With the arrival of the 2019 Lunar New Year, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum’s (SDCHM) Education Department coordinated a range of programming for museum visitors in the first months of the year.

Throughout the month of February, Chinese New Year activities took place every single weekend. Museum guests chose from a menu of activity options; for example, Lunar New Year storytelling with an Education Program Specialist or several different thematic activities, including calligraphy and ink brush painting. Our interns, Tony and Reagan, who visited San Diego from Shanghai, got the opportunity to observe a classroom setting in the United States through their support of different Classroom Exhibit Presentations. For example, at Barnard Elementary, they were able to demonstrate the art of paper cutting in Mandarin, much to the joy of both teachers and students.

SPRING 2019

SPRING 2019

LO CATIONS san diego chinese mission

building 404 third avenue

san diego, ca 92101

dr. sun yat-sen memorial extension 328 j street

san diego, ca 92101

chuang archive & learning center

541b second ave san diego, ca 92101

M U SE UM HOU R S tuesday-saturday

10:30am-4pm sunday 12pm-4pm monday closed

admission $5 museum hopper $8

members & children free

t: 619 338 9888 f: 619 338 9889

www.sdchm.org info@sdchm.org

IN THIS ISSUE

The Life of Li Qingzhao

李清照

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From a Chinese Scholar’s Studio

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Chinese New Year Banquet 2019

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From the Woo Chee Chong Safe...

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At the Monarch SchoolÄ

Events and Education Calendar

We received calls from diverse sectors of San Diego to deliver programming in a range of community centers. For example, the SDCHM Education Department was invited to the Coronado Library to lead a calligraphy presentation and workshop. Participating seniors practiced their strokes on water writing paper, a surface that is quite distinct from pulp paper for calligraphy.

Also in the month of February, the Museum participated in community events across the region. For example, we managed a booth at the longest running Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival in San Diego on February 8th, 9th and 10th. The annual San Diego Chinese New Year Fair on Third Avenue brought over 3000 visitors into the museum. During the two-day celebration, the SDCHM engaged visitors with four fun hands-on crafts activities. Guests could craft a paper-pig nose to wear, recalling the animal of the 2019 lunar year, or view an excellent calligraphy presentation, which was given by Jack Meng, Secretary of the SDCHM Board of Directors.

Bringing in 2019...Chinese New Year (photograph by Criselda Yee)

by Siyun Liang

We thank the Honorary Circle for their annual contribution of $1,000 to SDCHM’s Operating Fund. With their support, SDCHM produces quality programs, educational courses, and special museum exhibitions. For more information on how to join the SDCHM Honorary Circle, please email us at info@sdchm.org.

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Museum StaffDirector Hannah RangelEducation Administrator Siyun LiangOutreach and Communications Coordinator Ashley MoyGrant Writer Elizabeth Hensley Chaneycurator Yifan MinAdministrative Coordinator Sujatha SelvarajCollections Assistant Natalie Zhang

The mission of the San Diego

Chinese Historical Museum is to

educate and inspire by preserving

and celebrating the richness of

Chinese history, art, culture, and

the contributions of Chinese

Americans.

SDCHM的宗旨是教育和激勵大眾，並保存和弘揚豐富的中華歷史藝術文化，以及在美華裔的貢獻.

Honorary Advisors & Community CollaboratorsMuseum Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Dr. Alexander ChuangAdministration Consultant Tom HomHistorian of Chinese American History Murray Lee

Board of DirectorsNeil Yang, ChairDr. Sheldon Lou, Vice ChairJack Meng, SecretaryJean Cheng, TreasurerEleanor BregmanRobin BregmanDr. Li-Rong Lilly ChengLillian ChuNanson HwaMurray LeeChenyang (Sunny) RickardDr. Yi SunJohn WangTracy WuMichael Yee

Advisory BoardStephen ChinLi HuaiDr. Susie Lan CasselSally Yu LeungDr. Wendy MaruyamaJune Shillman

Sherwin and Julie Wang 汪慎叔

Edward G. & Ellen G. Wong 黃文邁 黃遇蓮

Joseph & Cathy Wu 吳俊哲 黃文蕙

Drs. Jung Fu & Jennie Wu 吳榮富 張翹楚

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Museum Associate VolunteersEducation Program Consultant Carrie ShaoCollections Project Consultants Louis CohenKenny ChuVisitor Services Consultants Arthi SelvarajJake LestykMichelle Franks

WELCOME

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TA BL E OF C ON T E N T S

Cover Chinese New Year 2019

2 Acknowledgments

3 Board Chair’s Letter

4 Director’s Message

Reflections of a Museum Education Docent

5 The Life of Li Qingzhao 李清照

6 -7 From a Chinese Scholar’s Studio

8-9 Chinese New Year Gala 2019

10 From the Woo Chee Chong

Safe: a report from the Museum Collections department

11 SDCHM at the Monarch School

12 Events and Education Calendar

Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour

13 Funding & Donor update

14 Support Our Chinese Museum

Dear SDCHM Members and Supporters,

Happy Chinese New Year! / 新年快樂, 萬事如意.

As we celebrate the beginning of 2019 and the year of the Pig, I want to take a moment to also celebrate our members and supporters, and thank you for all that you’ve done to get the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum to where it is today.

