Exhibition | Minhang Museum "Zhenguan Jian: A Theme Exhibition of Tang Dynasty History and Culture"

In Chinese history, the Tang Dynasty is known as the "Golden Age of Tang." Its glory lies not only in its vast territory or strong national power, but also in its open and inclusive civilization system that radiated in all directions. From political systems to cultural arts, from economic prosperity to social status, the influence of the Tang Dynasty transcended time and space, becoming a shining pearl in Chinese civilization and even world history... The Reign of Zhenguan was a period of political clarity, economic prosperity, and cultural brilliance created by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Since the era name at that time was "Zhenguan" (627–649), it is historically known as the "Reign of Zhenguan." "Zhenguan Jian: A Theme Exhibition of Tang Dynasty History and Culture" is a special exhibition of cultural relics. The exhibition carefully gathers 132 precious cultural relics from all over the country, delicately reconstructing a picture of the prosperous era of the Reign of Zhenguan. The exhibition is divided into four parts: "The Early Tang Dynasty," "The Initial Prosperity," "The Splendid Silk Road," and "The Legacy of the Prosperous Era." The cultural relics span from the Northern Zhou Dynasty to the mid and late Tang Dynasty, including 48 national first-class cultural relics, such as the Epitaph of Yuchi Jingde (unearthed from the tomb of Yuchi Jingde in 1971, the epitaph is a companion tomb of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and the text on the epitaph cover is in "Feibai style," which is the only epitaph in Feibai style in the country), gilded painted glazed pottery civil official figurines, tri-colored female horse-riding figurines, white porcelain horse with raised hoof, white porcelain Biyong inkstone, pottery chiwei, sunflower-edged luan beast bronze mirror, gilded silver pot, painted glazed pottery tomb guardian beast, etc. They present a three-dimensional and rich picture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty from various angles, such as political systems, social customs, and cultural exchanges. (It is a pity that the "Six Steeds of Zhaoling" did not come to this exhibition...) "Zheng, means correct; Guan, means show." "Zhenguan" means to show people the correct way. "Jian, means a large basin, also known as Jian Zhu, which can be used to fetch clear water from the moon." Zhenguan Jian contains the wisdom of governance and the spirit of the times of the Tang Dynasty. As a ruler, although Emperor Taizong of Tang's purpose of diligent governance was merely to maintain wealth and power and ensure the hereditary succession of the Li Tang Dynasty, he was still an outstanding politician in Chinese history. Taking history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of a dynasty. There are indeed many aspects of the Reign of Zhenguan that are worth learning from today...