Opening date: 27 October 2012, Academia Sinica Open House

　　During the Han dynasty learning to read and write was known as “the minor learning,” while advanced education was called “the great learning.” In Szu-min yüeh-ling (The monthly decrees to the four peoples), Ts’ui Shi (103–170) said that during the first and eighth months, “young children are required to commence the minor learning, and they learn to write chapters.” The “chapters” they wrote were copied from primers, including Ts’ang Chie and Chi Chiu (Words in haste). In addition, children had to learn multiplication tables and the sexagenary cycle used in recording times and years. Literacy was regarded as the most important aspect of education, and primers were frequently revised during the Western and Eastern Han dynasties. “The minor learning” was effectively synonymous with primers.

Among the long, narrow strips of wood or bamboo inscribed with characters discovered in Chü-yen and Tun-huang are many fragments of exercise slips—passages from Ts’ang Chie and Chi Chiu, multiplication tables, and combinations from the sexagenary cycle. These, together with the discovery of an intact writing brush, prove that between the midpoint of the Western Han and the reign of Emperor Ming (57–75) of the Eastern Han, some soldiers serving along the frontiers were taught to write.

This special exhibition features a selections of Han slips, as the inscribed strips of wood or bamboo are known, excavated in Chü-yen. Most bear passages from Ts’ang Chie or Chi Chiu, examples of the sexagenary cycle, or multiplication tables written in clerical script, cursive script, or seal script. Some of the artifacts were selected for their exquisite calligraphy, sure to fascinate connoisseurs and tyros alike.

　　Museum Hours：

　　1.Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9.30am ~ 4.30pm.

　　2.Closed on National Holidays and Election Days.

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