Ji Kang (, 223–262), sometimes referred to as Xi Kang,

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

Shuye (), was a Chinese composer, essayist, philosopher, and poet of the

Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...

period. He was one of the

Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove (also known as the Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove, zh, t=, s=竹林七贤, poj=Tiok-lîm Chhit Hiân, p=Zhúlín Qī Xián, first=t) were a group of Chinese scholars, writers, and musicians of the third ce ...

who held aloof from the dangerous politics of third-century China to devote themselves to art and refinement. Ji Kang is noted as an author and was also a famous composer and

guqin The ''guqin'' (; ) is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. It has been played since ancient times, and has traditionally been favoured by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement, as highlighted b ...

-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 slacking 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 Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, Religious Confucianism, religion, theory of government, or way of li ...

and challenged many social conventions of his time, provoking scandal and suspicion. He married

Cao Cao Cao Cao (; ; ; 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde, was a Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (), ultimately taking effective control of the Han central government. He laid the foundation f ...

's granddaughter (or great-granddaughter according to some). Ji Kang assumed a post under the

Cao Wei Wei () was one of the major Dynasties in Chinese history, dynastic states in China during the Three Kingdoms period. The state was established in 220 by Cao Pi based upon the foundations laid by his father Cao Cao during the end of the Han dy ...

state, but official work bored him. When the regent

Sima Zhao Sima Zhao () (; 211 – 6 September 265), courtesy name Zishang (子上), was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Sima Zhao capably maintained control of Wei, whi ...

came to power, he offered Ji Kang a civil position, but Ji Kang insolently rejected Sima Zhao's envoy

Zhong Hui Zhong Hui (225 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Shiji, was a Chinese calligrapher, essayist, military general, and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the younger son of Zhang Changpu with Zhong Ya ...

. 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. Ji Kang wrote ''Guangling San'', a composition for the

recounting the assassination of a king of Han. It was said to be inspired by a spirit visitation, and was widely acclaimed.Lai, T.C. and Mok, Robert (1981). ''Jade Flute: The Story of Chinese Music''. Schocken Books, New York. He was also believed to have become a ''

xian Xi'an is the list of capitals in China, capital of the Chinese province of Shaanxi. A sub-provincial city on the Guanzhong plain, the city is the third-most populous city in Western China after Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as the most populou ...

'' (Taoist immortal) through shijie by mainstream

Taoism Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ' ...

References

External links

Xi Kang and Qin music. {{DEFAULTSORT:Ji, Kang 223 births 262 deaths 3rd-century Chinese poets 3rd-century musicians Ancient Chinese composers Cao Wei essayists Cao Wei musicians Chinese male composers Chinese non-fiction writers Guqin players Musicians from Anhui People from Huaibei Philosophers from Anhui Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove Three Kingdoms philosophers

Life

See also

References

Further reading

External links