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Xie Shang - Wikipedia
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Xie Shang

Xie Shang (308[2] – 14 June 357[3]), courtesy name Renzu, was a Chinese military general, musician and writer of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was a member of the Xie clan of Chen Commandery and was the elder cousin to the Jin prime minister Xie An. In the 350s, he participated in the expeditions to reclaim northern China for the Jin dynasty, his most important contribution being his recovery of the imperial seal, which had been lost in the north decades prior. Although a general, Shang was mostly known for his talents in art and music. He was one of the earlier known players of the pipa and helped popularize bells and stone chimes in southern China.

Xie Shang
謝しゃ尚なお
General Who Maintains the West (安西あんざい將軍しょうぐん)
In office
? (?)–352 (352)
MonarchEmperor Mu of Jin
General Who Establishes Might (建たて威たけし將軍しょうぐん)
In office
352–?
MonarchEmperor Mu of Jin
Inspector of Yuzhou (豫よ州しゅう刺史しし)
In office
353–357
MonarchEmperor Mu of Jin
Personal details
Born308
Died357
SpouseLady Yuan
RelationsXie Zhenshi[1] (sister)
Xie An (younger cousin)
ChildrenXie Kang (adopted)
Xie Sengyao
Xie Sengshao
Wang Maozhi's wife
Parent
  • Xie Kun (father)
OccupationMilitary general, poet
Courtesy nameRenzu (仁ひとし祖そ)
Posthumous nameJian (简)
For the Shang dynasty nobleman, see Xie of Shang.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Xie.

Life and career

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Early life and career

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Xie Shang was born in Chen Commandery in 308 as the son of the Prefect of Yuzhang (豫よ章あきら; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi), Xie Kun. His brother died when he was only seven years old, while his father died when he was around ten years old. On both of their funerals, he displayed maturity which puzzled the guests and captured their attention. At his brother's funeral, he was told by his father to seat with the guests. One of the guests openly remarked "This child is a Yan Hui in the seats," but Xie Shang rebuked, "How can you tell a Yan Hui without a Zhongni in the seats?" On his father's funeral in early 324,[4] the Jin official Wen Jiao came and visit him to console him. Wen thought that Shang's mourning was excessive for a child of his age, and he saw great potential in him because of this.[5]

By the time he reached adulthood, Xie Shang was known for his intelligence and wits. He avoided vulgar acts, his worst instance only being that he loved wearing flashy clothes and pants which he later stopped after his uncles advised him to. The Prime Minister, Wang Dao, favoured him a lot as he reminded him of his relative Wang Rong, one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Groves. Because of this, Wang would call him "Little Anfeng (小安おやす豐ゆたか)" (Anfeng refers to Wang Rong's place of peerage). Once he was old enough, Shang inherited his father's title of Marquis of Xian. In the government, Xie Shang served a number of offices in the government and kept those offices for the rest of his life.[6]

Shang would often visit the General Who Maintains the West, Yu Yi at Wuchang to discuss with him about military affairs. One time, the two were practicing archery when Yu said to Shang, "If you hit the target, I shall vouch for you a promotion." Shang drew his bow and managed to get a bullseye, so Yu did just as he promised. Shang was simple and incorruptible in his governance. His soldiers built a dark-clothed tent made from 40 pieces of cloth. Shang had it torn down and distributed the cloth among his men. In 344, Xie Shang became General of the Household Gentlemen of the South. Around the same time, Yu Yi's influential brother, Yu Bing, died and there were considerations to have Xie Shang replace him to diminish the Yu clan's power. However, Yu Yi knew of this and intervened, so Shang retained his old positions.[7]

Northern expeditions

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In 352, the Jin Grand Marshal, Yin Hao was petitioned to lead a campaign to reclaim Luoyang and Xuchang in northern China. Yin Hao had Xie Shang and Xun Xian to serve as his generals during the campaign. The warlord in Xuchang, Zhang Yu (張ちょう遇ぐう), had previously surrendered to Jin. Xie was tasked in appeasing him but failed. As a result, Zhang Yu lost confidence in Jin and rebelled, seizing Xuchang and Luoyang for himself.[8]

Around the same time, the Qiang chieftain, Yao Xiang had arrived in Jin from the recently destroyed Later Zhao state. He submitted to Jin and began immediately serving in the northern expedition by being stationed at Qiao (譙; present-day Bozhou, Anhui). Xiang rode on his horse and crossed the Huai River to visit Xie Shang at Shouchun. Shang sent away his attendants and guards as he wanted to personally meet with Yao Xiang, who he knew for his fame. Shang recognized him even when he wore a common headscarf, and the two talked with one another like old friends.[9]

