Temple of Meng Gong

　　The Temple of Meng Gong is located in Shanlian Town, Huzhou City, approximately 28 kilometers from Huzhou. Shanlian is known as the "Capital of Chinese Brushes" and the birthplace of the Huzhou brush. The temple is dedicated to Meng Tian, the progenitor of brushes. Meng Tian was a famous general of the Qin Dynasty and, according to historical records, the originator of brush-making in China. Shanlian has a long history of making Huzhou brushes, which were already widely produced during the Southern Dynasties. The construction of the Temple of Meng Gong to honor Meng Tian is documented to have occurred no later than the Yuan Dynasty.

　　During the Republic of China period, the Temple of Meng Gong was rebuilt. It was destroyed during the Anti-Japanese War in 1943. In 1959, the temple suffered further damage due to the construction of factory buildings for the Shanlian Huzhou Brush Factory. The temple was rebuilt in 1992 and completed in April 1995. It now covers an area of 4,000 square meters.

　　The newly built Temple of Meng Gong features a traditional Chinese architectural style with a hip-and-gable roof and upturned eaves. The main hall is surrounded by corridors, all equipped with stone railings. Ten corridors stand in front of the main hall, displaying various types of Huzhou brushes. The corridor pillars and interior of the hall are adorned with plaques and couplets written by renowned calligraphers. At the center is a large painted statue of Meng Tian, his wife, and their son. Meng Tian is depicted wearing a military commander’s helmet, with his battle robe draped diagonally and armor visible on his right side. In front of the statue stands a redwood screen base engraved with the full text of Wang Xizhi’s “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion,” a masterpiece by the great Jin Dynasty calligrapher. The back wall features an oil painting by a Huzhou artist depicting “Meng Tian Making Brushes,” which illustrates the folk story of Meng Tian settling in Xibao Village, Shanlian, rescuing a drowning woman named Bu Xianglian, marrying her, and working with local village girls to develop the Huzhou brush and establish a brush-making workshop. The Huzhou brush, along with Hui ink, Duan inkstone, and Xuan paper, is known as one of the “Four Treasures of the Study.”

　　Meng Tian (?～210 BCE)　　Meng Tian (?–210 BCE) was a native of the State of Qi. He was a renowned general of the Qin Dynasty, known for his resolute loyalty and disciplined military leadership. He once commanded a large army to resist the Xiongnu, earning a fearsome reputation along the borders, and personally supervised the construction of the Great Wall, gaining fame throughout the realm. He faithfully fulfilled his duties and made significant contributions to the consolidation of the Qin Dynasty. Meng Tian came from a military family. His grandfather, Meng Ao, defected from the State of Qi to King Zhaoxiang of Qin in the late Warring States period and served as a Qin general starting in 249 BCE under King Zhuangxiang of Qin, achieving numerous military exploits. His father, Meng Wu, was a deputy general in the Qin Dynasty and led troops in battle against the state of Chu, capturing the Chu king. Influenced by his family from a young age, Meng Tian developed a passion for military strategy, martial arts, law, and literature. He studied penal law and even served as a prison official. When Qin Shi... More+