During the middle to late Ming Dynasty and subsequent periods, literati gardens and related writings reached their pinnacle, becoming a focal point of academic attention. However, most of the previous researches focused on Jiangnan region, where the literati garden culture and writings were the most flourishing. The exploration of interactions and dialogues between the prevailing culture of Jiangnan and the other regions still presents an area for further investigation. This study centers on the writings on the Spring Floating Garden of Xiao Shiwei, a notable figure in Jiangxi in late Ming Dynasty. It particularly focuses on the widely circulated “the Records of Spring Floating Garden” of that time, analyzing its landscape description and emotion-intention connotations. The discussion aims to illustrate how Xiao creatively portrayed unconventional and exquisite garden scenes and how he intricately expressed the leisurely pleasures and contemplations of his garden life. Through this exploration, the study reflects the distinctive aspects of late Ming social and cultural phenomena, including the pursuit of leisure and seclusion, the religious practice of lay Buddhists, and the combat between political factions. Consequently, this paper not only presents a case study deeply influenced by Jiangnan culture but also provides an understanding of the widespread appreciation for Xiao Shiwei and his garden by interpreting the profound meanings and artistic achievements in his poetic and prose writings, such as “the Record of Spring Floating Garden.”
Page：
55-96
Keywords：
Xiao Shi-wei; “the Records of Spring Floating Garden”; garden writings; the social culture in the late Ming Dynasty
BULLETIN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE LITERATURE NATIONAL CHENGCHI UNIVERSITY NO.41
