Progress of Shi Jing Research in China and the World

LU Lei,JIN Hexian,Translated by LU Lei

The term "Shi Jing",which means "timescape",sums up the aesthetic essence of traditional Chinese landscape gardening,involving temporal changes and spatial-temporal integration.Ji Cheng(Ming Dynasty),in his work "Yuan Ye",refined and summarized this concept (the exquisite of Shi Jing)as a pivotal principle in garden design.

Shi Jing forms an integral aspect of Chinese landscape culture and is closely linked to the formation and evolution of traditional gardens and scenic spots.It reflects the wisdom of ancient inhabitants that lived according to the order of time and accompanying the scenery.Moreover,it embodies China's distinct worldview of the universe.However,upon examination of literature on the concept of "Shi Jing",there appears to be limited research available.The following observations are noted:

1) The research on Shi Jing is currently scattered.The concepts of "sky-scape" and"meteorologic-scape" are frequently used instead of "time-scape".However,these terms fail to fully encompass the comprehensive scope of "Shi Jing",and the investigation of the temporal aspect of landscape architecture is concealed within the analysis of landscape elements.

2) Currently,the research on the temporality of landscape architecture lacks a systematic framework,and the specific concept for "Shi Jing" has not been established.Most studies on the temporality of landscape gardens continue to incorporate time and space,expressing the spatiotemporal aspects of these gardens primarily through spatial studies.

In this way,this study offers valuable insights for the comprehensive exploration of the Shi Jing theory.

1 The Origin of Shi Jing

1.1 The origin of the aesthetic concept of Shi Jing

Shi (時,time): According to theExplaining and Analyzing Characters(Shuo Wen Jie Zi),"time is represented by the four seasons: spring,summer,fall and winter".In ancient times,our ancestors developed the concept of nature worship when confronted with natural phenomena such as the sun,moon,stars,wind,rain,lightning and other elements of nature.They also carried out various activities following the seasons,such as agricultural labor.This led to the popular adage,"sow in spring,develop in summer,harvest in autumn,store in winter".Rulers and philosophers developed theories of four seasons,"eight winds",the twelve two-hour periods,the twenty-four solar terms,and other temporal concepts based on the characteristics of time.Moreover,they elucidated the distinctive traits and associated customs of each season,and even incorporated ethical philosophy.

Jing (景,landscape): The concept of "Jing"is connected to ancestral practices of production,rituals,and reverence for natural elements like"wind" and "daylight".During Wei,Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties,the aesthetic system of landscape was constructed,and landscape poems and paintings related to the four seasons began to appear,which additionally contributed to the "garden poetry","theory of the four seasons in painting" and the construction of the "eight scenes" and "ten scenes" series of Tang and Song Dynasties.Especially Ten Views of the West Lake,originating from Song Dynasty,exemplifies a quintessential fusion of "the universe,the earth and the human beings"."Borrowing scenery from the four seasons" has become an influential way of landscape architecture that emphasizes the perception of the seasons.

The culture embodied by Shi Jing represents ancient wisdom regarding human habitation.Therefore,it is essential to examine in detail how each period of Shi Jing develops.

1.2 The classification of Shi Jing

In a broad sense,Shi Jing can be divided into two types: the regular changes in the universe,such as sunrise,sunset,and the cycle of seasons,reflect an astronomical landscape characterized by predictability and longevity;and the flexible and variable weather phenomena,such as clouds,fog,wind,and snow,represent a meteorological landscape known for its unpredictable and transient nature.While scholars often consider the concepts of "sky-scape" and "four seasons landscape" when classifying time landscapes,they have frequently overlooked the phenological landscape,which is equally influenced by time.Shi Jing remains in a constant state of flux,and the interactions between living and non-living elements contribute collectively to the natural environment in which we live.

Recently,scholars have embraced fresh perspectives and devised novel classifications in the study of temporal properties of landscape architecture.They have amalgamated the universe,the earth,and human beings to transcend the conventional classification of Shi Jing based solely on weather and the four seasons.This amalgamation extends the boundaries of traditional research on temporal aspects of landscape architecture and provides a fresh direction for systematic investigation of temporal elements.

2 Trends in Shi Jing Research in China and the World

In landscape creation,the Western approach emphasizes "imitation",while the Eastern,particularly China,focuses on "drawing from nature and understanding the source within".The Western understanding of time and space has been mostly dominated by philosophers and scientists since ancient Greece,viewing time and space through a "scientific" and "objective" lens.Even though the concept of eternal and changing time exists,it is rarely applied to the aesthetics of garden landscapes.On the other hand,the Eastern garden creation is primarily influenced by literature,such as poets and painters.Consequently,the study of time imagery also exhibits significant differences.This leads to variations in temporal research between the East and the West,as well as among different regions within the East.

2.1 Research scope of Shi Jing in Chinese landscape architecture

2.1.1 Research on landscape poetry and painting in the four seasons

The study of landscape poetry and painting in the four seasons can supplement the "scenery"concept's historical origins and landscape transformation process by addressing the specific styles and painting content of poetry and painting related to landscape architecture.However,scholars delving into this field generally come from literary or artistic backgrounds,and their focus tends to be on poetry (poets) and landscape painting(artists) themselves or on the connection between landscape painting (garden paintings,and garden maps) and gardens.It is therefore worth exploring additional reasons behind the emergence of seasonal landscape poetry and painting motifs,and their impact on the construction of landscape architecture.

