Ancient Rhyme of Wu

　　The vast Taihu Lake has nurtured the beautiful and prosperous Jiangnan region. Wu culture is the source of the ancient civilization of Jiangnan, and the Kingdom of Wu boasts a history of over 600 years. For thousands of years, the descendants of Taibo have created a brilliant civilization on this land.

　　After Taibo fled to Wu, he adapted to the local customs, cutting his hair and getting tattoos. Since Wu was a water region and rice cultivation was a crucial activity, cutting hair was beneficial for working in the water. Tattooing stemmed from the worship of snakes.

　　With its humid climate and numerous rivers and lakes, for thousands of years, the people of Wu have lived by the water, using boats as their primary mode of transportation. The developed water system also made fishing a convenient way to obtain food. The phrase "rice and fish soup" perfectly reflects the production and living conditions of the people in Wu.

　　The history of pottery making in Wu can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, with the emergence of stamped hard pottery during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Hard pottery, characterized by its durability, included various shapes such as jars, pots, urns, jars with lids, beans, bowls, and plates, used for daily storage and living needs. The rich and varied decorations, with their deep and regular patterns, reflect the strong and powerful aesthetics and lifestyles of the Wu people at that time.

　　During the Spring and Autumn period, Wu's bronze casting technology made a leap forward. Due to the frequent wars at that time, the development of bronze weapons was particularly rapid, becoming famous throughout the various states. Bronze swords and Wu Ge (a type of halberd) were the main weapons of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. The bronze sword cast by Ganjiang and Moxie for King Helu of Wu represents the highest level of bronze sword casting during the Spring and Autumn period.