Wuzhu coins were first issued in 118 BC in order to stabilize the Chinese coinage by replacing banliang coins, which had become smaller and lighter during the early Han dynasty.
It is estimated that over 28 billion wuzhu coins were made during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 9). As the Han empire expanded, these coins came to be used further and further afield. Wuzhu coins have been found in modern-day Korea, Vietnam and Chinese Central Asia. The wuzhu was probably the most successful Chinese coin ever, and continued to be used until AD 621, when it was replaced by the Kaiyuan tongbao coin of the Tang dynasty (618-906).
The Admonitions Scroll
The Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies, a handscroll painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi
Tang dynasty, 6th-8th century AD
This is an eighth-century copy of the earliest and finest painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi (about 345-406). It illustrates a political parody written by Zhang Hua (about AD 232-300). The parody takes a moralizing tone, attacking the excessive behaviour of an empress. The protagonist is the court instructress who guides the ladies of the imperial harem on correct behaviour. In total, nine scenes were depicted on this scroll, but it is now incomplete; the first two scenes are missing, as well as the text to the first scene.
None of Gu Kaizhi's original works has survived, but he has still acquired a legendary status, both as a painter and as a writer on Chinese painting. He was given extensive coverage in the dynastic histories and the seminal text on painting, Li-dai ming-hua ji written by Zhang Yanyuan (about AD 847). Gu Kaizhi's reputation was probably helped by anecdotes about his eccentricity; he was said to have been perfect in 'painting, literary composition and foolishness'.
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