Great Learning's Origin (Biography of Zhu Yizun)

Author: Wang Limin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: A Qing Dynasty poet and scholar. His courtesy name was Xichuang, style name Zhutuo, later style name Xiaochanglu Fishing Master, and also styled as Jinfengting Master. Born in Xiushui (now Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province). In the 18th year of the Kangxi reign (1679), he passed the Imperial Examination for Scholars with Outstanding Literary Talent and was appointed as a Hanlin Academician without official rank. He joined the Southern Study Hall and participated in compiling the History of Ming. He once served as the chief examiner for the Jiangnan Provincial Examination. Later, due to illness, he was unable to complete his duties and returned home. With profound knowledge and abundant writings, he authored three volumes of medical works titled Shicheng Hongmi, a treatise on food and herbs, which is still in print. Zhu Yizun excelled in both writing and textual research; his poetry was meticulous, elegant, and robust, and he was renowned alongside Wang Shifu as the (north-south equals) of his time. He was a pioneer of a major school of Ci poetry in the early Qing Dynasty. Represented by the Zhe School (also known as "Zhexi School"), he stood alongside the Yangxian School, represented by Chen Weisong, as dominant forces in the Ci world. After eight years of effort, he compiled the Ci in 1678. The land of Zhejiang, though not vast but deeply rooted in culture, has nurtured numerous cultural luminaries: Wang Xizhi, Xie Lingyun, Luo Binwang, Meng Jiao, Han Shan, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wang Meng, Mao Dun, Xia Yan, Yu Dafu, Zhu Kezhen, and Tong Dizhou. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving great accomplishments. The "Biographies of Zhejiang Cultural Luminaries Series" is a cultural project launched by the Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences in response to the call of the provincial party committee and government, introducing the biographies of 100 ancient and modern Zhejiang-born cultural figures. This book is one of the series, introducing the great master—Zhu Yizun.