A Mighty Text to Save the World
A Mighty Text to Save the World
Thrilled to revisit a fascinating project from our archive – the printing of a 1850 Chinese woodblock titled “A Mighty Text to Save the World.”
In a delightful throwback, Tim Barrett from the Department of the Study of Religions and Philosophies at SOAS University had reached out to us for this unique venture. As a political artist, I was immediately captivated by the significance of this woodblock. What’s intriguing is that the only readable text in reverse on this block is the powerful title, “A Mighty Text to Save the World.” To delve into the full paper, check out the attached document.
Tim’s paper takes us on a journey exploring the crucial role of wood in East Asian print and manuscript culture. It provides a historical survey of wood in printing, offering context for its use in conjunction with the West and its employment in the main religious traditions of China – Daoism and Buddhism.
In the second part, Tim introduces a late Qing woodblock from Yunnan featuring “A Mighty Text to Save the World.” This piece offers a voice from the Panthay Rebellion of 1856–1873 that might have otherwise been lost to history. The paper concludes with a reflection on surviving woodblocks as a source of untold narratives and the importance of adapting libraries to preserve these valuable materials.
While this project is from our archive, its significance and the insights it provides remain timeless. A heartfelt thank you to Tim Barrett and the Department of the Study of Religions and Philosophies at SOAS University for this enriching collaboration!
