国宝“越王者旨於睗剑”的故事Stories of the Treasured “Yuewang Zhuji Yushi Sword”

浙江省博物馆历史文物部

春秋末期（约公元前544年），吴越两国为了争夺霸主之位发动战争。后来越国战败，越王勾践被俘，为了保住性命，他承受了各种屈辱，最后终于有机会逃回越国。自此，他在房梁上悬挂了一枚苦胆，每天都舔一下，提醒自己不忘耻辱。此外，他还每天睡在草席上，头枕兵器，为治理国家勤勉刻苦、殚精竭虑，最终打败吴国，成为霸主。这是真实的历史故事，亦是成语“卧薪尝胆”的来源；越王勾践因此为世人所知。

During the late Spring and AutumnPeriod （around 544 BC）， the states of Wu andYue engaged in a fierce war for supremacy.Following Yues defeat， King Goujian ofYue was captured and tortured， all whileharboring the hope of returning to his homestate one day. Eventually， he managed toescape and make his way back to the stateof Yue. Upon his return， King Goujian hunga bitter gall on the rafters of his residence，licking it every day to remind himself of thebitter humiliation and suffering he enduredas a captive. Additionally， he chose to sleepon a thin straw mat and used hard weaponsas a pillow， ensuring that his rest was nottoo long. With such disciplined and diligentleadership， Yue gradually strengthened itsposition， ultimately defeating the state of Wuand rising to prominence among the states.This true historical account serves as theorigin of the Chinese idiom woxin-changdan（meaning “sleeping on straw and tasting gall，”symbolizing resilience and determination）.King Goujian of Yue has since become a wellknownfigure in Chinas history and culture.

越王勾践的佩剑被誉为“天下第一剑”，现珍藏于湖北省博物馆，为镇馆之宝。而越王勾践之子的佩剑“越王者旨於睗（shì）剑”则是浙江省博物馆的镇馆之宝。双剑并称“越剑之双绝”。“者旨”是越王的氏，读为“诸稽”，“於睗”则是名。越王者旨於睗剑为青铜所制，虽历经2 400余年，其风采依旧，不锈不蚀，寒光四射，吹毛可断，犀利异常。此剑还保存有完整的丝质缠缑（gōu，即刀、剑等柄上所缠的绳）和漆木剑鞘，这在传世的吴越剑中绝无仅有，为剑中精品。

King Goujians sword， knownas the “Number One Sword in theWorld，” is now one of the most prizedpossessions at the Hubei ProvincialMuseum. The “Yuewang Zhuji YushiSword，” belonging to King Goujiansson， stands as a representative pieceamong the collections at the ZhejiangProvincial Museum. Together， thesetwo swords are heralded as the “TwoJewels of Yue Swords.” While “Zhuji”in the name indicates the ownersclan， “Yushi” signifies the ownersname. Crafted from bronze， the“Yuewang Zhuji Yushi Sword” haswithstood the test of time for over2，400 years， retaining its formidableelegance. Remarkably， it is neitherrusted nor corroded， shining withan imposing brilliance. The edgeremains so sharp that it slicesthrough even the finest strands ofhair easily. The silk cords wrappedaround the swords handle， alongwith the lacquered wooden scabbard，have been impeccably preserved，making the sword a one-of-a-kindmasterpiece among swords from theWu and Yue regions.

春秋时期战乱不断，兵器往往是战事成败的关键。那时吴越兵器的铸造技术水平已达到高峰，而越王者旨於睗剑反映出春秋战国时期吴越地区青铜冶炼和铸造技术的最高水平。首先，此剑的金属材质纯净，杂质很少，这是它能够成为一把光洁无瑕、辉煌闪耀的宝剑的基础；其次，合金配置非常合理，熔铸火候恰到好处；其三，剑体铸造和磨削技艺高超；其四，设计精美，装饰镶嵌技术精湛。越王者旨於睗剑见证了越国的兴盛，其突出的历史价值和工艺价值，使之成为越人绝世才智与精湛工艺的不朽代表，不愧为浙江省博物馆的镇馆之宝。

In the war-torn Spring and Autumn Period， weapons were crucial in securing victory in battles. Duringthis time， the casting technique of Wu and Yue states had reached its peak， exemplified by the “Yuewang Zhuji Yushi Sword，” which showcasedthe most exquisite techniques ofbronze smelting and casting in theregion. Firstly， the swords metalis of exceptional purity， resultingin a flawless， brilliant appearance.Secondly， precise proportions ofdifferent metals were smelted atoptimal temperatures. Thirdly， thecasting and sharpening techniquesapplied to the swords body are superb.Lastly， the design and decorative workdemonstrate exquisite skills. The“Yuewang Zhuji Yushi Sword” standsproudly as one of the most cherishedpossessions of the Zhejiang ProvincialMuseum. Not only has it bore witnessto the emergence and prosperity ofthe Yue state， but it also serves as aremarkable symbol of the wisdomand craftsmanship of the Yue people，boasting profound historical andartistic significance.

