Former Residence of Huang Shiliu

Former Residence of Huang Shiliu

The former residence of Huang Shiliu is a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

The former residence of Huang Shiliu is located in Biyang Town, Yi County, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

Among the "Ancient Residences of Yi County," there is one named "Jiude Linwu House," which was the home of the outstanding late Qing calligrapher, painter, and founder of the "Yishan School" seal carving, Huang Shiliu. Despite the vicissitudes of time, it has been relatively well-preserved and has become a shining gem among many ancient residences.

In fact, there are two sites related to Huang Shiliu’s former residence. Aside from the commonly known "Jiude Linwu House," there is also a "Dasanjian" (literally “Three Large Rooms”) located west of the village, which is the birthplace of Huang Shiliu — referred to as the “original old house.” This building features high fireproof walls on all sides, with bricks protruding on the outer walls inscribed with the five characters “外存地六寸” (“Reserved Land Six Inches Outside”), a feature unique in Huang Village. Inside, the front part is a courtyard, the middle rear section has a central hall with two rooms on either side, and the upper floor is similarly laid out — hence the name. According to descendants, Huang Shiliu lived here from childhood through his youth. At age 56, when he returned to his hometown, he initially resided in this house, where he also displayed a full set of mahogany furniture brought back from Guangzhou. Due to crowding, he later built a new residence — "Jiude Linwu House." After moving, the "Dasanjian" was lent to others to live in. During the land reform in the 1950s, due to various concerns, Huang’s descendants did not dare to claim the house as their own property, and it was thus transferred to the residents then living there. Few people know about this backstory, which is why it is seldom mentioned.

The later "Jiude Linwu House" that Huang built upon returning to his hometown in his later years is situated several hundred meters east of the village’s water pavilion, and is a residence with strong Huizhou architectural characteristics — "blue bricks, small tiles, horse-head walls, corridors with hanging latticework windows." The surrounding environment is very tranquil, as it lies on the ancestral land of the Huang family. According to elderly villagers, the area from the water pavilion to Huang’s residence was once a large garden owned by the Huang family. Though now overgrown, traces of its former charm can still be faintly discerned. In front of the residence, a bamboo grove sways gracefully, its reflection mirrored in a clear, round fishpond where fish and shrimp can be seen swimming, clearly visible. Not far from the residence is the Huang family ancestral hall. Huang Shiliu once mentioned in an inscription on one of his seals: “My clan moved to Huang Village during the Song Dynasty, and the ancient locust tree in front of the ancestral hall also dates back to the Song era. Its lush shade covers half an acre, and its hollow trunk could hold ten people. It was destroyed in war in the second year of the Tongzhi reign, but the following year, new shoots emerged and grew into three trunks standing like tripods. My late father once composed a poem about the event. More than forty years have passed, and the trees have now grown taller than the eaves. I have chosen to settle nearby, and thus named the house accordingly.” Curiously, although the name “Jiude Linwu House” is engraved on the gate plaque and has become the established name, Huang actually used his study name “Guhuai Linwu House” (Neighbor of the Ancient Locust Tree) more frequently and never publicly referred to it as "Jiude Linwu House." It may be that between the two, Huang preferred the name “Guhuai Linwu House,” and using it externally avoided any appearance of boasting about “the virtues of his ancestors.” One might say he made a distinction between internal and external usage. This approach is also consistent with his unassuming personality. As a result, most people only know the study name “Guhuai Linwu House” and are unaware of “Jiude Linwu House” unless they see it with their own eyes.

Entering the main hall, the central room is a spacious and elegant living room, centered around a quadrangle-style courtyard, with rooms on both sides of the upper and lower halls. While it may not be opulent, it gives a sense of simplicity and grace. It is said that in the past, the main hall displayed a hand-painted “Bell and Tripod Painting” by Mu Fu (Huang Shiliu), as well as hand-carved wooden couplets reading “古槐择美里，瑞竹延清芬” (“The ancient locust tree chooses a beautiful place; auspicious bamboo extends pure fragrance”), and calligraphy gifted by close friend Huang Shaoxian: “A recluse’s resolve is uniquely stern; a master’s art is matchless.” The hall was exquisitely furnished, but sadly none of these can be seen today.

To the left of the main hall is Huang Shiliu’s study, “Guhuai Linwu House.” It is a single-story building with windows on the left wall, making it much brighter than the side rooms that rely solely on the courtyard for light. It served as the place where he collected various steles and paintings, read, practiced calligraphy and painting, and carved seals. According to his descendants’ recollections, on the eve of liberation, the study displayed a portrait of Mu Fu, and calligraphy by Tao Junxuan with the lines: “I can carve inscriptions on metal and stone; I must weep as I search for integrity within.” Directly behind the main hall is a small building called “Wen Meihua Guan” (Ask-the-Plum-Blossom Pavilion), also nicknamed “Xiao Mo Cao Tang” (Laughing-Grass Hall), built in the 28th year of the Republic of China (1939) by Huang Shiliu’s eldest son, Huang Shaomu. It connects to the upper floor of Huang Shiliu’s residence via a door. It can be considered an extension of Huang Shiliu’s residence. Although not as refined as the main residence, the western side of the building features a corridor where one can lean on the railing and gaze into the distance, taking in the mountain and water scenery of the entire village — perfectly capturing the poetic charm of “Here, not only is it suitable for misty rain, but clear peaks may also enter the window frame.” Thus, complementing the main residence, it also presents a uniquely charming style.

The former residence of Huang Shiliu has been designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Huangshan City.

Huang Shiliu (1849–1908), styled Mufu, also known as Juansou, was a native of Huang Village, Xiwu Township, Yi County. His father, Zhonghe, was skilled in poetry and prose, and particularly adept at small seal script. Huang Shiliu inherited his family's scholarly tradition from a young age and gained local fame by age 20. During the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, he wrote bookplates for a bookstore in Nanchang. His calligraphy was admired by Jiangxi’s educational commissioner Wang Mingluan, who helped spread his reputation. Through this connection, he met many notable figures of the time and traveled with renowned scholars such as Sheng Yu, Wang Yirong, and Wu Dacheng. He studied inscriptions on metal and stone artifacts, as well as painting and calligraphy masterpieces, greatly expanding his knowledge.

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