When I first joined in 1999, the museum was only a single site with limited collections. Twenty years later, it has expanded to three sites, has over 2,000 artifacts in its permanent collection, and has conducted over 160 unique exhibits and educational events. The museum has also received numerous awards thanks to my predecessors’ hard work.

As you may know, SDCHM has faced several challenges over the last couple of years. However, we have successfully worked through it and come out with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. The Honorary Circle Luncheon and World of Porcelain tour last December raised over $100,000 for the Museum. Our most recent Chinese New Year Gala last month was, likewise, a huge success.

On behalf of the board, management team, staff and volunteers, I want to reiterate our commitment to uphold the mission of the museum: preserving the Chinese culture and Chinese American history in the United States. In the coming year, we will prioritize the following:• Collaborating with sister museums

to hold unique exhibits and programs

• Investing in retail to boost sales

Letter From The Board Chair

Neil YangSan Diego Chinese Historical Society & Museum Board Chair

• Securing the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accreditation

• Digitizing and preserving key museum documents

• Working with the city to secure additional visitor parking

Again, our work and efforts would not be possible without your support. Your continued participation is critical to the success of the museum. I thank you, deeply, for that.

Attention board members!

SEEKING BOARD COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS

Board Committee Volunteers are being sought to help with different museum functions. Please contact

Hannah Rangel for more information.

sdchm.org / 619.339.9888

Honorary CircleJenny Benson 彭曹秀麗

Dr. and Mrs. James Y. Chan Mrs. Margaret Chang 桂華珍

Dr. Winnie Wong Chase 黃安琪

Drs. Shu and Kuangchung Chien 錢煦 胡匡政

Gary & Peggy Cheong Fong 徐佩文

Dr. and Mrs. Alex and Agnes Chuang 莊紹文 李衛年

Gorman & Delores Fong 方周明 黃兆群

Yuan Cheng Fung, Luna H. Fung, Conrad A. Fung, Brenda P. FungDr. & Mrs. George and Jean Cheng Kung 龔耘 鄭瑾

Tom & Loretta Hom 譚卓儀

Dr. Jaw Jim Hsieh 謝肇金

Julia Hsiu, on behalf of the Hwei-Chih and Julia Hsiu Endowment FundSawyer Hsu Gene Jeng Guang LayTeh-Hsuang Tom Lee 呂德璿

Drs. Fah Seong and Polly R. Liew 劉華祥 金蓉蓉

Drs. Haldane & Susan Yee Liew 劉浩翰

Dr. & Mrs. Shao-Chi Lin & Lily Yuli Lin 林紹基 邵友理

Andrew P. & Grace C. Y. Lu 路平 孟慶雲

Herbert & Betty Ma Lu 呂少華 胡敦敏

Melissa Miao Roxana Ou 江樂舜

Rosa OvshinskyClaire Reiss Dr. & Mrs. Lu & Georgina Bien Sham 沈呂九 卞韻濤

Larry & Theresa Song 宋良銘 吳驄

Kwang G. & Grace Tan 譚光耿 李麗君

Charles & Linda Tu 杜武青 張林

Chen-Wai & Jing-Ling Wang 王振威 鄭錦麟

Drs. Shen-Ye & Florence Wang 王善宜 蘇芳子

SPRING UPDATE

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It has been an exciting first few months, starting my new journey with the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum at the end of last year and into the year of the pig. The sense of support from the community is inviting and exhilarating.

Coming into the new year, we celebrated many events, from our annual banquet to the Chinese New Year Street Festival that was organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).

Our Museum is growing significantly, operating not one, but three open exhibition spaces with over 4,000 square ft. of San Diego history, art and Chinese culture. The Museum recently had the amazing opportunity to curate, with Dr. Chang Chiu Chen, a beautiful and interactive exhibit titled Herstory: The Legal History of Chinese American Women, on view from March 9 to the summer of 2019. As we continue our mission here at SDCHM, please look out for all the new and upcoming events on our website as we continue to serve our community.

Message from the Director

Hannah RangelDirector

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There are hundreds of famous poets, from different periods of Chinese history. One woman has made the list. Her name is Li Qingzhao.

In China, becoming well-versed in poetry is tantamount to learning The Book of Songs. The Book of Songs is the first comprehensive anthology of Chinese poetry. Iincludes 305 poems of the Zhou Dynasty周朝(1122-256 B.C.E.), and was originally called Shi 詩 (Poems) and Shi Sanbai 詩三百首 (Three Hundred Poems). Each poem in The Book of Songs was set to music and could be sung.

By the 4th century B.C.E., the Chinese produced a unique form of song. There is a representative collection compiled under the name of the Chuci (楚辭 Songs of Chu). The songs in this collection are lyrical and romantic. One representative poet featured in Chuci is Qu Yuan屈原 (ca. 340-278 B.C.E.) and he is remembered as the founder of the dragon boat festival.

During the Han 漢 dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.), a period of cultural flowering, the Chu lyrics evolved into the fu (賦), a poem in rhymed verse. The fu is poetic form that became the norm for creative writing and soon began to flourish. Emperor Wu created a governmental bureau of music, called yuefu, 樂府, to collect and record ceremonial chants, and also the songs of ordinary people. During the later Han, the yuefu began to develop shi 詩 or classical poetry, a form which was to become dominant in Chinese poetry. These poems have five or seven character

lines, with a caesura before the last three characters of each line. They are divided into the original gushi (old poems) 古詩 and jintishi 近體詩, a stricter form developed in the Tang 唐 dynasty, which incorporates rules governing tone patterns and the structure of the content. The greatest writers of gushi and jintishi are considered to be Li Bai 李白and Du Fu 杜甫.

