Writing of the Ultimate CV: A Death Ritual in Medieval China
Presentation by Josh Yiu
Given by the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong on October 8, 2020
Examines the life of a prematurely deceased 20-year through her epitaph, created in China in the year 518 CE, and discover how the craftsmanship and aesthetic are passed on in modern Chinese culture with a veteran tombstone engraver.
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Translation of the epitaph:
The lady belonged to the family of Yang. Named Wuchou and courtesy name Huifen, she was a native of Xixian Village, Tong Township. She was the great-granddaughter of Yang Zhongzhen, Governor of Qinghe and daughter of the fourth son of Yang Yi, Regional Inspector of Luozhou. Gentle, elegant, virtuous and enlightened, she was a lady with Buddhist wisdom who adhered to women’s precepts as laid down by Ban Zhao. Her candor was comparable to Meng Guang; wisdom, to Cai Wenji. An extraordinary woman of letters and nobility she was. Her day-to-day filial piety and gentleness were beyond words. She should have been married to a renowned family and enjoyed a leisurely life in the inner court of the mansion. But heaven had no pity.
On the 18th day of the first month in the first year of the XIping reign, at the age of 21, she passed away on her bed in Baima Township. On the 23rd day of the second month of the year, at the hours of jiyou, she was buried in Dingcheng Village.
Writing of the Ultimate CV: A Death Ritual in Medieval China
Presentation by Josh Yiu
Given by the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong on October 8, 2020
Examines the life of a prematurely deceased 20-year through her epitaph, created in China in the year 518 CE, and discover how the craftsmanship and aesthetic are passed on in modern Chinese culture with a veteran tombstone engraver.
Translation of the epitaph:
The lady belonged to the family of Yang. Named Wuchou and courtesy name Huifen, she was a native of Xixian Village, Tong Township. She was the great-granddaughter of Yang Zhongzhen, Governor of Qinghe and daughter of the fourth son of Yang Yi, Regional Inspector of Luozhou. Gentle, elegant, virtuous and enlightened, she was a lady with Buddhist wisdom who adhered to women’s precepts as laid down by Ban Zhao. Her candor was comparable to Meng Guang; wisdom, to Cai Wenji. An extraordinary woman of letters and nobility she was. Her day-to-day filial piety and gentleness were beyond words. She should have been married to a renowned family and enjoyed a leisurely life in the inner court of the mansion. But heaven had no pity.
On the 18th day of the first month in the first year of the XIping reign, at the age of 21, she passed away on her bed in Baima Township. On the 23rd day of the second month of the year, at the hours of jiyou, she was buried in Dingcheng Village.
Click here to visit the website for the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Top Image: A similar epitaph from Tomb Museum, Luoyang, Henan Province. Photo by Gary Todd / Wikimedia Commons
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