Stele of Song Jun

The Stele of Song Jun

The Stele of Song Jun is a cultural relic protected at the provincial level in Hebei Province.

Nangong Stele of Song Jun

Time Period: Sui Dynasty

Location: Nangong City Cultural Center, Xingtai City, Hebei Province

Cultural Relics Level: Provincial

Approval Date: July 23, 1982

The Stele of Song Jun, officially titled *The Great Sui Stele of Magistrate Song of Nangong*, also known as the *Nangong Dingjue Temple Stele*, and commonly referred to as the *Sui Stele* or *Stele of Song Jun*, is located in Nangong, Xingtai, Hebei Province, and is a key provincial cultural relic under protection. The abbess of Dingjue Temple, nun Da’an (known as the “Beautiful Nun”), wished to commemorate Magistrate Song Jing of Nangong who had the Dingjue Temple built in the 11th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty. She commissioned the text to be written by Liu Xuan (courtesy name Guangbo) from Hejian and personally oversaw the carving of the stele text, resulting in this monument. The calligraphy on the Stele of Song Jun is in the Han clerical script style, inheriting the legacy of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Its structure is rigorous, the strokes are fluid, and it conveys a sense of graceful elegance. The overall charm and character are simple yet vigorous, rich in artistic appeal. As one of the rare surviving Sui Dynasty stelae inscribed in dignified and beautiful clerical script, it was praised by Xing Tong as the “Three Perfection Stele” — perfection in text, perfection in calligraphy, and perfection in the engraved title. Currently, the stele is housed within the compound of the former site of the 129th Division Headquarters on Beida Street in Nangong. Having endured through the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, much of its inscription has been eroded over time. This stele is the only surviving treasure of Sui Dynasty clerical script culture in China and holds extremely high historical significance.

The Dingjue Temple Stele features a body made of bluish stone, with a coiled-dragon capital and a turtle pedestal, embodying the stylistic characteristics of the Sui Dynasty. On the reverse side of the stele is the engraved title: “The Great Sui Stele of Magistrate Song of Nangong.” The text was written by Liu Xuan (courtesy name Guangbo) from Hejian. The calligraphy is in Han clerical script, following the traditions of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Its structure is strict and the strokes are smooth, giving off an impression of graceful movement. The overall style is simple and majestic, full of artistic vitality. Having withstood the test of time through the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties—over fourteen hundred years—it stands as one of Nangong’s treasured historical relics.

The renowned Ming Dynasty literatus and calligrapher Xing Tong (courtesy name Ziyuan) praised this stele for having “Three Perfections”: perfection in text, perfection in calligraphy, and perfection in the engraved title. Later generations refer to these as the “Three Excellences.” Xing Tong, from Linyi County in Shandong Province, was equally famous for his calligraphy as Dong Qichang, earning the joint accolade of “Dong in the South, Xing in the North.” In the fourth year of the Wanli era (1577 AD), he served as the magistrate of Nangong for five years.

It is currently housed in the compound of the Cultural Relics Protection Office on Beijie in the old city.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units in Hebei Province