Aisin-Gioro Ulhicun
Encyclopedia
Aisin-Gioro Ulhicun is a Chinese
linguist
of Manchu
ethnicity who is known for her studies of the Manchu
, Jurchen
and Khitan
languages and scripts. She is also known as a historian of the Liao
and Jin dynasties. Her works include a grammar of Manchu (1983), a dictionary of Jurchen (2003), and a study of Khitan memorial inscriptions (2005), as well as various studies on the phonology and grammar of the Khitan language.
, China in 1958, the second daughter of Jin Qizong
(1918–2004), and the granddaughter of Jin Guangping
(1899–1966), both of whom were also renowned scholars of Manchu and Jurchen. She is a direct descendant of the Qianlong Emperor
as Jin Guangping was a sixth generation descendant of Qianlong's fifth son, Prince Rongchun
(Aisin-Gioro Yongqi). Other ancestors include the poetess Gu Taiqing
, who was the wife of Prince Rongchun's grandson, Aisin-Gioro Yihui (1799–1838).
Aisin-Gioro studied at the Minzu University of China in Beijing
, before obtaining a doctorate at Kyoto University
in Japan. She worked as a research scholar at the Center for Eurasian Cultural Studies at Kyoto University, and is currently a professor at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
in Beppu
.
Aisin-Gioro now lives in Japan, and is married to Yoshimoto Michimasa 吉本道雅 (born 1959), a Japanese historian of China. Since her marriage she has adopted the Japanese name Yoshimoto Chieko 吉本智慧子 (the Japanese given name Chieko means "wisdom", which corresponds to her Manchu given name, Ulhicun, which means "knowledge").
, the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty; and a "small script" that was created in 1138 by the Emperor Xizong
(r. 1135–1150), but which was first officially used in 1145. It is presumed that the Jurchen large script was modelled on the Khitan large script
, and the Jurchen small script was modelled on the Khitan small script
, but all the extant examples of Jurchen writing, including the Sino-Jurchen Vocabulary of the Bureau of Interpreters (Nǚzhēn Yìyǔ 女真譯語) and monumental inscriptions, are written in basically the same script, which is similar in form to the Khitan large script. During the 1970s a number of gold and silver paiza
were unearthed in China; these all had the same inscription which was assumed to be written in the Khitan small script. Aisin-Gioro has analysed the inscription on these paiza, and although the structure of the characters is identical to the Khitan small script she concludes that the script is not actually the Khitan small script but is in fact the otherwise unattested Jurchen small script. She argues that this small script was only used briefly during the last five years of the reign of its creator, Emperor Xizong, and when he was murdered in a coup d'état the small script fell out of use as it was less convenient to use than the earlier large script.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
linguist
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
of Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
ethnicity who is known for her studies of the Manchu
Manchu language
Manchu is a Tungusic endangered language spoken in Northeast China; it used to be the language of the Manchu, though now most Manchus speak Mandarin Chinese and there are fewer than 70 native speakers of Manchu out of a total of nearly 10 million ethnic Manchus...
, Jurchen
Jurchen language
Jurchen language is an extinct language. It was spoken by Jurchen people of eastern Manchuria, the creators of the Jin Empire in the northeastern China of the 12th–13th centuries. It is classified as a Southwestern Tungusic language.-Writing:...
and Khitan
Khitan language
The Khitan language is a now-extinct language once spoken by the Khitan people . Khitan is generally deemed to be genetically linked to the Mongolic languages. It was written using two mutually exclusive writing systems known as the Khitan large script and the Khitan small script...
languages and scripts. She is also known as a historian of the Liao
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
and Jin dynasties. Her works include a grammar of Manchu (1983), a dictionary of Jurchen (2003), and a study of Khitan memorial inscriptions (2005), as well as various studies on the phonology and grammar of the Khitan language.
Biography
Aisin-Gioro was born in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China in 1958, the second daughter of Jin Qizong
Jin Qizong
Jin Qizong or Aisin-Gioro Qizong was a Chinese historian and linguist of Manchu ethnicity who is known for his studies of the Manchu and Jurchen languages...
(1918–2004), and the granddaughter of Jin Guangping
Jin Guangping
Jin Guangping or Aisin-Gioro Hengxu was a Chinese linguist of Manchu ethnicity who is known for his studies of the Jurchen and Khitan languages and scripts.-Biography:...