The Heavenly King of Ran Wei, Ran Min was captured by Former Yan forces later in 352. His general Jiang Gan (蔣幹), who was ordered to defend Ye before Min's death, was on the verge of defeat as Yan forces placed the city under siege. He submitted to Jin and asked Xie Shang to help him, so Xie sent his general Dai Shi (戴施) to save him at Ye. During the course of the defence, Dai managed to trick Jiang into giving him the imperial seal, and kept it at his camp in Fangtou (枋頭, in modern Hebi, Henan).[10]

Meanwhile, Xie Shang and Yao Xiang attacked Zhang Yu at Xuchang, so Zhang was offered reinforcements by Former Qin forces led by Fu Xiong. Xie fought the Qin at Chengqiao (誠まこと橋きょう; near Xuchang) along the Ying River where he was badly routed and lost 15,000 soldiers. Shang fled to Huainan while Yao Xiang abandoned his baggages to escort him. Shang's defeat prompted Yin Hao to retreat back to Shouchun, and Shang was demoted to General Who Establishes Might.[11] Later on, Shang returned the imperial seal which Dai Shi recovered to the Jin court, and he was greatly congratulated by the officials.[a][12][13]

Xie Shang attacked Xuchang again after returning the seal. This time he sent his Champion General Wang Xia (王おう俠) to capture and Wang drove out Former Qin's Inspector of Yuzhou out from the city. Shang was promoted to Official Who Concurrently Serves in the Palace and camped at Shitou. For the next few years, Xie remained on the defensive and was given new important positions each year. When Yao Xiang rebelled in 353, Shang was stationed south of the Huai river, as the court hoped that their friendship may result in Xiang returning to Jin, although this did not happen during the two's remaining lifetime.[14]

Illness and death

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In 356, Huan Wen captured Luoyang and had a petition to have Xie Shang guard Luoyang. However, Shang was greatly sick at the start of 357, so the Intendant of Danyang, Wang Huzhi (王おう胡えびす之の), took his place while Shang was summoned to Jiankang to be made Guard General and Cavalier In Regular Attendance. However, before he could arrive, Shang succumbed to his illness and died. The court posthumously gave him his intended offices along with the privilege of a Separate Office with equal ceremonial to the Three Excellencies and posthumously named him "Jian (简)".[15]

Art and Literary works

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Although Xie Shang had been a general for most of his career, his talents mostly laid in arts and literary works. When Xie Shang went to meet with Wang Dao to receive his first office, Wang was about to hold an event at his mansion, and he asked Shang if he could perform the "Quyuwu (鴝鵒舞まい)"[b] dance for his guests. Shang agreed, and at the festival, Wang and his guests were impressed by his techniques and applauded him.[16]

Shang was also talented at playing instruments, the most notable being the pipa as he was one of the earlier players to use such instrument. It was also said that Shang could perform the pipa with his legs raised.[17] Apart from the pipa, he played the Guzheng, and once performed it in front of Huan Wen who requested it. While he was guarding Shouchun in around 353, Shang gathered the local musicians to play stone chimes in the court. The people greatly enjoyed them, and bells and stone chimes eventually became popular among the southern Chinese.[18]

Other than that, Shang was skilled at cursive script, although none of his works had survived. The famous Song dynasty calligrapher, Su Shi had mentioned them in his "Dongpo Inscription (東ひがし坡題跋だいばつ)".[19] The Book of Sui compiled ten of his poems in the "Xie Shang Ji (謝しゃ尚なお集しゅう)" but only five survived through the Tang dynasty and none of them exists today. His only known work that fully survived to this day is a short poem he titled "Song of the Great Dao (大道だいどう曲きょく)". Other that exists as snippets are "Poems for Wang Biaozhi (贈おく王おう彪ぴょう之の詩し)" and "Song of the Zheng (箏そう歌か)".

Notes

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  1. ^ This account is based on Xie Shang's biography in the Book of Jin. In the Annals of Emperor Mu in the same record, it was Dai Shi who directly sent the seal to the court rather than Shang.
  2. ^ The "Quyu (鴝鵒)" is the crested myna or Chinese starling as it is more commonly known. Quyuwu is a dance that mimics the movement of the bird.

