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1873
'On the fifteenth day of third lunar month born in Hangzhou' 21
'My original name was Gao, style name was You-Lai, literary name was Xin-Kan, ......, Lai-Bao was my nickname as a child. ' 8
1878
'When I was 6 years old, my late brothers: Bo-Ying and Zhong-Wen, along with my late aunt, began to teach me to read and write. ' 1
1879
Became interested in seal inscription. 'Every time when I saw Brother Shu-Ping inscribing seals under night-lights, I was always so excited that I would not go to sleep. Next morning, I would look at his seal prints and comment on them. ' 1
1880
'I began to study Zhuan style characters at the age of eight.' 1
'Inscribed his first seal at the age of eight.' 2, 6
Inscribed his first seal: Safe and Sound, at age of eight. It was mentioned in his side notes of another seal. 21
1884
'In the fall of 1884, I went to Deqing County with my late father for his appointment of the county magistrate. I started my formal education after my late father hired private teachers and tutors. I did not like what was popular at that time, instead I enjoyed inscribing and painting in my spare time. ' 1
1888
'In the fall of 1888, my late father was relieved of his office, my family moved back to the capital of the province. ' 1
1889
'In the winter of 1889, I collaborated with two of my late brothers, Shu-Ping and Ji-Tai on following three joint works: "Unparalleled Charts" and "The Legend of Chivalrous Swordsman" (both collections were name seals), "Wa-dang Seals from Qin and Han Dynasties"(imitation in scaled-down sizes). ...... During this period, I tried "Stories of Noble Men" and "Fairy Tales of Immortals" (both collections were name seals). I also imitated many official and private seals from Zhou, Qin, Han and Wei dynasties.' 1
Inscribed seal: Home among Jin-Ao Twelve Mountains '. 22
1890
'When I was 18, I published "The Remuneration for the Owner of Wen-yu-shan-guan" to pay for my wine. My relatives and friends praised my move instead of dismissing it as vainly attempt.' 1
1891
'Since then, I imitated inscription characters and ancient official/private seals, studied Yin-qi, Zhou-zhuan, Fen-li characters and styles, hoping that I could gain strength from ancient artworks. ' 1
1892
Inscribed seal: 'There is Ample Scope for One's Innate Abilities' 9
1895
'In 1895, he joined Hu-Ning Railroad. Since then, he worked for the railroad and Hu-Hang-Yong Railroad as well. ' 2, 6
1897
Inscribed seal: Xin-An. 4
1898
Inscribed seal: Yi Gu House 9
1899
'In 1899, Tong, Da-Nian and Huang, Shan-Shou from Wujin County, went to Tianjin seeking official posts. They worked as assistants on the staff of Ha, Da-Rui and Wen, Shao-Ru. ' 19
1900
Depicted painting: East Ling's Five-Color Landscape. (It was side-noted by Shao Pei-Zi, and it is now collected by Zhejiang Province Museum. )14
The governor of Zhili Province asked Ha to introduce Tong to join his staff. Tong did not want to associate with such evil person. He resigned his post and returned to Southern China along with Huang, Shan-Shou. 19
1901
Inscribed seal: Made in Xin Chou Twenty-Nine Years Old. 4
Inscribed seal: One's Unfortunate Life Depending on Fishing and Wood-cutting. 20
1902
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian. 9
1903
Inscribed seal: Taken from Nature. 4
Inscribed seal: Made by Da-Nian. 20
1904
'Fall of 1904 I changed my name to Da-Nian, with style name Xin-Kan.' 8
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian. 9
Inscribed seal: My Name was Gao Originally, was Changed to Da-Nian in 1904. 20
Inscribed seal: Hearts that Beat in Unison are Linked. 20
1905
Inscribed seal: Gu Ying Recluse. 9
1906
Inscribed seals: Descendant of Governor of Danyang, Settle Down When Feel at Ease, Self-Happiness Room. 9
Also inscribed seal: I Feel at Ease since I Conduct According to My Values. 20
1908
Inscribed seal: With High Proficiency. 20
1909
Inscribed seal: The Inscriptions on Bronzes and Stones are Endowed by Nature. 20
Inscribed seals: Xin-An & Da-Nian's Seal, Green Cloud Lan Rou. 20
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian's Fine Collection of Art to be Remembered with Gratitude. 20
Also inscribed seal: No Vulgar In This House. 23
1911
Inscribed seals: Every Layman Admires His Reputation, Buddhist Monk Xin-An. 9
1912
Inscribed seal: Xin-An. 9
1913
Wrote calligraphy: Sacrificial vessels and books become important because of ceremonies; all I can do is inscribing on bronzes and stones. 11 (vol. 4)
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian. 9
Inscribed seal: Double Fu-Gui Wine Vessels House. 20
Also inscribed seal: Get Along With The Sky Above And The Earth Under. 23
1914
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian Benefit Daily9, and Seal of Ge Nan10.