Towards the end of the Tang dynasty, the ci 詞 lyric became more popular. Most closely associated with the Song 宋 dynasty, ci most often expressed feelings of desire, often in an adopted persona, and the greatest exponents of the form (such as Li Houzhu 李後主 and Su Shi 蘇軾) used it to address a wide range of topics. Su Shi was the teacher of Li Qingzhao’s father.

Li Qingzhao 李清照, pseudonym Yian Jushi, 易安居士 was born in the year 1084 C.E., in Zhangqiu 章丘,located in Shandong province 山東省. She was born into a family of scholar-officials 士大夫. Her family had a large collection of books, and Li was able to receive comprehensive education during her childhood.

Before she was married, her poetry was well-known within elite circles. In 1101 C.E. she married Zhao Mingcheng 趙明誠. They lived in present-day Shandong. After her husband started his official career, he was often absent. They were not particularly wealthy, but shared enjoyment of collecting inscriptions and calligraphy, which made their daily life count. They lived happily together.

The Northern Song 北宋 capital of Kaifeng 開封 fell in 1127 to the Jurchens 女真 during the Jin–Song wars 金宋戰爭. Fighting took place in Shandong, and the house that Li Qingzhao shared with Zhao Mingcheng was burned. The couple took many of their possessions when they fled to Nanjing 南京, where they lived for a year. Zhao died in 1129, en route to an official post. The death of her husband was a cruel stroke from which Li never recovered. Li subsequently settled in Hangzhou 杭州, where the Song government made its new capital after the war against the Jurchens. During this period, she continued writing poetry. She also completed the book Jin shi lu 金石錄, which was originally written by Zhao Mingcheng. She was briefly married to a man named Zhang Ruzhou 張汝舟 who treated her badly, and she divorced him within months.

Only around a hundred of her poems are known to survive, mostly in the ci form, and also a few poems in the shi 詩 form have survived. During the early period, most of her poems were related to her feelings as a maiden, and read like love poems. After her move to the south, they were closely linked with her hatred of the war against the Jurchens and her patriotism. She is credited with the first detailed critique of the metrics of Chinese poetry. She was regarded as a master of wanyue pai 婉約派 “the delicate restraint” 微妙的約束.

The Life of Li Qingzhao 李清照 李李by dr. Alexander Chuang

Reflections of a Museum Education Docentby Jeff Trace

I developed a deep interest in Chinese history and culture while teaching English in China for seven years, so after returning home last summer I checked out the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum website to see what the institution had to offer. Soon after, I attended a local history talk at the Museum and became a member that day. In September 2018, I attended the opening of the World in Porcelain exhibition, where Prof. Yu Chunming gave a lecture. I decided to become a volunteer docent at the Museum after hearing this very interesting talk.

I believed, through becoming a volunteer, that I could make use of some of my limited knowledge of China, which was gained from seven years of living in the country, where I had the opportunity to read history and literature. I taught in Beijing, and my classes explored cultural topics. For example, my dancing and music lessons were always popular, although it was very difficult to get shy Chinese students to get up and sing or dance in front of their classmates. I could usually get someone to come up and sing “We Will Rock You” with me while the class banged the rhythm on their desks. Sometimes, when teaching the box step,

after cajoling a boy and girl to get out of their seats and come up front, I would have to grab the boy’s arm and place it on the girl’s back and grab the girl’s hand to put on the boy’s shoulder. When the two students finally did dance, many cell phone cameras came out and the fun results got posted on WeChat.

Being a docent at the Museum requires knowledge of the Chinese in America. Thanks to my time volunteering, I learned that the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. While learning about the Chinese Exclusion Act, I recalled showing the movie, Tombstone, with Chinese subtitles, during one of my classes in Bejing. The movie is the story of the 1881 Shootout at the O.K. Corral between the Earp brothers against the gang of bad guys, known as the Cowboys. The movie also shows an opium den in the town of Tombstone. Wyatt Earp, the hero of the movie, relocated to San Diego after the shootout and lived for six years just down the street from the museum’s location on Third Avenue and J Street, at what is now the Horton Grand Hotel.

Sometimes when I docent in the main museum I ask visitors to find the baby in

our large Three Kingdoms wood carving of General Zhao Yun Rescuing Liu Bei’s Son. Many people love maps and timelines like we saw in our Liberty Station museum visit. I wish our museum had interactive maps of China both for history and geography purposes. One of my geography quiz questions in class was: does China have a seacoast north of Korea? Another question was, if Beijing is “north capital,” what is “south capital?” Or how about, name the famous island in Guangzhou with all the European buildings. Anybody know the answers?

I greatly enjoy talking to visitors and finding connections with them if possible since I’ve lived in many places in the U.S. and three cities in China. I tell visitors from Beijing that I lived in Yanjiao and used to take the 812 bus to Dawanglu. They’re always impressed with my pronunciation of Dawanglu, but it’s easy because it is all number 4 tones. Usually my Chinese pronunciation is poor, even when I say, “Wo bù huì shuō zhōngwén.” I have learned a lot from talking to some well-informed visitors and I hope visitors learn something from me. That’s what docents are for.

Drunk in the Shade of Flowers (Double Ninth Festival)

Fine mist, thick clouds:A day of sadness drags on.The incense in the gilt animal-burner is running out.Once more the festive day of Double Ninth returns,And my mesh-curtained bed and jeweled pillowsAre just drenched in the chill of midnight.Beside the east hedge I drink after dusk;A subtle fragrance fills my sleeves.Don’t say one is not pining away!When the west wind blows the blinds aside,I am frailer than the chrysanthemums.

醉花陰 重陽薄霧濃雲愁永畫，瑞腦消金獸。佳節又重陽，玉枕紗廚，半夜涼初透。東籬把酒黄昏後，有暗香盈袖。莫道不消魂，簾捲西風，人比黄花瘦。

by Li Qingzhao

The scholar’s studio was a place to quietly enjoy art, music and literature and served as a legacy of celebrated ancient scholars. The studio was usually built in the remote vastness of the Chinese wilderness, surrounded by well-planned landscaped gardens as seen through the Scholar’s studio window. It was also a retreat to escape from the difficulties of political strife and concerns of daily life. In this secluded private place, the scholar might practice and write calligraphy or compose paintings while enjoying a personal collection of art objects used and treasured by past scholars. Surrounded by his books and hanging scrolls he might pass his leisure hours by reading, studying, entertaining like-minded gentlemen, sipping tea or wine, composing poetry or playing the Qin – a stringed musical instrument. Most of the scholar’s objects harmonize perfectly with each other and with the monochrome or lightly colored landscapes that they painted.

The history of the literati (literate elite) scholar in China dates back to the Tang (618-906) and Song (960-1279) dynasties when the court initiated civil exams for the selection of officials. These tests assessed the candidates’ knowledge and ability

in a wide range of subjects, including Confucian thought, law, agriculture, and the arts, especially calligraphy, poetry, painting and music. These Scholar-Artists prided themselves on their mastery of calligraphy and Chinese brush painting. They often embellished their paintings and applied the aesthetic principles of calligraphic brushwork to painting with poetry as a form of self-expression. They also highlighted the notion that a painting should not try to represent or imitate the external world, but rather to express or reflect the inner state of the artist. As such, an entire class of intellectual and artistically trained scholars were created. These talented men embraced learning and were highly accomplished in the three sister arts of poetry, calligraphy, and painting often termed the Three Perfections (三绝).

For scholar’s objects, the late Ming (1368-1644) expression of the literati style is regarded as the classic interpretation and this elevated taste became the standard to which succeeding generations aspired. Most of the so-called scholar’s objects that we see today reflect that style, whether produced in Ming times or during the succeeding Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

There were strict regulations of taste that prescribed Chinese scholar’s objects: the placement of furniture, bookcases, even the number of scrolls that should be displayed. Emphasis was on sparse understated settings elegantly appointed with a few carefully chosen finely crafted objects.

Of the Four Treasures (文房四寶) of the Scholar’s Studio, namely, ink, stone, brush and paper, more attention was lavished on the selection of the ink stone than any other. Not only was a fine stone essential for preparing ink, it was the most visible of the principal objects on the desk and stood as a symbol of the scholar’s taste and connoisseurship.

This fine Duan stone with a unique purplish color and perfect softness was delicately carved and famous for its solid, smooth, and exquisite nature.

The most important property of the ink stone is that it be sufficiently abrasive to grind the ink to a fine, smooth consistency, yet sufficiently delicate not to damage or weaken the fragile hairs of the brush.

Ink or Mo (墨) is another of the Four Treasures and was naturally a requisite for the scholar’s studio. The ink used by Chinese scholars was traditionally made in the form of dry ink sticks that were ground with water on the ink stone to produce liquid ink. This ritual, was quite meditative and allowed scholars and artists total control over the density, texture and quality of their ink. Good ink sticks were made chiefly from the soot of burning Tung oil, (油煙) from Tung tree, plus animal glue, incense, and precious medicinal herbs for preservation, emitting a pleasant fragrance which produced ink with a dark glossy sheen. Solid ink sticks were highly portable and could be kept indefinitely without losing their effectiveness. They could also be molded in a variety of shapes, colors, complete with pictorial designs and inscriptions. Some of the elegantly decorated ink sticks were commemorative objects and sometimes given as gifts.

Below, are more objects that would have once graced the elegant studio of a Ming or Qing scholar. There likely would have been paperweights, a water pot, water dropper, a brush pot for holding brushes when not in use, a brush rest for supporting brushes in use but not immediately in hand as the artist alternated amongst brushes of various sizes and textures. Also, a wrist rest to steady the artist’s hand and wrist when doing small-scale calligraphy or painting

A Chinese Scholar’s StudioIn pursuit of Elegance and Serenity

By Dr. Howard Meyer

meticulous brushstrokes. A few scholars even had an ink rest on which to place the wet end of an ink stick after grinding it with water on the ink stone. Brush pots and scroll pots were typically fashioned in Huanghuali (黃花梨) or another fine wood, the dense heavy dark Zitan wood ranking as the very finest.

Many scholars also hung a Gu Qin (古琴) on their studio wall. Qin means an ancient Chinese seven string musical instrument. It is about a three-foot long rectangular instrument of the zither family, with no bridges and served as an emblem of the scholar’s knowledge and appreciation of music. This is China’s oldest stringed instrument, with a history of some 3,000 years. Also, the Gu Zheng (古箏), known as the Chinese zither, was developed much later from Qin and has from 16 to over 21 strings with movable bridges. The Zheng is a more sophisticated Chinese string (plucked) instrument that’s bigger and longer, about five feet in length with more than 2,500-year history.

The Qin (琴) is considered more spiritual because of its antiquity and simplicity and the emphasis was not only to produce pleasant music, but through its simple earthy sounds helped calm the mind of the practitioner for the contemplation of lofty ideals. Therefore, Qin is considered an instrument that elevates the moral character of the player, therefore, it is considered the superior musical instrument. It is associated with Confucius, who was said to have played the instrument, and is sometimes referred

to by the Chinese as “the father of Chinese music” or “the instrument of the sages.”

Most likely, several decorative sculptured seals would have been organized on the desk or table and possibly contained in a carved wooden tray. Most of these seals were inscribed using special carving tools with the scholar’s name or a nickname given by others. Some likely were collected seals from earlier periods that the scholar cherished for their fine calligraphy or simply the beauty of the stone. Naturally, a container of cinnabar seal-paste would have been kept nearby for imprinting personal signature on documents; paintings to identify their works of art and even used to inscribe greeting cards. It takes many years of mastery for an expert to be able to carve a Chinese name in the limited surface area with extreme precision in an artistic way. Tom Chow during his seal-carving workshop called seals, “A world of artistic activity within a square inch.”

No studio was complete without a scholar’s rock or two, perhaps one large one and several smaller ones. Scholars’ rocks were favored stones that the Chinese literati and their followers displayed and appreciated indoors in the atmosphere of their studio. First collected during the late Tang and early Song periods, such rocks have held continuous appeal for Chinese collectors for more than a thousand years and into contemporary times. Sometimes called “spirit stones” in English, and were called qishi, guaishi, or yishi (供石) in Chinese, all of which mean “fantastic rocks” as they evoke a pleasing aesthetic response.

Selected bibliography:Sarah Handler, “What is a Chinese Scholar Seated at his Ming Desk Dreaming?” Orientations, May/June 2017 90-97.Robert D. Mowry and Alan J. Dworsky, “Scholar’s Objects, Scholar’s Taste: the Ian and Susan Wilson Collection of Scholar’s Objects.” Christie’s, New York March 2016.

Acknowledgement: I am truly indebted and extend my appreciation to Shantien Tom Chow for providing invaluable information, insight and continuous support. He has over fifty years of teaching and brush work experience in Chinese art and culture.----Dr. Howard Meyer is a member of

the American Artists of Chinese Brush Painting-Lung Hsiang Chapter. He is also a member of the San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum. Howard has been recognized for his Chinese brush paintings and his writings about Chinese Art and Culture.

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Scholar Studio Offerings for ContemplationPainting by Tom Chow

Duan Ink Stone

Gu Qin - Zither

Decorative and Personal Identification Seals

Scholar Rock

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2019 Chinese New Year BanquetCelebrating the Year of the Pig

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum was pleased to host guests at Pearl Chinese Cuisine for our annual Chinese New Year Celebration on February 9, 2019. The exciting evening kicked off with attendees enjoying a lion dance by White Dragon Martial Arts.

Before guests enjoyed dinner at their tables, Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng introduced the Gala co-chairs, Dr. Polly Liew and Dolly Woo, Board Chair (2018) Michael Yee, and Director, Hannah Rangel, who all shared their appreciation for those attending. Dr. Cheng also introduced Board Chair (2019) Neil Yang, who, with Michael Yee, presented awards to Dr. Polly Liew, Dolly Woo, Dr. Sawyer Hsu, Dr. Tom Lee, Diana Marjip-Chuh, and Yen Tu for their excellence and dedication in preserving and promoting Chinese American history and culture. An award was also presented to Michael Yee for the years that he dedicated to serving on the Museum Board of Directors as Chair.

During dinner, guests enjoyed a

number of performances, including a Chinese Traditional Culture Fashion Show (performed by We Chinese Young Model Team), a performance of Contredanse by Mozart on Flute (performed by Flute Quartet, AmeriCal Youth Symphony). Additionally, guests had the opportunity to have fun in the Museum’s first ever gala photo booth, which was set up by San Diego-based rental company, Lovely Photobooths.

The Museum staff is immensely grateful to all of the community members who participated in this event, as well as our sponsors: San Diego Gas and Electric, Asia Getaway Inc., Event Motoring, and El Cajon Print & Class A Trophies. In particular, we'd like to recognize Dr. Polly Liew, Dolly Woo, Diana Marjip-Chuh, Carolyn Yang, Wendy Meng, Carrie Shao, Bill Fong and Yen Tu for the extra support they each lent to ensure the success of this year’s banquet.

Lilly Cheng passes the microphone to Board Chair, Neil Yang, so that he may welcome guests (from left to right: Michael Yee, Lilly Cheng, Neil Yang).