今天，在浙江省博物馆，这柄宝剑依然向世人散发着它的光彩。博物馆还特别应用裸眼3D制作手法，使越王勾践、越王者旨於睗、越王亓北古这祖孙三代的剑同时亮相。观者不用戴眼镜即可在LED屏上感受立体的视觉效果，仿佛穿越至2 000多年前的风云年代，切身感受越王剑的精湛工艺与独特魅力。

Today， these mighty swords continue to shine with power at theZhejiang Provincial Museum. Utilizing naked-eye 3D technology，the museum showcases the swords of the three generations of Kingsof Yue （King Goujian， King Zhuji Yushi， and King Qibeigu） on anLED screen. Visitors can view these national treasures in threedimensionalvisual effects， journeying back over 2，000 years toappreciate the exquisite craftsmanship and unique appeal of theswords from the state of Yue， all without the need for 3D glasses.

关于越王者旨於睗剑这件国宝级文物的回归，还有一些曲折的故事。早年，该剑是如何辗转流入中国香港的，已不得而知。一次偶然的机会，它在中国香港候拍时被原上海博物馆馆长、著名青铜器专家马承源先生发现。

The return of the “Yuewang Zhuji Yushi Sword”，a national treasure， is a story full of twists and turns.We had no way of knowing how the sword made itsway into Hong Kong. Fortunately， it was discoveredby Ma Chengyuan， former director of the ShanghaiMuseum and an expert in bronzeware， as it was aboutto be auctioned off.

1995年9月，马先生收到一份来自中国香港的传真照片。从形制上判断，这是一柄战国时期的青铜剑，剑格两面铸有双钩鸟虫书铭文，正面为“戉（越）王戉（越）王”，背面为“者旨於睗”。若考释无误，此剑即为越王勾践之子者旨於睗的佩剑。马先生以其丰富的鉴定经验和较高的职业敏感度判定，这应该是一柄堪称国宝的绝世名剑，其价值和意义远在已出土的众多吴越名剑之上。他立即与浙江省博物馆取得联系，筹划赎回此剑，让它回归越国故里。考虑到赎剑所需的高额资金，最终，专家团队作出了一个非常重大且了不起的决定——号召浙江民间商人募集资金购买。当时，社会各界纷纷积极响应。最后，由杭州钢铁集团出巨资将越王者旨於睗剑赎回，并无偿捐赠给了浙江省博物馆。自此，这把剑结束了异乡漂泊的命运，重新回归吴越故里。

In September 1995， Director Ma received a faxedphoto of a sword from Hong Kong. Judging by itsshape， it appeared to be a bronze sword from theWarring States Period. Engraved on both sides of thesword guard were double-hook Chinese charactersin a style resembling birds and insects. On the frontwere the Chinese characters 戉王戉王 （King of Yue，King of Yue）， and on the back were （ZhujiYushi）. If historical documents and research werecorrect， this could be the sword of Zhuji Yushi，son of King Goujian of Yue. With his extensiveexperience in authentication and keen professionalinsight， Director Ma recognized that this must be apriceless national treasure， surpassing in value andsignificance many famous swords from the Wu andYue regions. He immediately contacted the ZhejiangProvincial Museum and proposed a plan to bring thesword back to its homeland of Yue. Considering thesubstantial cost of acquiring the sword， the expertteam made a bold and commendable decision to seekfunding from the private sector in Zhejiang. Thisappeal received a warm response， and eventually， theHangzhou Iron and Steel Group Company generouslyprovided the funds to redeem the sword and donatedit to the Zhejiang Provincial Museum. Thus， thenational treasure finally ended its wanderingsoverseas， and returned to its homeland.

这件事在当时轰动一时。近年来，随着民众经济水平的提高，越来越多的人开始关注并参与到文物保护的队伍之中，像这样由民间团体或个人从海外回购文物并捐赠给博物馆、帮助文物回归祖国的感人故事屡见不鲜。截至2023年5月，浙江省博物馆接收的民间捐赠约占馆藏文物总数的34％。民众对文化的热爱、对文物的保护意识愈发强烈，实现了博物馆的共建共荣，使得中华文明之光得以更好地照亮未来。

The story of the swords return was sensationalat the time. In recent years， as the Chinese peoplehave become wealthier， an increasing number ofthem have taken notice of and actively participated inthe protection of cultural heritage. Touching storiessuch as this one have been more heard， where privategroups or individuals purchase cultural relics fromabroad and donate them to museums， facilitating thereturn of our cultural treasures to their motherland.As of May 2023， 34% of the collections at theZhejiang Provincial Museum have been donatedby the private sector， reflecting a deep love andstrong commitment to cultural heritage protectionamong the general public. Today， museums are builtand developed through collaboration between thegovernment and the private sector， igniting the flameof Chinese civilization even brighter as we journeytowards the future.