The Social Life of Inkstones Read Along: Chapter 3

[forestofglory]

Welcome to the second post of our read a long of The Social Life of Inkstones: Artisans and Scholars in Early Qing China by Dorothy Ko! For this post we are reading: "Chapter 3: Suzhou"

Previous posts:
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2

You are welcome to join in at any time!

In this chapter we meet Gu Erniang and several other inkstone carvers and some of their patrons. Here are some optional discussion questions:

What where the main arguments in this chapter? Did you find them convincing?

Did any historical figures introduced in the chapter stand out to you? In what way?

Did any of the inkstones or other objects in the chapter stand out to you? In what way?

What did this chapter make you want to learn more about?

Did anything in this chapter remind you of fiction you enjoy? Or inspire creative writing thoughts fic or otherwise?

(I might be slow to respond because my wrist has been acting up again)

Comments

[forestofglory]

Going to finally answer some of my own questions here!

I'm sure this chapter had an argument so much as it was trying to ground us in what little is know about the actual Gu Ernaing before we move on to talk about her image in popular culture.

I love the image of Gu Ernaing sitting and talking about inkstones while sipping tea and looking at the garden!

In terms of objects. I really enjoyed all the pictures of tools here.

The ancient name of Suzhou is of course Gusu so the city is forever associated with Caiyi, Clould Recesses and various Lans in my mind.

[rhysiana]

I love the image of Gu Ernaing sitting and talking about inkstones while sipping tea and looking at the garden!

Same! That little section giving a glimpse of her visit with the other artisans was great.

The Suzhou/Gusu link was one I definitely noted. If Wei Ying opened up a shop in Suzhou, I think it would definitely be on this street.