The exhibition catalog titled "Herigage Harmony Health:The Wisdom of Shanghai TCM for Modern Well-being", co-edited by Shanghai History Museum and Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Medical History Museum of Chinese Medical Association), was released on November 22nd in sync with the exhibition.
The illustrated catalog continues the exhibition's clear thread of "medicine—pharmacy—wellness," weaving together the winter traditions of Jiangnan's medicinal ointments, Shanghai's traditional pharmaceutical network, portraits of medical practitioners, and citizens' health practices through a wealth of cultural artifacts. It systematically showcases the warm interplay between maritime traditional Chinese medicine and urban life. The book features over 300 pieces/groups of TCM-related artifacts from more than a dozen cultural institutions and individuals, including nearly 50 supplementary items not originally part of the exhibition. These artifacts condense the historical trajectory and cultural significance of the exhibition space into a "paper exhibition" that can be browsed at any time.
The book also features curated reflections by exhibition curators, who, drawing from the curatorial philosophy of urban museums, reveal how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is being reinterpreted as both a city's cultural memory and a way of life. These insights help readers gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and cultural rationale behind the development of TCM in Shanghai.
▲Some of the book covers
"Herigage Harmony Health" is a cultural exhibition and catalog that pays tribute to a city through the name of a single herb. It blends urban history, medical history, and life history into a cultural expression, bringing traditional Chinese medicine back to everyday life and revitalizing traditional wisdom in contemporary cities.
The exhibition is now open.
