Ji Kang

Ji Kang (Chinese: 嵇康, 223–262), sometimes referred to as Xi Kang, courtesy name Shuye (叔夜, "shu" means the 3rd son of the family, "ye" means night), was a Chinese writer, poet, Daoist philosopher, musician and alchemist of the Three Kingdoms period. He was one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove who held aloof from the dangerous politics of third-century China to devote themselves to art and refinement.

Ji Kang
嵇康
Attendant Counsellor (中散大夫)
In office
? (?)–? (?)
MonarchCao Mao / Cao Huan
Personal details
Born223
Suixi County, Anhui
Died262 (aged 39)
Luoyang, Henan
SpouseCao Lin's daughter
RelationsJi Xi (brother)
Children
  • Ji Shao
  • one daughter
Parent
  • Ji Zhao (father)
OccupationWriter, poet, philosopher, musician, alchemist
Courtesy nameShuye (叔夜)
Ji Kang
Chinese嵇康
In this Chinese name, the family name is Ji.

Ji Kang is noted as an author and was also a famous composer and guqin-player. He was described as a handsome and tall man (approximately 1.88 metres).

Life

As a thinker, Ji Kang wrote on longevity, music theory, politics and ethics. Among his works were Yangsheng Lun (飬生論, Essay on Nourishing Life), Shengwu Aile Lun (聲無哀樂論, Discourse on sounds [as] lacking sorrow or joy, i.e. On the Absence of Sentiments in Music), Qin Fu (琴賦, A Composition on the Qin), and Shisi Lun (釋私論, Discourse on Individuality). As a musician, Ji Kang composed a number of solo pieces for the qin.

Ji Kang was highly critical of Confucianism and challenged many social conventions of his time, provoking scandal and suspicion. He married Cao Cao's granddaughter (or great-granddaughter according to some). Ji Kang assumed a post under the Cao Wei state, but official work bored him. When the regent Sima Zhao came to power, he offered Ji Kang a civil position, but Ji Kang insolently rejected Sima Zhao's envoy Zhong Hui. When one of Ji Kang's friends was imprisoned on false charges, Ji Kang testified in his defense, but both were sent to jail. At Zhong Hui's urging, Sima Zhao sentenced Ji Kang to death. Three thousand scholars petitioned for his pardon, but his enemies were implacable. Before his execution, Ji Kang is said to have played one last melody on the guqin, a swan song forever lost.[1]

Ji Kang wrote Guangling San, a composition for the Guqin recounting the assassination of a king of Han. It was said to be inspired by a spirit visitation, and was widely acclaimed.[2] He was also believed to have become a xian (Taoist immortal) through shijie by mainstream Taoism.

See also

References
  1. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms Groups/Bands • the Scholars of Shen Zhou".
  2. Lai, T.C. and Mok, Robert (1981). Jade Flute: The Story of Chinese Music. Schocken Books, New York.

Further reading
  • Owen, Stephen [translator], Swartz, Wendy [translator], Tian, Xiaofei [editor], Warner, Ding Xiang [editor] (2017). The Poetry of Ruan Ji and Xi Kang open access. De Gruyter Mouton. ISBN 978-1-5015-0387-0
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