(1899–1966), both of whom were also renowned scholars of Manchu and Jurchen. She is a direct descendant of the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
as Jin Guangping was a sixth generation descendant of Qianlong's fifth son, Prince Rongchun
Yongqi, Prince Rong
Aisin-Gioro Yongqi was the fifth son of the Qianlong Emperor, and bore the title "Prince Rong" . His mother was Noble Consort Yu, a member of the Haigiya clan.-Portrayal In Dramas:...
(Aisin-Gioro Yongqi). Other ancestors include the poetess Gu Taiqing
Gu Taiqing
Gu Taiqing was a Qing poettessShe was of Manchu descent. Like several other women writers and poets, she had Shi Yunyu as a supporter. She was also a friend of Liang Desheng, a female writer of tan-ci....
, who was the wife of Prince Rongchun's grandson, Aisin-Gioro Yihui (1799–1838).
Aisin-Gioro studied at the Minzu University of China in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, before obtaining a doctorate at Kyoto University
Kyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
in Japan. She worked as a research scholar at the Center for Eurasian Cultural Studies at Kyoto University, and is currently a professor at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
, or APU, is a private institution inaugurated April 2000 in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. APU was made possible through the collaboration of three parties from the public and private sectors: Ōita Prefecture, Beppu City and the Ritsumeikan Academy. APU has an enrollment of over 6,000 students...
in Beppu
Beppu, Oita
is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an official population of 125,664 and a total area of 125.13 km², with a population density of 977 persons per km²....
.
Aisin-Gioro now lives in Japan, and is married to Yoshimoto Michimasa 吉本道雅 (born 1959), a Japanese historian of China. Since her marriage she has adopted the Japanese name Yoshimoto Chieko 吉本智慧子 (the Japanese given name Chieko means "wisdom", which corresponds to her Manchu given name, Ulhicun, which means "knowledge").
Jurchen studies
One of Aisin-Gioro's contributions to the study of Jurchen has been the identification of the Jurchen small script. According to the History of the Jin Dynasty there were two different Jurchen scripts: a "large script" that was devised in 1120 by command of Wanyan AgudaWanyan Aguda
Emperor Taizu of Jin was Emperor of Jin from January 28, 1115 to September 19, 1123.He was the chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, founder and first emperor of the Jin Dynasty . He was the younger brother of Wanyan Wuyashu...
, the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty; and a "small script" that was created in 1138 by the Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Jin
Emperor Xizong of Jin reigned from February 10, 1135 to January 9, 1150 as an emperor of the Jin Dynasty which controlled northern China from 1115 to 1234. His birth name was Wányán Hélá . His Han Chinese name was Wányán Dǎn .Wanyan Dan was the first son of the founder of the Jin Dynasty Wanyan...
(r. 1135–1150), but which was first officially used in 1145. It is presumed that the Jurchen large script was modelled on the Khitan large script
Khitan large script
The Khitan large script was one of two writing systems used for the now-extinct Khitan language. It was used during the 10th-12th centuries by the Khitan people, who had created the Liao Empire in north-eastern China. In addition to the large script, the Khitans simultaneously also used a...
, and the Jurchen small script was modelled on the Khitan small script
Khitan small script
The Khitan small script was one of two writing systems used for the now-extinct Khitan language. It was used during the 10th-12th century by the Khitan people, who had created the Liao Empire in north-eastern China. In addition to the small script, the Khitans simultaneously also used a...
, but all the extant examples of Jurchen writing, including the Sino-Jurchen Vocabulary of the Bureau of Interpreters (Nǚzhēn Yìyǔ 女真譯語) and monumental inscriptions, are written in basically the same script, which is similar in form to the Khitan large script. During the 1970s a number of gold and silver paiza
Paiza
Paiza or Gerege is a tablet of authority for the Mongol officials and envoys...
were unearthed in China; these all had the same inscription which was assumed to be written in the Khitan small script. Aisin-Gioro has analysed the inscription on these paiza, and although the structure of the characters is identical to the Khitan small script she concludes that the script is not actually the Khitan small script but is in fact the otherwise unattested Jurchen small script. She argues that this small script was only used briefly during the last five years of the reign of its creator, Emperor Xizong, and when he was murdered in a coup d'état the small script fell out of use as it was less convenient to use than the earlier large script.
