In late ninth-century China, woodblock printing revolutionized reading, transforming books into new cultural expressions. The Song dynasty (10th–13th centuries) marked the golden age of printing, with publishing flourishing across official and private sectors and producing a wide range of works. Rare Song editions, distinguished by meticulous collation, exceptional craftsmanship, and refined materials, functioned as both important scholarly resources and prized aesthetic objects for collectors.
A century ago, the Forbidden City became a public museum and transformed court treasures, including Song rare editions alongside precious artifacts previously reserved for nobility, into accessible cultural heritage. As circumstances evolved, the National Palace Museum’s collections established roots in Taiwan and, through various acquisitions, expanded beyond Qing imperial treasures. The Song dynasty book collection now comprises nearly two hundred volumes.
This autumn, we celebrate the centennial of the National Palace Museum and the 60th anniversary of its relocation to Taiwan. This exhibition showcases our finest Song dynasty rare editions while presenting recent achievements in research. It illuminates regional publishing and scholarly influence, traces the evolution of book formats, and invites exploration of aesthetic qualities, revealing a visual realm in which woodblock printing intersects with artistic appreciation.