Yan Shigu
Encyclopedia
Yan Shigu (581–645), formal name Yan Zhou , but went by the courtesy name of Shigu, was a famous Chinese
author
and linguist of the Tang Dynasty
.
jurisdiction), his ancestry was originally from Langya ' onMouseout='HidePop("32736")' href="/topics/Linyi">Linyi, Shandong
jurisdiction). Yan's grandfather Yan Zhitui
was an official under the Northern Qi
, after the fall of Northern Qi, Zhitui became an official of the Northern Zhou
, and moved his families to Guanzhong
. His son Yan Silu , Yan's father, was also an official, and served under the residence of Li Shimin.
Yan was well-read during his youth and was familiar in philology. He was recommended by Li Gang (李纲) and was given a post at Anyang county (now Xiangfan, Hubei
) during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui
. One of his father old friend, Xue Daoheng (薛道衡), was very impressed by Yan's talent, and often asked for his review on his new works. For some reason, he was deposed later and took a residence at Chang'an
, during the next ten years he lived in a poverty life and participate in teaching career. He was later granted several important official posts during the Tang Dynasty
. Yan was promoted when Li Shimin was ascended to the throne, but resumed his duty after his mother's funeral.
Through years of struggling, he was then demoted, but was subsequently ordered to revisal the Five Classics in the library. He wrote commentaries on several Chinese classic texts
such as the Shiji and Hanshu. According to New Book of Tang
, he died on the route during an expedition to Goguryeo
in 645.
Yan Zhenqing
, a 8th century calligrapher was his descendant.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and linguist of the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
.
Biography
Yan was born in Wannian ' onMouseout='HidePop("82107")' href="/topics/Xi'an">Xi'an, ShaanxiXi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
jurisdiction), his ancestry was originally from Langya ' onMouseout='HidePop("32736")' href="/topics/Linyi">Linyi, Shandong
Linyi
Linyi is a prefecture-level city in the south of Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The largest prefecture-level city in Shandong both by area and total population, Linyi borders Rizhao to the east, Weifang to the northeast, Zibo to the north, Tai'an to the northwest, Jining to the...
jurisdiction). Yan's grandfather Yan Zhitui
Yan Zhitui
Yan Zhitui was a Chinese scholar, calligrapher, painter, musician, and government official who served four different Chinese states during the late Southern and Northern Dynasties: the Liang Dynasty in southern China, the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou Dynasties of northern China, and their...
was an official under the Northern Qi
Northern Qi
The Northern Qi Dynasty was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577.-History:The Chinese state of Northern Qi was the successor state of the Chinese/Xianbei state of Eastern Wei and was founded by Emperor Wenxuan...
, after the fall of Northern Qi, Zhitui became an official of the Northern Zhou
Northern Zhou
The Northern Zhou Dynasty followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. It was overthrown by the Sui Dynasty.Northern Zhou's basis of power was established by Yuwen Tai, who was paramount general of Western Wei, following the split of Northern Wei into Western Wei and...
, and moved his families to Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
. His son Yan Silu , Yan's father, was also an official, and served under the residence of Li Shimin.
Yan was well-read during his youth and was familiar in philology. He was recommended by Li Gang (李纲) and was given a post at Anyang county (now Xiangfan, Hubei
Xiangfan
Xiangyang is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. It was formed from two famous ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng...
) during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui
Emperor Wen of Sui
Emperor Wen of Sui — personal name Yang Jian , Xianbei name Puliuru Jian , nickname Naluoyan — was the founder and first emperor of China's Sui Dynasty . He was a hard-working administrator and a micromanager. As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state...
. One of his father old friend, Xue Daoheng (薛道衡), was very impressed by Yan's talent, and often asked for his review on his new works. For some reason, he was deposed later and took a residence at Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, during the next ten years he lived in a poverty life and participate in teaching career. He was later granted several important official posts during the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
. Yan was promoted when Li Shimin was ascended to the throne, but resumed his duty after his mother's funeral.
Through years of struggling, he was then demoted, but was subsequently ordered to revisal the Five Classics in the library. He wrote commentaries on several Chinese classic texts
Chinese classic texts
Chinese classic texts, or Chinese canonical texts, today often refer to the pre-Qin Chinese texts, especially the Neo-Confucian titles of Four Books and Five Classics , a selection of short books and chapters from the voluminous collection called the Thirteen Classics. All of these pre-Qin texts...
such as the Shiji and Hanshu. According to New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
, he died on the route during an expedition to Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
in 645.
Yan Zhenqing
Yan Zhenqing
Yan Zhenqing was a leading Chinese calligrapher and a loyal governor of the Tang Dynasty. His artistic accomplishment in Chinese calligraphy parallels the greatest master calligraphers throughout the history, and his regular script style, Yan, is often imitated.-Early life:Yan Zhenqing was born...
, a 8th century calligrapher was his descendant.
External links
- http://riccilibrary.usfca.edu/listAuthor.aspx?authorID=3821