From left to right: Loretta Hom, Tom Hom, Dr. Polly Liew (2019 Gala Co-Chair), Dr. Alexander Chuang (Museum Founding Executive Director Emeritus), Agnes Chuang.

From left to right: Neil Yang (Board Chair), Dolly Woo (2019 Gala Co-Chair), Dr. Polly Liew (2019 Gala Co-Chair), Hannah Rangel (Museum Director)

From left to right: Michelle and Steve Diaz, with family

Front row, from left to right: Dr. Sheldon Lou, Neil Yang, Lilly Cheng, Jack Meng. Back row, from left to right: Dr. Yi Sun, Michael Yee, Jean Cheng, Lillian Chu, Nanson Hwa, John Wang

Lovely Photobooth Highlights

Wendy and Jack Meng Jim Yee and Jenn Cao

Vivian Horn and Jean Cheng

Criselda and Michael Yee

White Dragon Martial Arts

https://lovelyphotobooths.smugmug.com/Events/San-Diego-Chinese-Historical-Museum-23rd-Annual-New-Years/

By Ashley Moy

Chinese Traditional Culture Fashion Show, by We Chinese Young Model Team

Danielle Zhang and Joaquin Prado

Jeff Trace

From the Woo Chee Chong Safe:A report from the Museum Collections Department

By Natalie Zhang

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As the new Collections Assistant of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, I could not be more pleased to have the opportunity to better understand the role of the Chinese people within the cultural fabric of San Diego through our very own permanent collection.

This past December, it was brought to our attention that a jade collection that had been stored in the Woo Chee Chong safe was in need of a cataloguing update. Myself and a long-time friend of the museum, Kenny Chu, undertook this project. Not only did we find the jade neatly stored away in boxes, but came across some other invaluable pieces tucked into its compartments. Kenny and I were in complete awe to find that our museum had acquired two porcelain bowls from renowned porcelain reserve Jing De Zhen with an even more interesting backstory. These bowls, decorated with auspicious symbols such as pomegranate, peach, and Buddha’s hand citron were originally commissioned by Sun Yat Sen’s son in 1933 for his mother’s 70th birthday. His mother was none other than Lu Mu Zhen, the first wife of Sun Yat Sen.

Aside from this incredible discovery, we spent two full days sorting through the precious jade relics. With a little bit of research, we learned that, in 2003, the museum received a donation from George and Kathy Tomlanovich of 163 items, most of them carved nephrite jade artifacts. The Tomlanovichs’ unique and significant collection was showcased in an exhibition

organized by Dr. Alexander Chuang shortly after its acquisition in 2004, entitled Chinese Jade From the Past.

I was fascinated by the captivating spectrum of colors in front of me. Previously, my limited knowledge of the mineral had led me to believe that all jade was the viridescent green color it is known for. The variation of colors within this collection was astounding. Colors included dark, greenish browns, browns tinged with orange and red, forest green, light yellow greens, and creamy whites. The reason for such variation is due to jade having two mineral species. Nephrite, in contrast to jadeite, has a range of colors spanning from gray, green, brown, white, and yellow. Jadeite, on the other hand, can be found in black, red, pink, and even violet colors.

It is no surprise to me that the ancient Chinese venerated jade. Treasured for its color and durability, jade earned its role as a symbol of political and religious significance within the imperial courts. While cataloguing, I was struck by the amount of small jade pieces that appeared to be pendants or striking belt ornaments that lacked a hole. Research would reveal to me that jade was so revered for its protective qualities that many wealthy members of society were buried with amulets for protection in the afterlife. In addition, jade was also believed to prevent the body from decay, which is why royals were buried in ceremonial jade burial suits composed of hundreds of rectangular jade pieces. Both of us were enamored with these detailed carvings.

For those who’ve had their interest piqued, you are in luck--a sizeable amount of the Tomlanovich jades will be showcased during the museum’s upcoming exhibition on Chinese Dragons in April. I look forward to seeing you there!

Kenny and Natalie at the safe

Monkey atop a jade fruit

The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum at the Monarch School

By Elizabeth Hensley Chaney

In November 2018, staff at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum met to talk about strategies for fomenting the Museum’s capacity to serve local educators as a resource. In this conversation, we considered work to build relationships with nearby schools.

After this meeting, we contacted Allie Peterson, of the Monarch School, in the nearby neighborhood of Barrio Logan. We met with Allie in early December 2018. From that meeting, we formed plans to collaborate with Monarch’s kindergarten classroom, celebrating the Chinese New Year in February 2019.

On January 29th, after checking in at the front desk at the Newton Avenue campus, SDCHM Education staff followed Kathleen Loyd back to her kindergarten classroom, where we got to work, preparing materials. When the children arrived to the classroom from their snack, they took a seat on the carpet in front of a digital blackboard, where Kathleen gestured to a globe, and invited Siyun to join her in the center of the classroom.

Siyun explained how the Chinese calendar gives significance to years, months and days, in connection with lunar phenomena. She spoke about how the Pig figures into the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac; the pig is the last to arrive at the finish line of a race convened by the Jade Emperor. Pigs are said to strive for beauty and a more philosophical, intellectual approach to life.