1915
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian, Looked Over by Da-Nian, Tong Da-Nian's Seal, and Xin-Han. 9
1916
Inscribed seal: I Got the Tian-Long One Finger Zen. 20
1917
Inscribed seal: Home at West Ling. 7 (No. 13)
Also inscribed seals: High-Spirited and Vigorous, Xin-Kan. 9
1918
Depicted painting: Red Plum Blossom. 14
Inscribed seals: Tong Da-Nian, Da-Nian's Seal, What Xin-Kan has Acquired, Spread Ink in Spring Time, Xin-An Got It , The Stone-Carved Portrait Collected by Da-Nian. 9
1919
Inscribed seal: Scholar's Plan. 4
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian's Hobby, Da-Nian Healthy and Successful. 9
1920
'In 1920, he resigned from the job because he was tired of business affairs and office politics. He made his living as an artist of seal inscription, calligraphy and painting.' 2, 6
1921
Wrote Zhuan style calligraphy: History says the great nation originated from grass land; people celebrate a harvest year by offering sacrifice to Grain God. 15
Inscribed seal: The Wine Vessel Never Empty. 20
1922
Inscribed seals: Peace of Mind is the Only Medicine, Blooming Flowers, Full Moon and Long Life. 20
Inscribed seals: The World Seems Wider After a Bottle of Wine, Not to Seek Deep Understanding, Suck up Wine under Moonshine. 20
Also inscribed seals: Huo Huo House & Stamp of Seal Collection in Huo Huo House, Da-Nian's Seal, Xin-An's Collected Treasure, Da-Nian, Beneficence and Nature are Beyond Physical Existence. 9
Wrote Li style calligraphy: Seek official emoluments forever; and Zhuan-wen calligraphy: Made by Good Luck and Great Prosperity. 13
Inscribed seal: More Auspicious. 23
1923
Inscribed seal: Green Cloud House. 9
Inscribed seals: Xin-An Takes His Job Seriously, Open Mind and Respond Spirit, Self-Conscious Old Man. 9
1924
Inscribed seals: Cloud of Gui Mountain, Find the Scenery Pleasing to the Mind, Da-Nian, Relaxed and Joyful. 20, 9
Inscribed seals: When did the Moon Begin to Shine & Lifting My Cup I Ask of Heaven , When Today is Over, There will Be Tomorrow Not Today Anymore. 20
Inscribed seal: Lei Feng Piece Stone House. 20
Inscribed seal: With Compliments from Da-Nian. 20
Inscribed seal: Hua Yan Miao Ji. 20
1925
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian Happy, Small Pine, Retired Scholar Who Borrows Leisure, Remain as a Habit. 9
Inscribed seal: Noble man does not understand what humble means; Rich person does not know what poverty is. 14
1926
Inscribed seals: Drink Alone in Spring Time, Tong, Da-Nian Imitates Han Inscriptions. 9
1927
Wrote calligraphy as a gift to son-in-law, Dao-Zhi. 8
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian's Investigation and Collection, Understanding Hearts Stay Close. 9
1928
Inscribed seal: Seek Happiness While Drink You May. 9
1929
Wrote Zhuan-wen calligraphy:Stay on cloud touching tree branches, eat river-side mushrooms; Carve palaces inside Moon, inscribe mirror of the flower room. 19
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian, Depend on Oneself & Depend on Oneself , Nothing is Better Than Having a Cup of Wine in Hand &
How Often Can One See the Moon Shining Right
Over One's Head . 9, 20
1931
'He was back in public office for over a year as the secretary of the civil administration of Jiangsu Province after he accepted the invitation from Hu, Pu-An, a close friend of his.' 6
