling on Zhongwu and Yuanpu on the Eighth Day of the Twelfth Month”, by Faššan (Fashishan, 1752-1813) [1]
粥香憶隔年，
琴響聽泠然。
詩味與之永，
禪心時一圓。
慣同梅作伴，
只有月相憐。
兩岸西涯柳，
先春已著烟。
Memories of yesteryear arise with the congee’s aroma, [2]
The zither’s notes fall crisp upon the ear.
A poetic flavour lingers long with them;
The meditative mind finds fulfilment in this moment.
Accustomed to the company of plum blossoms,
[I] have no one but the moon to offer sympathy.
The willows of Xiya [3] along both banks
Are already veiled in mist on the verge of spring.
* Faššan 法式善 (1752-1813), Cunsutangshi chuji lucun 存素堂詩初集錄存 (1807 edition), 15.8a-8b.
[1] Faššan was a Mongol Plain Red Banner official, writer, and book collector during the Qing Dynasty. It is unclear whom he is visiting and whether Zhongwu and Yuanpu in the title are the courtesy name and style name of the same friend or courtesy names of two friends.
[2] In many parts of China, especially where Buddhist facilities are common, it is customary to cook a ceremonial congee dish (laba zhou 臘八粥) with mixed grains, beans, dried fruit, etc. on the eighth day of the twelfth month in the traditional calendar. This festival falls on 26th January this year.
[3] Xiya refers to a pool in the northwest of the historic scenic area Shichahai 什刹海 in Beijing.
"Jubei yaoyue tu" 舉杯邀月圖 (Raising a cup to invite the Moon), album leaf by Ma Yuan 馬遠 (Chinese, c. 1150–after 1255)
Image credit: Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland
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