Kathleen reminded the students of the New Year’s Parade, to welcome the Year of the Pig on February 5th. Everyone gathered at their seats to engage in the mask-making activity. Between Monarch staff, volunteers, and SDCHM Education staff, we assisted students, as each child worked to prepare their pig mask, using the straightforward design developed by Siyun and Yifan Min.

On the day of the lunar new year, we returned to Ms. Loyd’s classroom. Siyun stood near the digital blackboard, opening with the phrase “Xīnnián kuàilè,” asking the children to repeat, as they learned how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese.

The children collected the masks they’d made on January 23rd. They joined Ms. Loyd at a table, where she presented a collective dragon costume that was constructed for the parade around the school. Six children formed the dragon for the parade, gathering around hula-hoops beneath the burlap costume. Three classmates helped to carry the gift buckets that had been prepared for the event, in order to share the red envelopes and fortune cookies with everyone else at the school. The dragon engaged in a practice session in the classroom before entering the hallway.

Kathleen led the group, providing a beat with her classroom drum. Siyun supported the gift-bearers toward the dragon’s tail, helping to ensure that their buckets remained full with envelopes and cookies The three young ladies distributed the gifts among fellow students, teachers, and staffers, as the dragon visited the classrooms and offices at the Nat & Flora Bosa Campus on Newton Avenue.

We’re excited to circle back around with Monarch, following these moments of collaboration in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Please stay tuned to the Museum website, for information about the internship program that we’re working on with Monarch’s Career Development Coordinator, Michael Gualden.

Siyun and Kathleen at the front of the classroom.

The dragon travels through the hallway...

Events and Education Calendar (Spring 2019)MARCH 2Peach Blosson craft .....................................................................Education staff

MARCH 3A bite of Chinese embroidery.....................................................Education staff

MARCH 9Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour.........................Amie GarapichHERSTORY opening reception and lecture............................Dr. Chiu Chen

MARCH 16Catch the Spring (kite workshop) .............................................Education staff

MARCH 17A bite of Chinese embroidery.....................................................Education staff

MARCH 23Catch the Spring (kite workshop) .............................................Education staff

MARCH 24A bite of Chinese embroidery.....................................................Education staff

MARCH 30Open House! San Diego................................................................SDCHM staffCatch the Spring (kite workshop) .............................................Education staff

MARCH 31Open House! San Diego...............................................................SDCHM staffA bite of Chinese embroidery....................................................Education staff

APRIL 6Blossom in hands craft activity..................................................Education staff

APRIL 7Blossom in hands craft activity..................................................Education staff

APRIL 13Blossom in hands craft activity..................................................Education staffAsian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour.........................Amie Garapich

APRIL 27Chase the Spring: Qingming......................................................Education staff

MAY 415th Annual Dragon Boat Festival.............................................SDCHM staffThe Value and Appraisal of Chinese Art and Antiques (lecture)..Hua Zhang

MAY 11Tea Ceremony.............................................................................Education staff

MAY 12Card for Beloved Ones activity..................................................Education staff

MAY 31Dragons Exhibition VIP opening reception..............................SDCHM staff

JUNE 1Dragons Exhibition Public opening reception..........................SDCHM staff

JUNE 29Boba competition...........................................................................SDCHM staff

FUNDING & DONOR SUPPORT

Archive & Learning Center Building Fund

Alexander & Agnes Chuang..............$273,000.00Richard & Sophia Henke .....................$75,000.00Shu-Gar Chan .......................................$70,000.00Fah-Seong & Polly Liew.......................$50,000.00Hwei-Chih & Julia Hsiu Endowment Fund .$20,000.00Robert C. Nelson & Jean A. Fujisaki ......$17,850.00Richard & Laura Bregman...................$15,000.00Anonymous ...........................................$11,100.00Gene Lay ................................................$11,000.00Pei Chi & Rosalind Chou ......................$4,000.00Wu Chung Hsiang & Vicky Ching .......$1,000.00Robert E. Lee ...........................................$1,000.00Charles & Linda Tu ................................$1,000.00Chen-Wai & Jin-Ling Wang ..................$1,000.00Jim Yow & Suzie Hom ...............................$500.00Sherwin & Julie F. Wang ...........................$500.00Robin G. & Tammy Tran Low..................$200.00Michael & Criselda Yee .............................$200.00Grand Total .............................. $552,300.00

