Tomb of Shi Nai'an

Tomb of Shi Nai'an

The Tomb of Shi Nai'an is a cultural relics protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Tomb of Shi Nai'an is located in Shijiaqiao Village, Xinduo Town, Xinghua City. In 1957 and 1982, the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government designated it as a cultural relics protection unit twice.

Shi Nai'an had lived in Xinghua for generations (as noted in Yang Xin’s "Epitaph of Shi Rang": “Our earliest ancestor lived for generations in Xinghua, Yangzhou”). He passed away in his residence in Huai'an in the third year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1370). His grandson, Shi Shuyuan, transported the coffin back to their hometown and buried him at Shijiaqiao in Baiju Market. The "Continued Annals of Xinghua County" records: “Within the Hetawa polder in the county territory, at Shijiaqiao, lies the grave of the Yuan Dynasty recluse Shi Nai'an.” Both the Baiju Market Shijiaqiao and the Hetawa polder Shijiaqiao from the Yuan and Ming periods are now Shijiaqiao Village, Xinduo Town, Xinghua City. Since the Ming Dynasty, every year around the Qingming Festival, descendants of the Shi family have gathered from all directions at Shijiaqiao to hold solemn yet simple memorial ceremonies at the ancestral tomb.

The Tomb of Shi Nai'an, built in the early Ming Dynasty, endured centuries of vicissitudes. By the early days of the War of Resistance against Japan, it had been overgrown with weeds. In 1941, the Xinghua County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government was established. