The Three Kingdoms era can fairly be said to have been one of the most dramatic periods in Chinese history. The Battle of the Red Cliff, 1,800 years ago, marked the commencement of a new era, in which China was divided into three kingdoms. Stories of the Three Kingdoms are still told today, not only because this was a time of great heroism, but also because of the vivid depictions of events from this time in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, thanks to which the personality and deeds of the great figures of the period have continued to influence and inspire people right down to our own time. I am sure that most of the people visiting this exhibition will, at one time or another, have been enthralled by Cao Cao’s ruthlessness, Liu Bei’s simplicity and virtue, Guan Yu’s chivalry, Zhang Fei’s bravery, Zhao Yun’s good judgment, Zhou Yu’s strategic cunning, and Kong Ming’s wisdom. Over time, their courage and other virtues became core values at the heart of centuries of traditional popular culture.

 

The more than 100 artifacts shown in this exhibition, which have been loaned from over 30 museums throughout China, depict a comprehensive picture of the history and culture of the Three Kingdoms era. The artifacts include bronzes, decorated tiles, paintings and calligraphy, seals, ceramics, lacquerware, gold and copper vessels, wood-carvings, and modern handicrafts with the Three Kingdoms theme. The earliest pieces date from the Eastern Han dynasty, the most recent from the twentieth century; they thus cover a time span of nearly two millennia. The exhibition focuses on three main themes: the official histories of the era, the period as depicted in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the continuing influence of the Three Kingdoms era in modern times. It is anticipated that, by presenting the era from different angles and on different levels, and by adopting wide-ranging approaches, it should be possible to present a comprehensive picture of military affairs, technology, the economy, daily life, art, religion, etc. in the Three Kingdoms era, as well as the influence that the history of the Three Kingdoms has exerted on later generations. In studying the ebb and flow of the power struggle among the Three Kingdoms hegemonies, and the planning that the generals and strategists undertook in their effort to secure control over the whole of China, we can see how each battle and each stratagem influenced the course of political events. The ups and downs of this conflict, with all its fascinating details, are deeply imprinted on our consciousness. The countless books that have been written about the Three Kingdoms era, as well as the many movies, computer games, etc. of recent times, have succeeded in maintaining a high level of interest in this period, not only among people in Taiwan and China, and ethnic Chinese in other parts of the world, but also among our neighbors in Japan. When the Great Romance of the Three Kingdoms exhibition toured Japan in 2008, it attracted more than one million visitors, setting a new record for the largest number of visitors ever to a China-themed exhibition in Japan.

 

The National Museum of History would like to thank Media Sphere Communications of the Want Want China Times Media Group, Art Exhibitions China, and the other organizations that have provided sponsorship or assistance for the holding of this exhibition. We are confident that, besides helping to promote cross-strait exchanges and strengthen the ties of friendship between the people of Taiwan and of China, this exhibition will also broaden the historical understanding and perspective of Taiwan’s citizens. Museums have an important role to play in integrating historical, artistic, educational and technological resources; I am confident that the artifacts and traditional handicrafts shown in this exhibition, as well as the imaginative presentation techniques (which are both fun and educational, and succeed in creating a fascinating atmosphere for the exhibition), will give visitors an unrivalled sense of the arts and culture of the Three Kingdoms era, while at the same time creating a meaningful conversation with the past.