The Four Arts of the literati—tea‑ceremony, incense‑burning, zither playing, and flower arranging—were essential practices for self‑cultivation and spiritual refinement among the scholar-official class in ancient China. Originating in the Han and Tang dynasties and reaching their zenith during the Song and Ming periods, they embody the traditional literati’s aesthetic sensibilities and spiritual aspirations. Transcending mere utilitarian purposes, these arts became tangible expressions of the literati’s wisdom for living and their artistic philosophy, continuing to shape the deep structures of Eastern aesthetics to this day.

This event is themed around Within the venue, classical garden architecture is seamlessly integrated with the four traditional arts—tea ceremony, guqin music, incense appreciation, and flower arrangement—creating an immersive, ancient‑style experience. Visitors can savor the beauty of traditional culture as they explore, echoing the poetic sentiment that “only by being there can one truly appreciate the splendor of spring.”

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1. Date: May 18

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2. Location: Exhibition areas on the first to third floors of Yumingtang

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3. Main activities: guqin performances, tea ceremony preparation, incense stick making, incense‑burning etiquette, scholar’s flower arranging, and round‑fan crafting.

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4. Event Schedule:

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9:30–9:50 Keynote Ceremony

Valentine's Day

The opening of “Youyuan”: Guqin performance of an excerpt from “Taocao Pao” in The Peony Pavilion.

Opening Ceremony: The officiating host conducted the garden‑opening ceremony using the “Four Arts” — tea, the guqin, incense, and flowers.

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9:50–10:30 Immersive Four Arts Experience (rotating by area)

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① Qinzhai: The Melody of Streams and a Soulmate

Audiences can enjoy performances of renowned guqin pieces such as “Liu Shui” and “Meihua.” Participants are invited to try playing the instrument and learn basic finger techniques.

Venue: First Floor

② Flower Chamber · Mirror and Illusionary Moonlight

The exhibition showcases floral arrangements in six distinct vessel styles, using plants and foliage as brush and ink to emphasize natural charm and the art of negative space. Through a masterful interplay of density and openness, and of substance and emptiness, it conveys the aesthetic ideal of harmony between humanity and nature. Visitors are invited to engage and interact, with floral artists on hand to share insights into traditional Chinese flower‑arranging techniques.

Venue: First Floor

③ Tea House: Spring Dew Brews Fragrance

Visitors can admire refined tea‑ceremony arts such as tea‑whisking, where tea powder is vigorously whisked into a frothy foam to achieve a velvety, milky texture, and experience the art of tea preparation firsthand.

Venue: Third Floor

④ Fragrant Chamber – Clouds and Dreams, Garments of Grace

Visitors can try their hand at crafting seal‑carved incense, using natural fragrances as a medium and employing techniques such as seal‑carving incense and indirect‑heat fumigation to evoke a serene and tranquil ambiance.

Venue: Third Floor

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10:30–11:30 Closing of the Elegant Gathering

Valentine's Day

Open mingling with guidance from professional instructors to craft handmade pressed-flower round fans as souvenirs, followed by a group photo. (Pressed-flower fans are limited to 30; participants may take their finished pieces home free of charge.)

Venue: Third-Floor Auditorium

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Precautions

During the event, please keep your mobile phones on silent and refrain from using flash. Participants are encouraged to wear light-colored hanfu or traditional Chinese attire.

In March 2025, the new Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics was officially promulgated and put into effect. To raise public awareness of cultural relic protection and strengthen efforts in this area, our museum has leveraged its role as a public exhibition venue to carry out nationwide legal education and publicity campaigns.

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Time: May 18 to June 18

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Location: Yumingtang Veranda

Instructor: Wu Fengchu (Director of the Tang Xianzu International Research Center in Fuzhou)

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Time: May 18, 2:00 PM–4:30 PM

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Location: Lecture Hall, 3rd Floor, Yumingtang

National Level-3 Museum

Chinese Qu Culture Education Base

Chinese Overseas International Culture Exchange Base

On-site Teaching Site of the Jinggangshan Cadre Academy of China

Jiangxi Province Patriotic Education Base

Jiangxi Provincial Base for Popularizing Social Sciences

Jiangxi Province Museum Demonstration Unit for Integrated Development

Jiangxi Province Primary and Secondary School Research-and-Practice Education Base