Kobayashi and "Member of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society"

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The seal "Member ofXiling Seal Engraver's Society" by Wu Changshuo


Xiling Seal Engraver's Society has collection of the seal "Member of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society" engraved by Wu Changshuo with Qingtian stone. According to the side inscription we can know that it was engraved for member of the Society Ge Changying by Wu Changshuo at the invitation of founder Wu Yin and Ding Fuzhi. In the "Record of Seals of Celebrities in Ming and Qing Dynasty" compiled by Ge and Hu Quan, this seal was included, but was lost later on, with whereabouts unknown. Until 1997, the seal "Members of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society" appeared in a Shanghai auction, and was auctioned to the honorary director of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society Kobayashi (1916-2007), whose real name is Yong-ho, from Japan Saitama County. He was a famous calligrapher and celebrity in seal engraving circle, and the full-time president of seal engraving league. In 2003, on the centennial occasion of Xiling Seal Engraver's Society, Kobayashi gave this seal as a precious gift to the Society, so that it could return to its hometown, which has become a much told tale in seal world.