Abstract:In 1919, Zhu Qiqian’s discovery of the Song dynasty’s architectural treatise, Yingzao Fashi, in Nanjing led to the printing of the renowned “Ding edition”of this work. Subsequently, he entrusted Tao Xiang with the task of meticulously reviewing and publishing the Tao version of Yingzao Fashi in multiple editions of “Fashi”. Zhu’s endeavors culminated in the establishment of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture , alongside the publication of the Journal of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture. Eminent scholars such as Liang Sicheng and Liu Dunzhen were invited to join the society, marking the initiation of a systematic exploration of Chinese ancient architectural history within the academic community. This paper delves into the intricate depths of the ancient architectural masterpiece, Yingzao Fashi, originally published during the Song dynasty. Liang Sicheng’s involvement in this endeavor commenced in 1925 when he received a copy of Yingzao Fashi from his father. Throughout the turbulent years of the AntiJapanese War, Liang remained steadfast in his dedication to comprehending and researching the intricacies of Yingzao Fashi. His relentless pursuit of understanding and interpreting the ancient Chinese architectural system led him to remarkable discoveries, such as the identification of the main hall of Foguang Temple, a Tang dynasty building. This arduous academic odyssey, initiated by Zhu Qiqian’s 1919 discovery and culminating in Liang Sicheng’s magnum opus, An Annotation of Yingzao Fashi, officially published in 2001 as the seventh volume of Liang Sicheng’s Complete Works by China Architecture & Building Press, spans more than half a century. It represents the enduring commitment of several generations of Sinology to unravel the enigmatic intricacies of ancient Chinese architecture and construct a comprehensive history of this remarkable heritage.
