The Siru Series of Guqin is a collection of high-quality guqins introduced by Master Wang Peng at Juntian Fang, each named after the concepts "Xiru, Chunru, Jiaoru, and Yiru." These names are derived from the musical philosophy found in the Analects of Confucius and represent different musical aesthetic concepts. To commemorate this, he invited the calligrapher Fei Weng to inscribe these names on the guqin models. Each name represents a unique aspect of music, embodying the depth and elegance of traditional Chinese musical aesthetics.
The names of the Siru Series not only reflect the different characteristics of the guqin in terms of timbre and expressiveness but also demonstrate Master Wang Peng’s profound understanding of guqin making and his pursuit of traditional musical aesthetics. These guqins cater to different styles and levels of guqin enthusiasts, providing diverse choices for performers.
Jiaoru (皦如): Reflects the purity and clarity of the guqin’s sound, characterized by a clear, delicate, and elegant tone, suitable for expressing fresh and refined musical styles.
Features of the Siru Guqin:
Materials and Craftsmanship: The Siru Guqin is crafted using high-quality aged cedar wood for the soundboard and catalpa wood for the backboard. The wood has undergone years of natural drying to ensure the instrument's resonance and tone are at their best. The connection between the soundboard and backboard is meticulously crafted to guarantee the stability of the instrument and the purity of its sound quality.
Sound Quality: The Siru Guqin has an elegant and rich tone, with a deep and powerful bass, mellow and bright mid-tones, and clear and bright high tones. The sound quality is well-layered, expressive, and suitable for playing various guqin pieces.
Design: In terms of appearance, the Siru Guqin retains the classic shape of traditional guqins while incorporating modern aesthetics of simplicity and elegance. The surface often features intricate carvings or lacquer paintings, showcasing the cultural connotations and aesthetic value of the guqin art.
Feel: The string spacing and feel of the Siru Guqin are carefully designed to ensure moderate tension, providing a comfortable touch for the player. This facilitates technique performance and sound control during playing.
Suitability: The Siru Guqin is suitable for guqin enthusiasts of different levels, including professional performers and hobbyists. It can be used as a performance instrument as well as a collectible-grade piece.