In recent years,some scholars have begun to pay extra attention to the temporal expressions found in ancient garden maps and garden paintings.For instance,Wen Zishen and Feng Shida,while studying thePainted Album of the Garden of ArtlessAdministration by Wen Zhengming(Wen Hengshan Zhuo Zheng Yuan shi hua ce),attempted to propose a method of "revealing the seasonal and temporal aspects of garden experiences through visual representation".Unlike the Western perspective views,ancient Chinese landscape painting embodies temporal and spatial attributes.2.1.2 Research on time imagery

1) Regarding the study of individual time imagery,there is a greater emphasis on research based on celestial or botanical landscape elements.It mainly analyzes the forms and techniques of creation of various temporal images such as wind,rain,snow,moon,smoke,and clouds.At the botanical landscape level,plants exhibit seasonal variations and fragrances that embody the wisdom of the olfactory landscape.

2) The research on composite time imagery refers to the coupling of temporal factors in the study of different types of landscape gardens or their attributes and functions.Specifically,it explores soundscape smellscape and lightscape construction,reflecting the intertwining of multiple sensory experiences.On this basis,the concept of "Jing" (境) is formed.Therefore,the study of Shi Jing can extend to the broader concept of "Jingstructure" (營境).

3) The research on time imagery clusters mainly revolves around the investigation of clusters of scenic spots referred to as "eight scenes" or "ten scenes".

2.1.3 Integrated temporal-spatial research of gardens

Mr.Zong Baihua's summary of the ancient Chinese garden's temporal-spatial relationship indicates that the universe is "led by time".Consequently,many scholars consider gardens as "temporal-spatial integrated entities",where garden spaces serve as carriers of time,enabling people to experience time through garden space.In the garden,the use of landscape elements with temporal properties divisions enriches the spatial design.It achieves the effect of shifting scenes and meandering paths,creating a sense of vastness within a limited space.

The Chinese traditional concept of temporalspatial outlook reflects the imaginations of ancient people regarding an ideal world.This outlook resulted in the layout of gardens harmonizing with the passage of time.Gardeners encompassed the four seasons in their design,creating an ideal living environment with a romantic and distinctive charm.The ancients attached importance to health preservation in harmony with seasons in gardens,pursued an environmental layout that accommodates the wind and qi (氣),and created a pleasant experience of "warm in winter and cool in summer".These principles demonstrate the ancient Chinese garden wisdom in climate creation,which merits further exploration.

2.2 Research scope of time-scape in foreign landscape architecture

2.2.1 Research on time-scape in western countries

Influenced by a rational point of view,Western classical gardens have given limited attention to the aesthetic aspects of time.In recent years,however,some Western architects and landscape designers have gradually come to appreciate the beauty of time.For example,in 2012,the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) Landscape History Committee held a seminar with the theme"Landscapes in Time" in Detroit,USA.

The focus of foreign scholars on time-scapes is markedly different from the Chinese concept of Shi Jing.Especially in the last decade,Western designers' contemplation of time has exhibited a remarkable philosophical criticality,discovering temporal aesthetics through insights into the instant,landscape sequences,history,and the future.They believe that materials such as rocks,wood,and industrial heritage have preserved historical traces.And design itself can reflect the passage of time,seen through the seasonal and growing characteristics of plants and the longevity of buildings.

2.2.2 Research on time-scape in other east asian countries

Influenced by Chinese garden culture,Japan,South Korea,and other East Asian countries show certain similarities in their attention to time-scape.Japan's popular "Four Seasons Garden" (四季庭,shikitei) landscape model,especially their affinity for moon-viewing scenes,is an example.Moreover,scenic spots are regularly named in astronomical or meteorological factors,such as "Moon Peak Pavilion" (月峰亭) and "Moon Viewing Platform" (月見臺).However,their focus on the temporal aspects of landscape gardens is relatively small compared to China.

3 Conclusion and Discussion

Shi Jing reflects the process of dialogue between landscape architect and nature,celestial phenomena,and even the universe during garden creation and landscape aesthetics.Currently,a systematic theory of Shi Jing has not yet been established.Therefore,the following thoughts and prospects are proposed for Shi Jing research.

3.1 Exploring the process of Shi jing formation and the construction of Shi jing systems from a historical traceability

It is necessary to explore how Shi Jing was gradually transformed into an object of appreciation and further developed into a landscape wisdom within a four-dimensional perspective,attracting numerous literati and eventually becoming secularized.Shi Jing is not merely a type of landscape that focuses primarily on celestial phenomena over the course of a year or a day;it should encompass a considerably richer concept.The construction of time-scapes may also exhibit variations based on different regional and temporal perspectives,such as rural time-scapes,mountainous time-scapes,etc.

3.2 Constructing aesthetic criteria based on Shi Jing

The construction of the aesthetic system for Shi Jing (時景) should start from the perspective of Jing-structure,integrating the temporal essence of sound,fragrance,light and the typical tour experiences of literati,constituting an aesthetic system represented by "Shi Jing" (時境) to govern the spatial connotations of landscape architecture.

3.3 Exploring the application patterns of Shi Jing research

The study of Shi Jing enriches the cultural connotations of traditional Chinese landscape architecture and broadens the dimension of experience and perception of the residential environment.It holds significant practical implications in landscape garden planning and design,addressing current environmental issues(such as global climate change),and expanding the temporal attributes of the digital landscape field.