On June 4, 2024, the esteemed scholar of bibliography, Mr. Jin Shen, visited Duke Kunshan University Library, accompanied by Mr. Xueming Qi and Mr. Jianhua Wu from Yushan Cottage (玉山草堂). Dr. (Helen) Hong Xu, University Librarian of Duke Kunshan University, greeted the guests warmly and graciously hosted the visit.
Mr. Shen has dedicated many years to the study of bibliography and previously served as the head of the Chinese Rare Books Collection at the Harvard-Yenching Library, Harvard University. During the visit, Mr. Shen generously gifted his latest 4-volume publications, to DKU Library, and several other autographed copies of his works to Dr. Xu, in which he shared his decades of experience and insights in the field of ancient Chinese books and bibliographic studies.
Dr. Xu led the guests on a tour of the Library, highlighting the exhibition of Kunqu artifacts in the Library Atrium. This exhibition was curated from the collection of Mr. Shousong Yang, a national first-class writer and an expert of Kunqu.
Dr. Xu guided the guests around the Library
Despite being Mr. Shen’s first visit to the Library, a serendipitous connection united him with Mr. Yang. In a documentary report titled “The Saga of Iron Qin and Copper Sword Tower” (铁琴铜剑楼传奇) that published in Qingming magazine in 1985, Mr. Yang eloquently narrated the story of Mr. Fengqi Qu, a colleague and mentor who worked with Mr. Shen for twenty-five years.
“The Saga of Iron Qin and Copper Sword Tower” published in Qingming magazine
After exploring the Library’s collections, Dr. Xu invited the guests to the Tea House where they could engage in deeper discussions amidst the display of Kunqu Yishu Dadian (昆曲艺术大典).
Mr. Shen graciously inscribed a title for Duke Kunshan University Library. He expressed his deep appreciation for the Library’s efforts in preserving and disseminating ancient texts.
After the Library visit, Dr. Xu and the guests went to Bacheng Town and visited the Wenhai Building for Chinese Ancient Books Collection by Mr. Gang Shen (文海楼古籍善本藏书) and Shousong Yang Studio (杨守松工作室).