Works
- 1983. Mǎnyǔ Yǔfǎ 滿語語法 [Grammar of Manchu]. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People's Press.
- 1985. Mǎnyǔ Dúběn 滿語讀本 [Reader in Manchu]. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People's Press.
- 1987. Mǎnzú Gǔ Shēnhuà 滿族古神話 [Ancient Manchu Myths]. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia People's Press.
- 1992. Mǎnzhōuyǔ Yǔyīn Yánjiū 滿洲語語音研究 [Phonological Study of Manchu Language]. Tokyo: Genbunsha.
- 1996. Mòdài Zhēnguógōng Àixīnjuéluó Héngxù 末代鎮國公愛新覺羅恆煦 [The Last Duke Defender of the Realm, Aisin-Gioro Hengxu]. Tokyo: Asahi Shimbunsha.
- 1996. With Jin Guangping and Jin Qizong. Àixīnjuéluóshì Sāndài Mǎnzhōuxué Lúnjí 愛新覺羅氏三代滿洲學論集 [Collected Essays on Manchu Studies by Three Generations of the Aisin-Gioro Family]. Yuanfang Press.
- 2001. Nǚzhēn Wénzìshū Yánjiū 女真文字書研究 [Study of the Jurchen Dictionary]. Fugasha.
- 2002. With Jin Guangping and Jin Qizong. Àixīnjuéluóshì Sāndài Ā'ěrtàixué Lúnjí 愛新覺羅氏三代阿爾泰學論集 [Collected Essays on Altaic Studies by Three Generations of the Aisin-Gioro Family]. Meizandō.
- 2002. Nǚzhēn Yǔyán Wénzì Xīn Yánjiū 女真語言文字新研究 [New Study of Jurchen Language and Script]. Meizandō.
- 2003. With Jin Qizong. Nǚzhēnwén Dàcìdiàn 女真文大辞典 [Great Dictionary of Jurchen Language]. Meizandō.
- 2003. With Jin Qizong. Nǚzhēnyǔ Mǎnzhōu-Tōnggǔsī Zhūyǔ Bǐjiào Cídiǎn 女真語·滿洲通古斯諸語比較辭典 [Comparative Dictionary of Manchu-Tungusic Languages].
- 2004. Kittan Moji to Jōshin Wénzì no Rekishiteki Hikaku Kenkyū 契丹文字と女真文字の歴史的比較研究 [Comparative Study of the History of Khitan and Jurchen Scripts].
- 2004. Qìdān Yǔyán Wénzì Yánjiū 契丹語言文字研究 [Study of Khitan Language and Script]. Tokyo: Association of Eastern Literature and History.
- 2004. Liáo-Jīn Shǐ yǔ Qìdān Nǚzhēnwén 遼金史與契丹女真文 [Liao and Jin History and the Khitan and Jurchen Scripts]. Tokyo: Association of Eastern Literature and History.
- 2005. Qìdān Dàzì Yánjiū 契丹大字研究 [Study of the Khitan Large Script]. Tokyo: Association of Eastern Literature and History.
- 2006. Kittanbun Boshi yori Mita Ryōshi 契丹文墓誌より見た遼史 [Study of the History of the Liao Dynasty in Light of Khitan Epitaphs]. Shokado.
- 2007. Kittan Moji to Ryōshi 契丹文字と遼史 [Liao History and the Khitan Script].
- 2009. Àixīnjuéluó Wūlāxīchūn Nǚzhēn Qìdān Xué Yánjiū 愛新覺羅烏拉熙春女真契丹學研究 [Jurchen and Khitan Studies by Aisin-Gioro Ulhicun]. Shokado.
- 2009. Mindai no Jōshinjin—'Jōshin Yakugo' kara 'Eineiji Kihi' e— 明代の女真人—《女真訳語》から《永寧寺記碑》へ— [Ming Dynasty Jurchens — From the Jurchen Vocabulary to the Yongning Temple Memorial]. Kyoto: Kyoto University Academic Press.
- 2011. Kittango Shokeitai no Kenkyū 契丹語諸形態の研究 [Study of the Endings in Khitan].
- 2011. With Yoshimoto Michimasa. Hanbandō kara Tagameta Kittan Jōshin 韓半島から眺めた契丹・女真 [Khitan and Jurchen Seen from the Korean Peninsula]. Kyoto: Kyoto University Academic Press.