1930-1935

          I practised brush-writing daily and this I kept up
ever after so that now, after thirty years, I have developed
a calligraphic style of my own which is recognized by Chinese
and Japanese scholars.
          As Chinese rendering of my name I chose KAO LO-P'EI
KAO representing the GU in van Gulik, and LO-P'EI being a
phonetic rendering of my personal name Robert. To this name
I have stuck throughout the years, and it is by this name
that I am known in the Far East.

1935-1942

          As my activities in the Japanese and Chinese cultural
field broadened it proved necessary to adopt beside my regular
Chinese name KAO LO-P'EI also a literary designation. I chose
Chih-t'ai "Terrace of the Agaric of Longevity", because the
Legation is situated in the Shiba quarter of Tokyo, and on a
hill; the two characters happen to have also a deeper Taoist
meaning. My studio I called Chi-i-chai, which refers to early
Dutch-Chinese relations; it was the Hong-name the Chinese gave
in the 18th century to the Dutch Factory in Canton. Since in
accordance with Chinese custom I later changed my library-name
several times in accordance with changes in my life, and since
these names often appear in my publications and on scrolls
written and painted by me, I may record them here. In 1941,
when I had built up a fairly large collection of books and
manuscripts dealing with Chinese music, I put them all in one
special room in my bungalow and called this Chung-ho-ch'in-shih
"Lute Chamber of the Middle Harmony".
          When in 1942 I learned that my entire collection had
become lost during the war, I adopted for my small library in
Chungking the name Yu-ts'un-chai "Studio of what is only left"
referring to a Chinese literary allusion meaning "All my
material possessions having become lost, I only retain my
firm intentions".
          When thereupon I became engaged to be married, Chinese
friends pointed out that Yu-ts'un-chai could hardly be called
appropriate any more, and that something more romantic was
indicated. Then I changed it into Yin-yüeh-an "Hermitage where
one sings to the Moon".
           Ten years later, after I had been promoted Counsellor
of Embassy, it was pointed out to me that this was much too
frivolous a library-name for an official of that rank, so I
changed it again to Tsun-ming-ko "Hall where Clarity is revered".
"Clarity", Chinese ming, I take here in its literal meaning
because clarity is what we all need in this confused life of ours,
and also in its meaning "Ming Dynasty" because it is that period
of Chinese culture which lies neares to my heart. This name I
have been using till the present (1964).
           I love manual skills, so I learned Chinese seal
engraving, and carved seals of all these various names and
appellations.