By Sim Chuin Peng
The Wan Boo Sow Chinese Library prominently features a large decal reproduction of a calligraphy piece by Pan Shou (潘受, 1911 – 1999), a celebrated Chinese calligrapher and poet in Singapore. The piece, titled “观书有感 (Reflections on Reading),” is a poem by Zhu Xi (朱熹, 1130 – 1200), a prominent Chinese philosopher, Confucian scholar, and educator during the Song Dynasty, This piece was gifted by Pan Shou himself to the library in 1998. The poem reads:
半亩方塘一鉴开
天光云影共徘徊
问渠那得清如许
为有源头活水来
Translation: “The rectangular pool, spanning half a mu (“亩” is a Chinese unit of area approximately 666.7 square meters or 0.165 acres), stretches out like a mirror, with the light and shadows of the sky’s clouds drifting across its surface. One might wonder why it remains so clear; it is because fresh water continuously flows from its source.” [Translated by author].
In this poem, the rectangular pool serves as an allegory for the experience of reading books. It is not characterised by stagnant water; instead, it is perpetually replenished with fresh water, ensuring its clarity and reflective quality, much like the sky and clouds that are mirrored on its surface. This metaphor encapsulates Zhu Xi’s ideal that consistent engagement with reading and the pursuit of new knowledge invigorate and renew one’s understanding and perspective. The concluding two lines of the poem are often cited to underscore the significance of welcoming a variety of ideas, thereby encouraging an ongoing influx of fresh thoughts and insights.
This work is chosen to be displayed at the library’s entrance to honour Pan Shou’s significant contributions to Chinese literature and calligraphy. The poem not only celebrates his artistic legacy but also aligns with the library’s purpose: to serve as a dynamic reservoir of knowledge and culture. By embodying the principles of continuous learning and intellectual clarity, the library would like to inspire visitors to engage in lifelong learning and to embrace diverse perspectives.
Pan Shou was born in Quanzhou, Fujian, China, on January 26, 1911, and relocated to Singapore at the age of 19. Renowned for his mastery in calligraphy and poetry, he began practicing the art at the age of eight, initially focusing on regular script influenced by Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿, 709-784) and Yu Shinan (虞世南, 558-638). He later explored inscriptions from the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties, as well as bronze and Stone Drum texts. In his middle years, Pan Shou concentrated on cursive script inspired by Sun Guoting (孙过庭, 646-691) and Huaisu (怀素, 737-799). His contemporaries acclaimed his work for its remarkable excellence and beauty, solidifying his status as a distinguished figure in calligraphy and poetry (陈声桂, 2004). Throughout his diverse career, Pan Shou held various roles, including newspaper editor, bank manager, and educator. He notably served as the founding secretary-general of Nanyang University, playing a crucial role in its early development and designing its logo. Pan remained a prominent cultural figure even after his passing in 1999 (陈声桂, 2004; 徐持庆, 2007; 衣若芬, 2016).
Pan’s artistic contributions were recognised with numerous accolades, including the Cultural Medallion in Singapore and the ASEAN Cultural Medal. His work is displayed at significant cultural sites in both Singapore and China, reflecting his influence in promoting Chinese art and literature.
In NUS Libraries Chinese Art Collection, there are also Pan Shou’s ‘Revisit Nantah’ (重过南园) and ‘Developing Abilities is Challenging Without Studying’ (非学无以广才) which beautifully showcase his artistic skill and enriches the library’s scholarly atmosphere.
To find out more about Pan Shou, look out for an upcoming story dedicated to the collection of the artist himself and to his calligraphy pieces in the library’s Chinese Art Collection, further celebrating Pan Shou’s contributions.
References
衣若芬 (2016). 海内存知己——新加坡“国宝”潘受. 华文文学(03),96-106.
陈声桂 (2004). 我所知道的潘受先生. 中国书画(03),126-127.
徐持庆 (2007). 新加坡国宝诗人潘受. 北京：中国社会科学出版社.
