China: Zhang Junrui meets the beauty Yingying in the Night Garden. Scene from the Xixixiang Ji or 'Romance of the Western Chamber', Wang Shifu (1250-c.1337), woodcut by Minqiji, 1640

The Story of the Western Wing or Xixixiang Ji, also translated as Romance of the Western Chamber, is one of the most famous Chinese dramatic works. It was written by the Yuan dynasty playwright Wang Shifu, and set during the Tang dynasty (618-907).

it is the story of a young couple consummating their love without parental approval, and has been seen both as a 'lover's bible' and 'potentially dangerous', as readers were considered in danger of pining away under its influence.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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