A country’s rise and fall is regular and repetitive. To be born in a time of peace, or a time of annihilation, is divine providence devoid of choice. But to uphold goodness and eradicate evil, to preserve loyalty and crusade integrity, can be ascended.

Huang Tsung-yen (黃宗炎 1616-1686) of the Ming dynasty once raised a righteous army against the invading Manchus, he was defeated and escaped to a monastery. Later he was twice arrested and was almost executed. He died poverty-stricken, yet he never contemplated on surrendering.

Hand carved inkstones by Huang Tsung-yen was mentioned in books but rarely seen. This inkstone in particular has calligraphy engraving by Chiang Shih-chieh (姜實節 1647-1709) on the sides and calligraphy engraving by Mei Ch’ing (梅清 1623-1697) on the box cover. It is a grand artwork that encapsulates the noble spirits of three Ming loyalists. It encourages the thinking men and women of today to break the cycle of rise and fall by moral interventions, to unburden life and death by sanctifying Compassion and Righteousness.

Curatorial and Editorial Department