JIANG, Weiqiao.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Wu Tai Shan. First edition, first printing, scarce in commerce, of this attractive visual paean to the sacred Wutai mountains and their famous monasteries. Since the sixth century, Buddhists have revered Wutai, believing that the path to enlightenment can be found among its monumental peaks. WorldCat records just the National Library of China's copy.The Commercial Press's Scenic China series, featuring some of the country's most famous natural and religious landmarks, tapped into a new vogue for domestic travel and pilgrimage in Republican China. The series was aimed at Chinese and foreigners alike, featuring bilingual instructions to help visitors plan excursions.Jiang Weiqiao (1873-1958), a leading historian of Buddhism and an official in the Ministry of Education, visited Wutai in October 1917 during an official inspection tour of schools in Shanxi province. His photographs capture its intricate temples, mysterious peaks, and calming solitude.

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