References

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  1. ^ Lady Xie's name was not recorded in official histories, but was recorded in her father's epitaph, which was discovered in Nanjing on 10 Sep 1964. (《谢鲲墓ぼ志こころざし》：晋すすむ故こ豫よ章あきら内ない史し，陈国阳夏，谢鲲幼よう舆，以泰宁元年ねん十じゅう一いち月がつ廿にじゅう八はち亡ほろび，假葬かそう建たて康やすし县石子こ岗，在ざい阳大家か墓はか东北四よん丈たけ。妻つま中山なかやま刘氏，息いき尚なお仁じん祖そ，女おんな真石まいし。弟おとうと褒幼儒，弟おとうと广幼临，旧きゅう墓はか在ざい荧阳。)
  2. ^ According to Xie Shang's biography in Book of Jin, he was 50 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died. (未み至いたり，卒そつ于历阳，时年五ご十じゅう。) Jin Shu, vol 79. Thus by calculation, his birth year should be 308.
  3. ^ According to Sima Dan's biography in Book of Jin, Xie Shang died on the gengwu day of the 5th month of the 1st year of the Shengping era of Dan's reign. This corresponds to 14 Jun 357 on the proleptic Gregorian calendar. ([升平ますへい元年がんねん]夏なつ五ご月がつ庚午こうご，镇西将はた军谢尚ひさし卒そつ。) Jin Shu, vol 08
  4. ^ While Xie Kun's death date was not recorded in official histories, his epitaph, which was discovered in Nanjing on 10 Sep 1964, indicated that he died on the 28th day of the 11th month of the Taining (note that the epitaph used a different character for the word "Tai") era of Sima Shao's reign. This corresponds to 10 Jan 324 in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. (《谢鲲墓ぼ志こころざし》：晋すすむ故こ豫よ章あきら内ない史し，陈国阳夏，谢鲲幼よう舆，以泰宁元年ねん十じゅう一いち月がつ廿にじゅう八はち亡ほろび，假葬かそう建たて康やすし县石子こ岗，在ざい阳大家か墓はか东北四よん丈たけ。妻つま中山なかやま刘氏，息いき尚なお仁じん祖そ，女じょ真石まいし。弟おとうと褒幼儒，弟おとうと广幼临，旧きゅう墓はか在ざい荧阳。)
  5. ^ (尚なお，字じ仁じん祖そ，豫よ章あきら太守たいしゅ鯤之子こ也。幼よう有ゆう至いたり性せい。七なな歲さい喪も兄けい，哀あい慟過禮れい，親戚しんせき異い之これ。八はち歲さい神かみ悟さとる夙成。鯤嘗攜之送おく客きゃく，或ある曰：「此兒一坐之顏回也。」尚なお應おう聲ごえ答こたえ曰：「坐すわ無む尼あま父ちち，焉別顏がお回かい！」席せき賓まろうど莫不歎異。十じゅう餘よ歲さい，遭父憂ゆう，丹陽たんよう尹いん溫あつし嶠吊之の，尚なお號ごう咷極哀あい。既すんで而收涕告訴こくそ，舉止有ゆう異常いじょう童わらわ，嶠甚奇き之の。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  6. ^ (及長，開ひらき率りつ穎秀，辨わきまえ悟さと絕倫ぜつりん，脫だつ略りゃく細ほそ行ゆき，不為ふため流俗りゅうぞく之の事こと。