Research On Gardening Activities And Thoughts Of Chen Ji-Ru

As a famous person of Songjiang in Late Ming Dynasty, to a certaindegree, Chen Ji-ru’s achievements in gardening could be regarded asSongjiang’s. Make a research on gardening activities and thoughts ofChen Ji-ru, we can fully understand himself. Besides, by analyzing ChenJi-ru’s gardens, we can fan out from point to area, knowing about thesituation of Songjiang’s gardens in Late Ming Dynasty, to improve andperfect the research on Songjiang’s classic garden. Furthermore, ChenJi-ru’s gardening arts and thoughts could provide some reference for thedesign and building of today’s gardens, especially the classic ones.Through delving into ancient literature, we made sure six gardenswhich made by Chen Ji-ru himself and used as bowers. And then, wefound out related data to these gardens, including the building time,derivation, garden factors, gardening acts, and so on. Afterwards, weacquired other materials related to Chen Ji-ru’s gardens. All of thesematerials laid the foundation for the research on gardening activities andthoughts of Chen Ji-ru.According to the above materials, we made a research on gardeningactivities and thoughts of Chen Ji-ru.(1)Following the time order, we combed the above six gardens. Atfirst, we analyzing the building time, derivation, garden factors,landscape, catching the thread of Chen Ji-ru’s gardening. By makingcomprehensive comparisons, we summed up the basic rulers.(2)Make a deeply analysis of the Formation and Features ofDongshe Mountain Villa. From the aspects of time and scale, we summarized the formation process of Dongshe Mountain Villa. Then, weprobed into the reasons why CHEN Ji-ru chose the Mount Dongshe andDongshe Mountain Villa could be carried out. By analyzing the layout,garden elements and gardening technique of Dongshe Mountain Villa, wesummarized its garden features.(3)Based on all of the above materials, we researched Chen Ji-ru’sgardening thoughts, and summarized him effect on the gardens both inlate Ming and early Qing Dynasty and Today.It drew a conclusion through the research and analysis.(1)Chen Ji-ru’s gardening thoughts resulted from the combinedaffect of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The two gardens inMount Little Kun filled with literati’s’ respect and admire to the sage;Gardens in Mount Zhonggu, Tianma and Xiulin, are related to Filial pietyof Confucianism; Moreover, the site selection of gardens in MountTianma, Xiulin and Dongshe was decided by geomancers.(2)The complexity of Chen Ji-ru’s identity promoted thedevelopment of gardening activities. The dual role as a hermit and asocialite made Chen Ji-ru more and more famous, which lead to thesituation that in the procession of gardening, Chen Ji-ru got much helpfrom people around. What’s more, great reputation gave Chen Ji-ruimmediate income, which provided economic protection for gardeningactivities.(3)Chen Ji-ru’s dual role as a hermit and a socialite bring about thecontradiction in the nature of Chen Ji-ru’s garden, which is a place ofboth seclusion and social intercourse.(4)There was a basic model in Chen Ji-ru’s gardens. Site collectionwas far away from the city; Buildings were small-scale and humble;Plants were liked by literati, such as orchid, chrysanthemum, plum,bamboo, as well as fruits and vegetables; Space was quiet and beautiful; Manages were in the charge of a special person designated; Garden life isrefined; The function of garden is to live in seclusion and enjoy life.(5)Chen Ji-ru’s gardening thoughts mainly displayed in three points:the first one was about site collection, which changed from “country” to“mountain”. The second one was about the function of garden, whichconstituted by two aspect. On one hand, Chen Ji-ru emphasized the thefunction of garden, on the other hand, he paid attention to wants fromdifferent people. The third one was about the deal of garden site, whichconstituted by two aspect, too. Facing good site, Chen Ji-ru made gooduse of it. On the contrary, he transformed.Main innovations and deficiencies of the research,It is the first time to do the research about Chen Ji-ru’s gardenssystematically, combing his gardening activities, and summarizing hisgardening thoughts. Because of the limitation of time, energy andmaterials, there are some issues, such as the complete layout of DongsheMountain Villa, the relationship between Chen Ji-ru and SongjiangGarden, Shanghai Garden even Jiangnan Garden, which needs furtherstudy.