"Spring Stool" and "Spring" Stool—Discussion with Mr.Wei Qijun and Mr.Kong Lingbin

"Spring Stool" is a popular article of furniture in Ming and Qing dynasties, which is just a wide and long bench without backrest. Stool surface is generally made in the way of"Zanbian", usually accommodating two people sitting or one person lying, which can also be used for putting objects. However, "Spring Stool" is not only a kind of household utensils, but also has rich social and cultural connotations, reflecting the people's yearning and pursuit of better life. For this reason, "Spring Stool" frequently appeared in the stories of Ming and Qing dynasties as well as contemporary stories. Only when the characteristics and cultural connotation of "Spring stool" are accurately understood, can we thoroughly appreciate how it meets the demands of depicting the scene in the novel, what household behavior and socio-cultural psychology it implies. Thus we can feel the novelists' emotional depictions and delicate artistic designs.