好こう衣ころも刺とげ文ぶん袴はかま，諸しょ父ちち責せめ之の，而因自じ改あらため，遂とげ知名ちめい。善ぜん音樂おんがく，博ひろし綜眾藝げい。司つかさ徒と王おう導しるべ深ふか器き之の，比ひ之の王おう戎えびす，常つね呼よび為ため「小安おやす豐ゆたか」，辟為掾じょう。襲かさね父ちち爵咸亭てい侯こう。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  7. ^ (時安ときやす西にし將軍しょうぐん庾翼鎮武昌あきら，尚なお數すう詣まい翼つばさ咨謀軍事ぐんじ。嘗與翼つばさ共ども射い，翼つばさ曰：「卿きょう若わか破やぶ的てき，當とう以鼓吹こすい相しょう賞しょう。」尚なお應おう聲ごえ中ちゅう之の，翼つばさ即そく以其副ふく鼓吹こすい給きゅう之の。尚なお為政いせい清きよし簡，始はじめ到いた官かん，郡府ぐんぶ以布四十匹為尚造烏布帳。尚なお壞之，以為軍ぐん士し褚襦袴はかま。建けん元もと二に年ねん，詔みことのり曰：「尚なお往以戎えびす戍事要よう，故こ輟黃散ち，以授軍旅ぐんりょ。所ところ處しょ險要けんよう，宜むべ崇たかし其威望もち。今こん以為南中なんちゅう郎ろう將はた，餘よ官かん如故。」會かい庾冰薨，復ふく以本號ごう督とく豫よ州しゅう四よん郡ぐん，領りょう江え州しゅう刺史しし。俄にわか而復轉てん西中にしなか郎ろう將はた、督とく揚あげ州しゅう之の六ろく郡ぐん諸しょ軍事ぐんじ、豫よ州しゅう刺史しし、假かり節ふし，鎮曆陽ひ。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  8. ^ (浩ひろし上じょう疏請北出きたいで許もと、洛らく，詔みことのり許もと之の。以安西にし將軍しょうぐん謝しゃ尚なお、北中きたじゅう郎ろう將はた荀羨為ため督とく統すべ，進しん屯たむろ壽ことぶき春はる。謝しゃ尚なお不能ふのう撫なで尉じょう張ちょう遇ぐう，遇ぐう怒いか，據よりどころ許もと昌あきら叛，使つかい其將上官じょうかん恩おん據よりどころ洛陽らくよう，樂らく弘ひろし攻おさむ督とく護まもる戴施於倉垣かき，浩ひろし軍ぐん不能ふのう進しん。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 99
  9. ^ (晉すすむ處ところ襄じょう於譙城じょう，遣や五ご弟おとうと為ため任にん，單騎たんき度ど淮，見み豫よ州しゅう刺史しし謝しゃ尚なお于壽春はる。尚なお命めいじ去ざ仗衛，幅ぶく巾はば以待之の，一いち面めん交款，便びん若わか平生へいぜい。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  10. ^ (初はつ，謝しゃ尚なお使つかい戴施據よりどころ枋頭，施ほどこせ聞蔣干ひ求もとめ救すくえ，乃自倉垣くらかき徙屯棘とげ津つ，止とめ干ひ使者ししゃ求もとめ傳でん國璽こくじ。劉りゅう猗使繆嵩還かえ鄴白干ひ，干ひ疑うたぐ尚なお不能ふのう救すくえ，沈吟ちんぎん未決みけつ。六月ろくがつ，施ほどこせ帥そち壯士そうし百ひゃく餘人よにん入にゅう鄴，助じょ守もり三さん台だい，紿之曰：「今こん燕つばめ寇在外がい，道路どうろ不通ふつう，璽未敢送也。卿きょう且出以付我わが，我わが當とう馳はせ白しろ天子てんし。天子てんし聞璽在ざい吾われ所しょ，信しん卿きょう至誠しせい，必多發はつ兵糧ひょうろう以相救すくい餉。」干ひ以為然しか，出で璽付之の。施ほどこせ宣言せんげん使し督とく護まもる何なに融とおる迎むかい糧かて，陰かげ令れい懷ふところ璽送於枋頭あたま。甲子きのえね，蔣干帥そち銳するど卒そつ五千及晉兵出戰，慕容評ひょう大破たいは之の，斬首ざんしゅ四よん千せん級きゅう，干ひ脫走だっそう入城にゅうじょう。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 99
