Wang Chong 1494-1533

signed Yayi, with one seal of the artist, lü ji zhi yin

This Single Feather of Auspicious Light: Old Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, Vol. I, London: Sydney L. Moss Ltd., 2010, pl. 5, pp. 52-55

Artist's inscription:
Topmost peak, climbing myself, moving with sun, with moon;
Five Lakes below, just like a sash winding and turning about.
Mountains and streams in clear perspective, dividing southern regions;
Past and present, vast expanse! - veiling the Great Purity.
Ten thousand miles of wind-blown mist approaches seacoast hills;
A hundred years, this life of mine! - sad to be a floating weed.
I've never ridden far on cloudy carriages pulled by roc or crane;
I've sat quite still beneath pines and cedars, pouring thickened wine.

Penetrating void expanse, pure residence of immortals;
Wind-driven rains here cover with darkness obscure Primal Emptiness.
Waves beat the sides of fish and dragons - they cry out, time to time;
Vapours steam the mountain marshes, freely exhaling their mists.
Far out in the expanse, fragile sailboats move out towards limitless spaces;
Batch by batch, the flocking gulls freely wheel back in.
Zigzag balustrades, dainty bamboo blinds, amidst the cloudy fog;
Ten-day week, in high seclusion, lute and books scattered about.