一樁歷史的公案——「西園雅集」

An Unsettled Historical Case: Hsi-yuan Ya-chi (Elegant Gathering in the Western Garden)

「西園雅集」是相傳於北宋期間舉行的一場盛大的文人聚會，根據題名為米芾替李公麟〈西園雅集圖〉所寫的〈西園雅集圖記〉，有十五位文人高士聚集於主人王珗家的園林，他們或揮毫、或觀畫、或題石、或聽阮、或談禪，十分風雅。然而，除了米芾的〈西園雅集圖記〉，並未有其他的北宋文獻資料提供後人關於「西園雅集」的進一步訊息，甚至米芾的文章也是遲至明代才出現，南宋以來，對於「西園雅集」的舉行時間、地點和參與人士都有不同的說法，頗令人懷疑「西園雅集」的真實性。本文一方面整理各家對於「西園雅集」的觀點以考索其產生的因素；一方面希望擺脫對於「西園雅集」存在之真偽的爭辯，轉而從文化典故著眼，為「西園雅集」的歷史意義尋求合宜的解說。作者以為：傳為米芾的〈西園雅集圖記〉應當是明代的作品，〈西園雅集圖記〉所載諸君於北宋元祐年間舉行大型聚會並非絕無可能，只不過其名稱未必即為「西園雅集」，而「西園雅集」之「西園」一詞可以溯至曹氏父子禮賢愛士，與建安諸子遊逸吟詠，為後世文人所欽慕嚮往，於是塑造出「西園雅集」的理想情境，同時，由「西園雅集」被模寫傳唱和仿傚實踐的現象觀察得知：文人聚集園林，以詩、書、畫會友，享受進退皆宜的清曠之樂便是「西園雅集」主題所以歷久不衰的重要原因。

Hsi-yuan Ya-chi is believed to be a famous gathering of some literati at Hsi-yuan (the Western Garden) in the Northern Sung. According to Mi Fu's essay “Hsi-yuan Ya-chi t'u chi,” which was written for the painting “Hsi-yuan Ya-chi T'u” by Li Kung-lin, there were fifteen poets and artists assembling in the Western Garden owned by Wang Shen, amusing themselves with poetry, painting, music, and Ch'an discussion. However, no other record related to this gathering in the Northern Sung has been found--even Mi Fu's essay itself was not mentioned until the Ming dynasty. Since the Southern Sung, there have been different versions concerning the exact time, place, and participants of the gathering. The question of the authenticity of the gathering, therefore, needs to be left in doubt. While the present paper starts with a discussion of different opinions on this event, it aims to avoid unproductive arguments about its ultimate authenticity and rather to explore its historical significance and the construction of cultural meanings associated with it. I would argue that the final version of the essay attributed to Mi Fu was not completed until the Ming. On the other hand, it is still possible that there was a gathering of famous literati taking place in the Yuan-yu period of the Northern Sung. Whether they used the term “Hsi-yuan Ya-chi,” however, is uncertain. The term Hsi-yuan originated from the literary circle which was given important impetus from the Ts'ao family in the third century Wei dynasty. Later this name influenced literary people, who formed an ideal picture of the “Hsi-yuan Ya-chi” meanwhile, this theme gave rise to paintings and documents, as well as attempts to recreate the event. From these phenomena, we know that the literary people met in sylvan parks; they were relaxed occasions for gathering with like-minded connoisseurs of poetry, calligraphy, and painting. The theme and atmosphere carried connotations of freedom to participate or withdraw from official service, and this was one reason that such meetings continued to be organized over many generations. For this reason, this study helps us to understand the interaction of culture, governance, and society in traditional China.