  11. ^ (謝しゃ尚なお、姚襄共ども攻おさむ張ちょう遇ぐう於許昌あきら。秦はた主しゅ健けん遣や丞相じょうしょう東海とうかい王おう雄つよし、衛まもる大將軍だいしょうぐん平たいら昌あきら王おう菁略地ち關東かんとう，帥そち步ふ騎き二に萬まん救すくい之の。丁ちょう亥い，戰せん於穎水すい之の誠まこと橋きょう，尚なお等とう大敗たいはい，死者ししゃ萬まん五ご千せん人にん。尚なお奔還淮南ワイナン，襄じょう棄輜重しちょう，送おく尚なお於芍陂；尚なお悉以後事こうじ付づけ襄じょう。殷いん浩ひろし聞尚敗はい，退すさ屯たむろ壽ことぶき春はる。秋あき，七なな月がつ，秦はた丞相じょうしょう雄ゆう徙張遇ぐう及陳、穎、許もと、洛らく之の民みん五ご萬まん餘よ戶こ於關中ちゅう，以右衛まもる將軍しょうぐん楊群為ため豫よ州しゅう刺史しし，鎮許昌あきら。謝しゃ尚なお降くだ，號ごう建たて威たけし將軍しょうぐん。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 99
  12. ^ (謝しゃ尚なお自じ枋頭迎むかい傳つたえ國璽こくじ至いたり建たて康やすし，百ひゃく僚畢賀が。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 99
  13. ^ (戴施送おく之これ，文ぶん曰「受天之の命めいじ，皇帝こうてい壽ことぶき昌あきら」，百ひゃく僚畢賀が。) Book of Jin, Volume 8
  14. ^ (姚襄濟ずみ淮，屯たむろ盱眙，招掠流民りゅうみん，眾至七なな萬まん，分ふん置おけ守もり宰おさむ，勸すすむ課か農のう桑くわ；遣や使つかい詣まい建たて康やすし罪狀ざいじょう殷いん浩ひろし，並なみ自じ陳謝ちんしゃ。詔みことのり以謝尚なお都みやこ督ただし江西えにし、淮南ワイナン諸しょ軍事ぐんじ、豫よ州しゅう刺史しし，鎮歷陽ひ。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 99
  15. ^ (桓溫北平きたひら洛陽らくよう，上うえ疏請尚なお為ため都と督とく司つかさ州しゅう諸しょ軍事ぐんじ。將はた鎮洛陽ひ，以疾病びょう不ふ行くだり。升平ますへい初はつ，又また進すすむ都と督とく豫よ、冀、幽かそけ、并四よん州しゅう。病やまい篤あつし，徵しるし拜はい衛まもる將軍しょうぐん，加か散ち騎き常つね侍さむらい，未み至いたり，卒そつ于曆陽ひ，時じ年ねん五ご十じゅう。詔みことのり贈おく散ち騎き常つね侍さむらい、衛まもる將軍しょうぐん、開府かいふ儀ぎ同どう三さん司つかさ，諡おくりな曰簡。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  16. ^ (始はじめ到いた府ふ通どおり謁，導しるべ以其有ゆう勝かち會かい，謂いい曰：「聞君能のう作さく鴝鵒舞まい，一いち坐すわ傾かたぶけ想おもえ，寧やすし有ゆう此理不ふ？」尚なお曰：「佳けい。」便びん著ちょ衣ころも幘而舞まい，導しるべ令れい坐すわ者しゃ撫なで掌てのひら擊げき節ぶし，尚なお俯仰ふぎょう在中ざいちゅう，傍若無人ぼうじゃくぶじん，其率詣まい如此。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  17. ^ (或ある以方謝しゃ仁じん祖そ不ふ乃重者しゃ。桓大司馬しば曰：“諸君しょくん莫輕道どう，仁ひとし祖そ企くわだて腳北窗まど下か彈だん琵琶びわ，故こ自じ有ゆう天際てんさい真人しんじん想そう。”) Shishuo Xinyu, Volume 14
  18. ^ (尋ひろ進しん號ごう鎮西ちんぜい將軍しょうぐん，鎮壽陽ひ。尚なお於是采さい拾じつ樂人がくじん，並なみ制せい石せき磬かおる，以備太ふと樂らく。) Book of Jin, Volume 79
  19. ^ (题晋人じん帖じょう：唐から太ふとし宗そう构晋人じん书，自じ二王以下仅千轴。《兰亭》以玉匣くしげ葬そう昭あきら陵りょう，世せい无复见。其余皆みな在ざい秘ひ府ふ，至いたり武たけ后きさき时，为张易えき之の兄弟きょうだい所しょ窃，后きさき遂とげ流りゅう落人おちうど间，在ざい王おう涯、赵延赏家。涯败为军人じん所しょ劫こう，剥へず去ざ金玉きんぎょく轴而弃其书。余よ尝见于李都と尉じょう玮处，见晋人じん数すう帖じょう，皆みな有ゆう小しょう印しるし“涯”字じ，意い其为王おう氏し物ぶつ也。有ゆう谢尚、谢鲲、王おう衍等帖じょう，皆みな奇き。而夷甫はじめ独どく超然ちょうぜん如群鹤耸翅，欲よく飞而末まつ起おこり也。) Dongpo Inscription, Volume 53
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