Museum
19:12, 15-Jan-2019
Loaning of antique masterpiece to Japan causes outrage
Updated
20:40, 17-Jan-2019
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The Taipei Palace Museum has been condemned for loaning a centuries-old calligraphy masterpiece - considered one of China's most precious ancient treasures - to Japan.
"Draft of a Requiem to My Nephew" was written by Yan Zhenqing in the year of 758, to immortalize his nephew Yan Jiming, and his cousin Yan Gaoqing, who died in a Tang Dynasty (618-907) civil war.
The work is well known as one of China's three running script calligraphy masterpieces.
A poster for the exhibition of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy in Tokyo, Japan. /Photo via Tokyo National Museum
A poster for the exhibition of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy in Tokyo, Japan. /Photo via Tokyo National Museum
However, news of the fragile treasure's loan to the Tokyo National Museum didn't go down well in Taiwan or the mainland.
Taiwan media reported that the calligraphy work hadn't been displayed publicly for more than a decade, because of its vulnerable state.
Some experts agreed that while cultural exchanges are important, there has to be a limit, and lending such treasures was inexcusable.
One wrote: "You never see the Louvre loan The Mona Lisa to others".
They're worried that the long-distance transportation and the new environment could do untold damage to the masterpiece.
Taiwan's netizens denounced the decision as an unnecessary over-extension to Japan, with one student commenting: "I now need to fly to another country to appreciate our treasure."