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian's Seal & Xin-Han. 9
1932
'After January 28, 1932, he moved his family to Hangzhou.' 2, 6
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian Forever Rich. 20
Inscribed seal: Fortunately There Are Mountains to Take Care Of Clouds . 23
1933
Wrote the antithetical couplet: 'West Ling Inscription Is a Millenarian Glorious Society, East Han Stones Were the Triple Old Tablets.'; the brush movement is vigorous and powerful; it can be seen on the stone pillars of Three Old Men's Stone House inside the compound of West Ling Inscription Society. 6, 11
Gave a photograph of self portrait to son-in-law, Dao-Zhi. 3
Inscribed seals: Command as One Wishes, Gui You, Xin-Kan, Xin-An Recluse, Da-Nian. 9
1934
Inscribed seal: Cannot be bored of looking at West Lake. 4
Painted fan that was side-noted by Shao Pei-Zi and is now collected by Zhejiang Province Museum. 14
A classified Ad was posted by a few friends of his on the first issue of "Seal Inscription, Calligraphy and Paintings", the art supplement of "Southeast Daily News". 17
West Ling Inscription Society published "Tong, Xin-Kan's Seal Inscription", as volume 8 of the total 9 volume "Current Chinese Inscription Collection". 18
Several issues of "Seal Inscription, Calligraphy and Paintings", the art supplement of "Southeast Daily News", also published some master pieces of his ancient artwork collection. 17
Inscribed seal: Among Jin-Ao Twelve Mountains, the Fifth Kid Under the Pine. 20
1935
Wang Yun and Lou Xin-Hu collaborated on the painting: Portrait of Mr. Tong Da-Nian at Age 62. 14
Inscribed seal: Tasting Wine Away from All Worries. 9
1936
Inscribed seal: Da-Nian's Seal & Xin-Kan. 20
1937
After August 13, 1937, he and entire his family sought refuge in Hu, Pu-An's house in Shanghai. 2, 6
Inscribed seals: Da-Nian, Da-Nian's Seal 9,
Xiao-Song, Drink a Full Golden Cup of Wine in Hurry. 20
1938
Inscribed seal: Stamp of Seal Collection in Huo Huo House. 20
According to the Editorial Afterword written by Eiki Sano: He started collecting ancient seals, charts, calligraphy, paintings and tablet impressions when he was young, however most of his collections were damaged or lost during World War II when Japanese Imperial Army attacked Shanghai on January 28, 1932. Fortunately he gave the 60-volume "Xi Yin Ji Lin" to the son of his close friend Mr. Lin, Shu-Chen as a present, which survived the war and later was published in 1938. 21
Inscribed seal: Five Times Refuge in Forty Years. 20
1941
Presented Seal of Liu Family's Second Son, Yong-Lin, style name Ba-Zheng to his son-in-law, Liu Ren-Huan, as a gift. 3
1942
Inscribed seal: Look After Each Other for Long Time. 9
Inscribed seal: Blooming Flowers, Full Moon and Long Life. 20
1943
Wrote postscript to the book "Mr. Tong, the Kid's Inscription"; planned and prepared the publication of the book; inscribed seal: First Edition Thirty Books, Four Volumes Each Book; Cost One Thousand Yuan; Mr. Gu wrote foreword. 1
Wrote Li-style calligraphy: In peace time, man has everything that he should have, and has nothing that he should not have; During war time, man has nothing that he should have, but has everything that he should not have. 13
Wrote side note for poet, Gao Chui-Wan's painting: Composing Poem in Wind and Rain. 16
Inscribed seal: Tong Da-Nian. 20
1944
