The Quintessence of Ninh Binh Stone Architecture: A Book of Great Value

In June 2024, World Publishing House published the book "The Quintessence of Ninh Binh Stone Architecture," a 236-page book in a large format (19x26.5 cm), hardcover, color printed on coated paper, by two authors: La Dang Bat and Luong Van Quang, both from Ninh Binh.

The book consists of three main sections and an appendix (section 4), which also contains numerous illustrations for each article.

In the "Preface," author La Dang Bat wrote: "In this book, we only discuss stone architecture. Stone houses here are not just houses, but also stone communal houses, temples, pagodas, and churches. No other province in our country has such stone architecture..."

Writing about stone houses not only helps readers understand stone architecture and stone carving art, but also provides insight into the nation's history, literature, beliefs, culture, and the wisdom of Vietnamese people, both past and present."

This book is a meticulous and thorough study of 18 stone architectural works in Ninh Binh , with specific measurements, realistic descriptions, and even details of the sophisticated and unique methods of quarrying and crafting stone over 400 years ago, which we admire today.

Writing about the Duy Son stone temple, the two authors wrote: "The two dragons are carved plump and strong, with all their parts intact, manes, and beards growing out of the stone. The small, pointed stones are very miraculous. The carving technique is skillful, with elaborate relief carving, meticulous detailing, and refined lines that are elegant, graceful, and lifelike, like wood carving. This is the culmination of the talent and merit of the ancients - an embodiment of nature in the cultural environment of humankind."

The book's highlights are two articles about the Phat Diem Stone Church and the unique and largest stone building in Vietnam, two magnificent works of art made of stone that showcase the intelligence, talent, and sophistication of the Vietnamese people. Under their skillful hands, the stone comes alive in an extraordinary way. They have breathed life into the stone. The unique and largest stone building in Vietnam, standing 27 meters tall with four floors, the second and third floors featuring nine arches, chronicles Vietnamese history from the time of Lac Long Quan to the time of Ho Chi Minh . The stone building is not only a unique stone architecture but also a visual historical "book," comparable to a "Dictionary of Vietnamese History."

In the book, the two authors also meticulously transcribe many Han Nom couplets carved on stone pillars with exquisite strokes, containing many hidden meanings, which also constitute a valuable collection of Han Nom calligraphy art of the nation.

It can be said that the book serves as a commentary, a story about cultural heritage, including 7 stone structures recognized by the State as "National Monuments".

The book features 18 meticulously described stone structures that showcase the tireless and creative work of the two authors, as well as the artisans of the past. "They were not only stone sculptors but also painters and poets who breathed life into the stone, transforming rough, solid rocks into unique and unparalleled works of stone art" (Preface).

This book is a tribute to and affirmation of the intellectual value and talent of people in general, and in particular, the stone carving artisans of Ninh Binh. Reading the entire book, one will see that Ninh Binh, perhaps only Ninh Binh, possesses such unique stone architecture, from small to large, from ancient to modern, from traditional to contemporary, from rudimentary to sophisticated, with delicate and graceful carvings of the "Four Sacred Animals" and "Four Auspicious Animals," as seen in the Noi Lam stone temple and the largest unique stone building in Vietnam. In these stone structures, when the stone slabs are joined together, no adhesive is used; instead, mortise and tenon joints are employed, yet they are remarkably sturdy, durable, and tightly fitted.

It must be said that the two authors have an easy-to-understand writing style and a simple, fluent style that both convinces readers and affirms their ability to observe and generalize about the research issue, thus meeting the trend of preserving and promoting the values ​​of the nation's intangible and tangible culture.

Furthermore, the book also contributes to education, especially helping the younger generation understand Vietnamese history, culture, and architecture, while also promoting Ninh Binh's tourism industry.

Today, with societal development and the availability of modern machinery for constructing ever-higher buildings, it's possible that people will forget about traditional architecture, which is entirely handcrafted using rudimentary tools like hammers, wooden mallets, and various sizes of chisels and plasterers. Therefore, this book preserves the values ​​of stone carving, both past and present, helping us to have a correct understanding of the history of our ancestors' stone carving craft and contributing to the preservation of our national cultural identity. The book is not just about stone; more importantly, it affirms the talent and skillful hands of people from the past and present.

I am confident that readers will gain much value from this book, and that it will be widely distributed domestically and printed in English so that foreigners can learn more about Vietnamese stone architecture and culture.

Thai Tuan

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/-tinh-hoa-kien-truc-da-ninh-binh-cuon-sach-co-nhieu-gia-tri/d2024073011347360.htm