Endowment FundHwei-Chih & Julia Hsiu Endowment Fund $90,000.00Suzanne & Shu-Gar Chan ...................$75,000.00Richard Henke ......................................$75,000.00Kwan L. & Marion So ...........................$60,000.00Theodore Tchang ..................................$50,000.00Jung Fu & Jennie C.C. Wu ...................$31,000.00Alexander & Agnes Chuang................$30,000.00Andrew & Grace Lu .............................$25,000.00Fah-Seong & Polly Liew.......................$22,500.00Tom & Dorothy Lee .............................$20,000.00Shao-Chi & Lily Lin .............................$20,000.00Andrew C. & Janet C. Wang................$19,000.00Norman & Pauline Fong ......................$17,000.00Genghis Khan California, Inc. ............$13,300.00Shu & Kuang-Chung Chien ................$13,000.00Drumright Memorial Fund .................$10,000.00Tom & Loretta Hom .............................$10,000.00Sandra Wawrytko/Fu Foundation ......$10,000.00Joseph & Vivian Wong .........................$10,000.00Winnie Wong Chase ............................$10,000.00Y.C. & Luna Fung ...................................$8,600.00James Ho ..................................................$7,500.00Lilly Cheng ..............................................$5,000.00Peter Shih .................................................$5,000.00George & Jean Kung ...............................$4,000.00Anthony Y.H. & Lillian W. Lu ...............$4,000.00Charles & Linda Tu ................................$3,200.00Dee & Susan Lew ....................................$3,000.00Robert E. Lee ...........................................$2,000.00Gorman & Delores Fong .......................$1,500.00Jack & Shirley Fu ....................................$1,000.00Ernest Chun-Ming & Huei-Jen Huan ..$1,000.00Stuart H. & Irene W. Hurlbert ..............$1,000.00Theresa F. Lai ...........................................$1,000.00Murray & Gladys Lee .............................$1,000.00Edward G & Ellen G Wong ...................$1,000.00Michael & Criselda Yee .............................$400.00Chun & Donna Lee ...................................$200.00Robin G. & Tammy Tran Low..................$200.00Raymond & Lillie Cheung ........................$100.00Milton Low & Lynn Low ..........................$100.00Howard & Judith Rubenstein ...................$100.00Steve & Susanna Kuei ..................................$50.00Grand Total .............................. $661,750.00

2018 Honorary Luncheon Donations

Rosa Ovshinsky...................................$30,000.00Alex & Agnes Chuang..........................$11,400.00Julia Hsiu, on behalf of the Hwei-Chih & Julia Hsiu Endowment Fund........................$10,000.00Fah Seong Liew & Polly R. Liew......... $10,000.00Andrew & Grace Lu.............................$10,000.00Claire Reiss.............................................$10,000.00Jean Cheng...............................................$8,500.00Gene Lay...................................................$3,000.00Melissa Miao ...........................................$3,000.00Michael & Criselda Yee..........................$2,700.00Kuangchung Chien & Shu Chien......... $2,000.00 Sawyer Hsu..............................................$2,000.00 Dr. Shao-Chi Lin & Mrs. Lily Yuli Lin .$2,000.00Dr. Winnie Wong Chase........................$2,000.00Teh Hsuang (Tom) Lee...........................$2,000.00Dr. & Mrs. James Y. Chan......................$1,000.00Margaret Chang......................................$1,000.00Peggy Cheong & Gary Fong..................$1,000.00Yuan Cheng Fung, Luna H Fung, Conrad A. Fung, Brenda P. Fung.............................$1,000.00Haldane Liew & Susan Yee....................$1,000.00Jack & Wendy Meng...............................$1,000.00Dr. Lu Jeu & Georgina Bien Sham........$1,000.00Kwang G. & Grace Tan...........................$1,000.00Chen & Grace Wang...............................$1,000.00Sherwin & Julie Wang............................$1,000.00George Tzung & Jean Cheng....................$500.00Mimi Wong.................................................$500.00Paul & Irene Lee Foundation....................$500.00Yi Sun..........................................................$300.00Yau Cheng & Lucia Lin Yung...................$300.00Cindy Woo..................In-kind, valued at $300.00Theresa Liu..................................................$200.00Mr. Joe Meng & Mrs. Grace Meng...........$200.00 James & Laurie Wen..................................$200.00Celia Shi-Ching Su.....................................$100.00

Grand Total ................ $121,400.00

Chinese Community

Church of San Diego

Confucius Institute atSan Diego State University

21st Century China Center

at UC San Diego

special thanks to our

community partners

Chinese Consolidated

Benevolent Association

of San Diego

12 13

Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour

My name is Amie Lee Garapich, and I am a docent for the Pan-Pacific Historic District of San Diego at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. I carry out exciting tours of the district on the second Saturday of every month at 11:00 a.m.

I am half-Chinese and half-English. My dad was born in Ipoh, Malaya, where his parents worked in the tin mines. I was born in Chula Vista, and have lived in the San Diego area for my entire life.

In the 1940’s and ‘50’s, when I was young, I would visit San Diego’s Chinatown with my dad at least once a week to go to Woo Chee Chong’s. My father, who did much of the cooking in the house, wanted to have fresh Chinese food staples, like meat, bok choy, and tofu. At the time, Woo Chee Chong was the only Chinese market in San Diego. I attended Chinese language school at least twice a week, in the building that is now the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (at the time, it was known as the Chinese Community Church). Most of the children that attended the lan-guage school lived in the Chinatown area. It was my way of connecting with the community.

During the first part of my tours, I discuss the early history of the area, starting in the late 1880’s and 1890’s. All along the walk, I will point out pertinent places that are original and still operating, like the Chinese Historical Museum, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and the Quin residence.

I feel that these recollections are important to the Chinese and San Diego community, because they relate a part of history that might be lost. I want to share some of my experience with others to bridge the cultural gap between the Chinatown of the past and the Asian-Pacific Historic District of the present.

(To book an Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour with Amie Lee Garapich, please email educa-tion@sdchm.org or call (619) 338-9888.)

By Amie Lee Garapich

Tai Chi in the Garden (Every Saturday)Asian-Pacific Historic District Walking tour (Second Saturday of the month, starting at 11:00 a.m.)

Recurring activities:

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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

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