Mr. Hu wrote preface to the book, "Mr. Tong, the Kid's Inscription". 1
"Mr. Tong, the Kid's Inscription" was published. 2, 10
Wrote Zhuan-wen style calligraphy that is now collected by Zhejiang Province Museum. 14
1945
Inscribed seal: Recover One's Youthful Vigor. 20
1946
Inscribed seal: Live Forever and Never Grow Old. 20
Wrote Zhuan-wen calligraphy: Singing under the pine; open-minded following the example of bamboo. 3
Depicted flowers painting as a present to another son-in-law, Liu Ren-Huan. 3
1947
Tong, Da-Nian, Xin-An, Green Cloud House, Age of 73 in 1947, from Jiangsu Chongming. 11 vol.6
Painted fan that was side-noted by Ci-Hu and is now collected by Zhejiang Province Museum. 14
Collaborated with Ruan Xing-Shan, Xu Cang-Yi, and Lou Xin-Hu on flowers painting. 14
1948
'He went back to Hangzhou in 1948, and lived there till he died. ' 2, 6
Tong, Da-Nian, Xin-An, Green Cloud House, Age of 76, Born in 1873, from Jiangsu Chongming, Hangzhou Fan-Si-Qian Bin-Gan-Long 21. 12
1952
Wrote Zhuan-wen calligraphy: After tea time in slippers, having a drink in loose clothing; preparing candles in stars shining night, getting ready for a dinner party after first snow. 3
Wrote Li-style calligraphy: Benevolent gentleman has long life, Long Live Forever. 3
Painted fan that was side-noted by Shao Pei-Zi, and is now collected by Zhejiang Province Museum. 14
1953
On December 19, passed away peacefully. 2
References
1 Postscript to the book "Mr. Tong, the Kid's Inscription" by Mr. Tong Da-Nian himself
2 Relatives' Reminiscences
3 Dr. Liu Ci-Jun's Private Collection
4 Professor Lin Qian-Liang's Private Collection
5 "Shao Pei-Zi Seal Collection Chart"
6 "Chongming Historical Records" (pp. 902, vol. 35, Personage) published by Shanghai People's Publishing House in March 1989.
7 "West Ling Art News"
8 Side notes on Yi Zhi Tu, a present to son-in-law, Dao-Zhi
9 "Mr. Tong, the Kid's Inscription"
10 "Chinese Seal Inscription Chronology" by Han Tian-Heng
11 "West Ling Inscription Society Historical Records"
12 "West Ling Inscription Society Member Signature Collection"
13 "Calligraphy Theory" Vol. 30
14 Public Collection of Zhejiang Province Museum
15 "A Hundred Antithetical Couplets in Zhuan-style"
16 "Tong Da-Nian, a Master of Seal Inscription and Calligraphy" by Gao Xin published on Calligraphy News No. 462 May 19, 1993.
17 "Seal Inscription, Calligraphy and Paintings", the art supplement of "Southeast Daily News"
18 "Current Chinese Inscription Collection" published by West Ling Inscription Society
19 "The Celebrities of West Ling" by Professor Lin Qian-Liang
20 "Tong Da-Nian's Inscription Chronology and Major Life Events" by Harry Yu Tong
21 "Mr. Tong, Da-Nian's Seal Inscription", which was compiled by Eiki Sano and published by Tokyo Publishing House in 1989.
22 Professor Tong Yan-Fang's Private Collection
23 Mr. Miao Bin's Private Collection
The above chronology was compiled by two of Mr. Tong Da-Nian's children: Mr. Tong Qi-Xiong and Professor Tong Qi-Qing, in collaboration with Mr. Tong's artwork collector and researcher, Professor Lin Qian-Liang, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of West Ling Inscription Art Society in 2003. Its English version was compiled and published on this website on January 9, 2004 by Harry Yu Tong, a grandson of Mr. Tong Da-Nian.
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