#love and deepspace three pavilions prelude

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"Three Pavilions Prelude"/"兰亭集序"

Genre: Calligraphy, Poetry

Author: Wang Xizhi

Details:

In Zayne's "Moonlit Dream" memory story, a book merchant is overheard advertising two texts he has for sale. The second text mentioned is called "Three Pavilions Prelude" in the English version of the game (left). But in the Chinese version (right), it is shown as "兰亭集序"("Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion Gathering").

"兰亭集序"("Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion Gathering") (left) is a famous calligraphy piece by Wang Xizhi (right). Wang was a politician and writer from the Jin Dynasty who is often regarded as the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history. This particular piece was written by Wang at the end of the Spring Purification Ceremony in 353 CE. At the end of the day, twenty-six literati composed a total of thirty-seven poems. "兰亭集序" was then composed by Wang on the spot and served as a preface to this collection of poems. I've included the Chinese transcription as well as an English translation at the end of this post.

Transcription and Translation:

Chinese:

"永和九年，歲在癸丑，暮春之初, 會于會稽山陰之蘭亭，修禊事也。 群賢畢至，少長咸集。

此地有崇山峻嶺，茂林修竹； 又有清流激湍，映帶左右。 引以為流觴曲水，列坐其次； 雖無絲竹管絃之盛，一觴一詠，亦足以暢敘幽情。

是日也，天朗氣清，惠風和暢。 仰觀宇宙之大， 俯察品類之盛； 所以遊目騁懷，足以極視聽之娛，信可樂也。 夫人之相與，俯仰一世，

或取諸懷抱，晤言一室之內； 或因寄所託，放浪形骸之外。 雖趣舍萬殊，靜躁不同； 當其欣於所遇，暫得於己，怏然自足， 不知老之將至。 及其所之既倦，情隨事遷，感慨係之矣。

向之所欣，俛仰之間，已為陳跡， 猶不能不以之興懷； 況修短隨化，終期於盡。 古人云： 「死生亦大矣。」 豈不痛哉！

每覽昔人興感之由，若合一契； 未嘗不臨文嗟悼，不能喻之於懷。 固知一死生為虛誕，齊彭殤為妄作。 後之視今， 亦猶今之視昔， 悲夫！

故列敘時人，錄其所述； 雖世���事異， 所以興懷，其致一也。 後之覽者，亦將有感於斯文。"

English:

"In the ninth year of Yonghe, at the onset of late spring, we have gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in the North of Kuaiji Mountain for the purification ritual. All the literati, the young and the aged, have congregated.

This location has high mountains and steep hills, dense woods, and tall bamboo, as well as a clear, limpid stream reflecting the surroundings. We sit by a redirected stream, allowing the wine goblets to float beside us on its winding course. Although without the accompaniment of music, the wine and poem reciting are sufficient for us to exchange our feelings.

On this day, the sky is clear, the air is fresh, and a gentle breeze is blowing. Looking up, we admire the vastness of the universe; looking down, we see the myriad works of poetry. Letting the gaze wander and the mind roam, one can fully enjoy the pleasures of sight and sound, truly a delight. People's interactions with each other quickly pass through a lifetime.

Some would share their ambitions in a chamber; others may freely indulge in diverse interests and pursuits. The choices are plenty and our temperaments vary. We enjoy the momentary satisfaction of pleasures that regale us, yet we hardly realize how swiftly we age. As desires fade and circumstances change, grief arises.

What previously gratified us will soon be a relic, we cannot help but mourn. Whether life is long or short, there is always an end. As the ancients said, "Death and birth are momentous." How agonizing!

Reading the past compositions reveals a consistent melancholy from the ancients. One may find themselves lamenting in response to their words, unable to articulate their feelings. It is absurd to equate life with death, and it is equally foolish to think that longevity is the same as the short-lived. The future generations will look upon us, just like we look upon our past. How sad!

Hence, we record the people presented here today and their works; Even though time and circumstances will be different, the feelings expressed will remain unchanged. Future readers shall find the same empathy through this collection of poems."