Tianyi Ge
He was passionate about reading and got "Jinshi" in 1532, a title given to candidates who successfully passed the highest and most prestigious level of the imperial examination in ancient China.
During its peak, Tianyi Ge had over 70,000 volumes, but because of issues like corruption, theft, and damage over time, only 13,000 books are left in the 1940s.
In Chinese alchemy Tianyi is linked to the element of water, thus it was believed by providing a watery name would protect the library against fire damage.
[4] The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty visited Tianyi Ge and instructed officials to create schematics of its building plans and bookcases as a prototype.
In 2021, the book restoration techniques of Tianyi Ge were included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage projects.
The area of Tianyi Ge has reached the peak including the main body of the museum (library), the garden and the traditional architecture.
In front of the library is the “Tianyi Pond,” surrounded by a garden designed with elements symbolizing “blessings, wealth, and longevity,” along with scenic spots like the “Nine Lions and One Elephant” made from stacked stones.
A wide variety of books, ranging from cheap versions of popular novels to expensive reprints of classics have a wealth of content.
As the books became cheaper, the number and scale of private libraries grew during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (1644-1912AD).
The design includes features to protect the books from fire and moisture, such as fireproof materials and a strategic layout to ensure safety.
This combination of practicality and artfulness makes Tianyi Ge an example of Chinese architectural design that integrates functionality with cultural symbolism.
During the Qing dynasty, Tianyi Ge gained further recognition through the imperial "Four Libraries" project, establishing it as a model for preserving and managing book collections.
Scholars who visited Tianyi Ge, such as Yuan Yao, contributed to compiling the library’s catalog, ensuring that its academic significance was passed on to future generations.
It played a crucial role in preserving important historical documents and scholarly works, ensuring that Chinese cultural heritage was passed down through generations.
The library’s impact on the scholarly community is profound, with its collections becoming essential resources for research in Chinese culture, history, and politics.
Its enduring influence continues to inspire scholars and bibliophiles worldwide, ensuring that the preservation of cultural knowledge remains a priority for future generations.
[17] In ancient times, fire prevention was crucial for preserving libraries, and water served as an essential ally in safeguarding these invaluable collections.
This symbolic design creates a natural barrier against fire, effectively protecting the pavilion's precious texts.
Its design embodies a balance of practicality and cultural symbolism, a careful harmony of form and function that has quietly guarded knowledge across centuries.Non-combustible materials were introduced into some key building components.
Non-combustible masonry could be used to create partitions between two adjacent buildings and set fire doors in certain key locations.
