Rong Bao Zhai

　　Destination Introduction
　　According to historical records, the predecessor of Rong Bao Zhai was “Song Zhu Zhai,” established in the 11th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1672 AD), and was renamed Rong Bao Zhai in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894 AD). It has a long history of over 300 years. Rong Bao Zhai is truly a time-honored brand in Beijing.

　　　　The founder of Song Zhu Zhai was a man surnamed Zhang from Zhejiang. Initially, he used his official salary earned while working in the capital to open a small “southern paper shop.” The shop’s business mainly covered three areas: first, painting and calligraphy paper, as well as various fan surfaces, mounted birthday and longevity couplets, etc.; second, various brushes, ink sticks, inkstones, ink boxes, water pots, seal paste, paperweights, brush racks, and other stationery items; third, the commission lists (so-called “commission lists” refer to pricing standards for artworks set by painters and calligraphers after being recommended by established masters. Song Zhu Zhai would handle orders on behalf of clients and take a commission. At the same time, those artists with listed commissions would also purchase paper, brushes, inkstones, and other supplies from the store, providing Song Zhu Zhai with a stable and considerable source of income.

　　　　At that time, among the most famous southern paper shops in Liulichang, “Song Zhu Zhai” was the most renowned, especially for handling official documents and scrolls. In peaceful times, officials in the court had little to do, so they would scrutinize submissions from regional governors for “non-standard characters” or inconsistencies in format, claiming it was for diligence in state affairs. Generally, when submitting memorials, the writing had to be in formal regular script following the Hongwu rhyme system, and one had to be especially mindful of the taboos related to the reign titles of emperors, such as avoiding references to “Heavenly Emperor,” “disobedience,” or “fallen ministers.” Any slight oversight could be pointed out by the reviewing officials, resulting in penalties ranging from salary deductions to demotions. Therefore, provincial governors were very cautious about selecting high-quality paper for their submissions. Song Zhu Zhai, well aware that the quality of the paper could significantly impact an official’s career, was extremely meticulous in this regard. Each blank sheet was selected by over ten people, and even the slightest ink smudge would relegate the sheet to the defective pile. As a result, its prices were more than 50% higher than those of other shops. However, every sheet sold was guaranteed flawless, giving buyers complete peace of mind. As a result, governors from all provinces knew that Song Zhu Zhai’s goods were reliable, which further boosted its business.

　　　　However, the owners of Song Zhu Zhai were from official families and were not adept at business operations. Especially in later generations of the Zhang family, who lacked the drive to succeed, mismanagement ensued. Coupled with the social and economic decline in China after the Opium War in 1840, the once bustling Song Zhu Zhai found itself on the brink of collapse and struggling to survive. To keep this reputable old shop afloat, the owner hired Zhuang Huchen, a well-connected figure among the capital's literati, as the manager. He was determined to innovate and transform the business. In the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (1894 AD), the shop’s name was changed to “Rong Bao Zhai,” meaning “Gathering literati friends through culture, and treasuring a good reputation as a precious gem.” The prominent calligrapher Lu Runxiang (the top scholar in the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty and former Supervisor of the Imperial College) was invited to inscribe the large plaque for “Rong Bao Zhai.”

　　　　Over time, as its business expanded, Rong Bao Zhai also became world-renowned for its unique skill—“woodblock watermarks.” Woodblock watermarking is a traditional Chinese manual printing technique. Prints produced using this method closely resemble the original paintings, often achieving a level of fidelity that is “indistinguishable from the real thing,” unmatched by any modern printing methods. Works produced by Rong Bao Zhai using woodblock watermarking, such as the “Seventy-two Seasonal Poem Sheets” and the “Twenty-four Solar Terms Envelopes,” were praised by Mr. Lu Xun and Mr. Zheng Zhenduo as the “outstanding among peers” (i.e., the best of their kind) among the shops in Liulichang.

　　　　Rong Bao Zhai’s woodblock watermarking craftsmanship has long been famous both domestically and internationally. The artisans in its production workshops are all masters in the field of art. Today, Rong Bao Zhai and its retail outlets continue to operate and develop various businesses, including selling authentic works or woodblock watermark reproductions by ancient and contemporary painters and calligraphers, supplying the four treasures of the study (writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone), and offering mounting, processing, and restoration services. Its affiliated entities—the Rong Bao Zhai Publishing House, Rong Bao Art Auction Company, Rong Bao Foreign Trade Company, and Service Company—also contribute to the creation and flourishing of calligraphy and painting arts, as well as the promotion of international cultural exchanges.

　　　　For centuries, this old shop has gone through many trials. Initially specializing in the four treasures of the study, it later began printing its own letter paper and poetry sheets, dealing in celebrity calligraphy and paintings, and antiques. The “Jin Shen” (official directory), “Twenty-four Seasonal Sheets,” and “Seventy-two Seasonal Sheets” published in the late Qing Dynasty were once highly prestigious in the capital. After the founding of New China, transitioning from private ownership to a joint venture and then to state ownership, Rong Bao Zhai has endured and become a renowned shop both in China and abroad. While focusing on researching, developing, and perfecting traditional techniques, it also collects scattered calligraphy and painting artifacts, becoming an important hub for promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing domestic and international cultural exchanges.

　　　　Today, on Liulichang Cultural Street, known for its vibrant atmosphere where “carriages of artists and scholars come and go, and nobles vie for prized scrolls,” Rong Bao Zhai remains elegant and serene. What has changed is that the cultural ambiance of the modern era is adding even more captivating brilliance to it.

　　　　The current plaque of Rong Bao Zhai was inscribed by the famous Chinese calligrapher Guo Moruo. Address of Rong Bao Zhai: No. 19, West Liulichang Street, Xuanwu District.

　　 Beijing Xuanwu District