Fufu Chamber

Fufu Chamber

Fufu Chamber is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

Fufu Chamber, located at No. 91 Xiaowen Street, Haishu District, Ningbo City, is the private library of Mr. Feng Mengxuan, a renowned bibliophile and bibliographer from eastern Zhejiang. The name "Fufu" originates from the phrase in Wang Yanshou’s "Ode to the Lu Ling Temple Hall" in the "Wen Xuan": “A cunning rabbit crouches beside the pavilion,” which means "to stay humbly in one’s hometown without seeking fame, while devoting oneself to scholarship."

Feng Mengxuan (1886–1962), also known as Zhenqun, with the courtesy name Manru and the pseudonym Master Fufu, was originally from Cixi. From an early age, he had a passion for learning and immersed himself in study. He inherited 2,000 volumes of books from his father’s collection, "Qiuheng Studio," and resolved to "abandon indulgences, live frugally, and search for and acquire classic texts." At a time when ancient books and refined writings were widely regarded as useless, he meticulously collected volumes that had been scattered from private libraries in Ningbo since the Ming and Qing dynasties. These included works from Zhao Xian Hall, Dong Family’s Liuyi Mountain House, Ke Family’s Jinsage Residence, Xu Family’s Yanyu Tower, Zhao Family’s Yigu Hall, and Chen Family’s Fuzhe Tower. He personally reviewed and repaired these books over the course of more than sixty years, organizing nearly 110,000 volumes of ancient texts and 533 stone inscriptions. His collection especially featured rare and valuable editions, such as the Song Dynasty woodblock print of "Collected Works of Famous Stone Inscriptions by Ying Zhi," the Yuan Dynasty edition of "Topics on the Spring and Autumn Annals" and "Collection of Yuefu Poetry," the Ming Dynasty edition of "Poetry Collection of Wen Sui," as well as numerous manuscripts by notable individuals, including Qieqi Pavilion Anthology with annotations by Quanzusu, a handwritten copy of Yao Meimen’s "Yao Fuzhuang’s Poetic Manuscripts," and the manuscript of Shi Rong’s "Discourse on the Poetry of Li Changji."

Before his passing in 1962, Mr. Feng’s family fulfilled his dying wish to “preserve one hundred thousand volumes and turn private collection into public heritage,” generously donating Fufu Chamber and all its stone inscriptions to the state. The building itself is the front section of a traditional residential home, structured as a three-sided courtyard with the main house consisting of five bays and two wings.

The current structure of Fufu Chamber faces east and is flanked by wing rooms. In 1986, it underwent comprehensive restoration, and the central hall’s three rooms were turned into a memorial room for Mr. Feng Mengxuan, which was opened to the public. The books on the upper floor were also made accessible to scholars from Ningbo and abroad.

Scenic Spot Location

No. 91 Xiaowen Street, Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province

Feng Mengxuan (1886–1962), also known as Zhenqun, with the courtesy name Mengxuan (also written as Manru), and the pseudonyms Master Fufu, Chenghua Zi, and Miaoyou Zi. In his later years, he referred to himself as the “Lonely Elder.” Originally from Cixi, Zhejiang, his family later moved to near Shuifu Bridge in downtown Ningbo. At the age of 17, he passed the imperial examination of the Renyin year during the reign of Emperor Guangxu and became a student of the Ningbo Prefecture. In 1932, he served as the Director of the Yin County Cultural Relics Committee, where he worked on honoring past worthies and protecting cultural heritage. Mr. Feng had a lifelong dedication to learning and, after inheriting 2,000 volumes from his father’s "Qiuheng Studio," resolved to “abandon indulgences, live frugally, and seek out ancient texts.” Using the chaos of the warlord era… More details about Feng Mengxuan ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units