Real relics from 'Red Cliff' story

China's storied history has been brought back to life at the Shanghai Library with the assembly of over 100 cultural relics from a number of Chinese museums for an exhibition about the Three Kingdoms period (220-280).

This period of extreme upheaval was a time of special significance for China, with the warring kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu constantly allying, dividing and trying to destroy each other.

A brainchild of Japanese philosopher Ikeda Daisaku, the exhibition features the only surviving calligraphic work from Cao Cao, the warring King of Wei, as well as a jade burial outfit unearthed in Haozhou, Anhui province.

The Three Kingdoms story remains hugely popular in Asia. Part of the period was most recently revived in John Woo's blockbuster Red Cliff, where Cao Cao was depicted as an expansionist warlord, a supreme strategist and the de facto 'bad guy' who engages in a decisive battle at Red Cliff with his opposite numbers Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

And, ever since writer Luo Guanzhong's (1330-1400) original narrative Romance of the Three Kingdoms was published in the 14th century, each ruling dynasty has not once failed to re-evaluate the deeds and personalities of key players in the story to help validate their own legitimacy.

Today, even in modern times, the story continues to be considered one of the country's three must-read books in learning about China's long history and culture.

For the exhibit, Chinese and Japanese experts and historians traveled widely throughout China for three years, visiting over 70 historical sites and 34 museums to amass 117 cultural relics from the period.

Other exhibit highlights include bronze sculptures of horses and chariots, clay sculptures of people playing board games and several weapons invented by the legendary strategist Zhuge Liang. Artwork inspired by the Three Kingdoms period is also on display, and the prints, picture books and shadow puppets all showcase the warring heroes of that time.

Following its current month-long stop in Shanghai, the exhibit will move on to various Chinese provinces. The show last year attracted over 1 million visitors on its tour across seven Japanese cities.

Until May 17

Shanghai Library

1555 Huaihai Road M.

淮海中路1555号, 上海图书馆

Tel: 6445-5555

Tickets: 30 yuan

(China Daily 04/24/2009 page13)