Chinese society has a deep tradition of contract.
Whether it is buying and selling a field house, borrowing a pawn, or a partnership, a domestic helper, or even a singing party, matters large and small must ultimately be settled on a contract. The famous scholar Zhou Yaoming once wrote in his book "Folk Communication Customs of the Han Nationality": "Writing contracts is a traditional way for people to record mutually agreed upon things in social interactions as a proof of credit checking afterwards." ”
What we are going to talk about today is one of the most unique categories of them, the covenant of worship, also known as the worship of the master.
In the old days, establishing a formal master-apprentice relationship was not a casual matter. All those who learn crafts and practice the arts must first worship the teacher, and the most important thing in the worship process is to form a credential, which is the worship of the teacher.
The Worship of the Master records various kinds of statutes between master and disciple, which can actually be regarded as a contract concluded by a master-apprentice relationship, and thus has corresponding effect.
Graph source network
As far as the carpentry industry is concerned, to worship the master, it is necessary to worship the master, which is an important proof of the relationship between the apprentice and the carpenter.
A book called "Book Deed Ben Meng" also gives the corresponding "investment teacher" contract paradigm according to the characteristics of different industries, of which the investment style of the woodwork class is as follows:
"Li Investment Teacher Ding Yisheng, there is a son A sheng, thirteen years old, there is no industry to make a living, I would like to send the Central Central Committee to Zhu Laosi to learn a garment industry." It is said that three years of study is enough. After the self-surrender, sooner or later, I worked hard to learn and was not allowed to steal security. If there is any violation of the teachings, let the teacher punish him, and there will be no disagreement. Now if you want to have a basis, set up this book as a mirror. Counting and opening: On the same day, first give a number of silver in hand; after reaching the age, give a number of thank-you gifts and put a few wines; after completing the school, you are unable to pay thanks, and you are willing to help the teacher for a few years; after the expiration of the year, you will open the shop and let yourself go; after the age, you will still help the teacher, you must agree on the salary; if you run away privately, you will pay back the meal; if there is an accident, you will have nothing to do with the teacher. Guangxu Year Month Hitachi Cast Ding Yisheng (Hua Bao) Zhongjing Wang Gengsheng"
Fortunately, the Shanghai Zhenjing Traditional Wood Museum has a collection of woodworking worship tips
▲ Hong Xian's first year of the carpentry worship of the master Collection of the Shanghai Zhenjing Traditional Woodwork Museum
The post states that Zhao Laiyin, a devotee who was an artist, because he had nothing to do at home, through the introduction of the intermediary Yi Yulu, under the witness of his uncle Yi Yin Liu and his father Yi Huaidou, he wanted to go to zhao Chengxiao's door in the same village to learn carpenter's craft, stipulating that the apprenticeship period was four years, and after the expiration of the year, he would still help the teacher for one year, and the wage price was twenty-two strings of documents.
The text is clearly organized and echoes the content of the carpentry contract paradigm, especially the words such as "natural disasters" and "death and escape" noted in the text are consistent with the paradigms listed in the paradigm: "If you flee without permission, you will pay back the meal" and "if there is an accident, you will have nothing to do with the teacher". This also confirms that the paradigm of the "investment master" contract was indeed practically applied by the artists at that time.
The picture shows a photo of a carpentry apprentice in the Qing Dynasty, from the collection of the Shanghai Zhenjing Traditional Woodwork Museum
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the worship post was established on the first day of the first month of the first year of Hong Xian's reign.
The date of the year number in the picture is clearly in the collection of the Shanghai Zhenjing Traditional WoodWork Museum
As we all know, "Hong Xian" is the era name of the Chinese Empire created by Yuan Shikai. On December 23, 1915, Yuan Shikai came to a hasty ascension to the throne to accept the pilgrimage, and he stipulated that 1916 was the first year of Hong Xian.
The scene when Yuan Shikai ascended the throne The source network
Since then, Chinese and foreign documents, company documents, sales and purchase reports, loan contracts, and trademark registrations have all been changed to Hong Xiannian numbers. This provision caused an uproar at home and abroad. All walks of life in China resisted the use of the HongXiannian name, and foreign powers did not recognize the Hongxiannian name. But despite the opposition of most people at the time, the title of Hong Xian was retained in some records of his actions.
February 15, 15th of the first year of the Republic of China Hongxian Wenshui County Yafa Three Baili Fast Horse Urgent Envelope, well preserved, first-class image source network
Because Yuan Shikai only served as emperor for 83 days during his reign, the worship of the master in this period that has been handed down to this day is even more precious.
The product of the worship of the master is also confirmed to a certain extent - the ancients attached more importance to the concept of respecting teachers and emphasizing teaching than they do now.
As the saying goes, "One day as a teacher, one life as a father", is enough to see the respect of traditional society for teachers. Looking back at the current teacher-student relationship, although it is also a harmonious scene, it is inevitable that there is less awe in the traditional sense. Yes, times have changed, but after the big waves, there is always something that should be preserved.
Contributor, Editor: Wang Luyao