宋代 文人의 石刻 수집― 歐陽脩의 ≪集古錄≫을 중심으로

Abstract

The Song Dynasty is historically regarded as the golden age of Chinese culture. One of the driving forces of this golden age was the proclivity of writers of the time to collect certain items that they were fascinated with. This interest was called “Pi (癖)”, which referred to a type of affection that may be so strong that it can make people attached. Collecting works of art was not new to the Song Dynasty, but until that time only the royalty and nobility had been involved in it, and they mainly collected calligraphic works and paintings. In the Song Dynasty, collecting art became widely popular in writers’ circles, and the objects collected also became more diverse. One of the most notable forms of art collected by Song Dynasty writers were rubbings of stone inscriptions. Ouyang Xiu in the Northern Song Dynasty collected 1,000 such rubbings of stone inscriptions over the course of his lifetime, and compiled Collected Records of the Past. Before Ouyang Xiu, no one had ever engaged in the large-scale collection of such materials, nor left a record of information and comments on them and the process of their acquisition. He played a crucial role in cementing the collection of art as a major part of the culture of Song Dynasty writers. This study examines the distinctive aspects of Ouyang Xiu’s collection of stone rubbings. Firstly, his collection process is explored. Many items in the collection were located after many decades of patient searching and waiting on the part of Ouyang Xiu, who made use of all his connections with others and employed practically any means necessary to obtain them. Secondly, the purpose of his collection is investigated. Ouyang Xiu collected art works not in the public interest but solely for his own enjoyment. Thirdly, contemporary concerns about collecting rare items are examined, since Confucian intellectuals were called upon to avoid the obsession with material wealth. Beyond being the simple gathering of items, the collection of artworks became a unique part of the culture of Song Dynasty writers as a result of their reflections on desire.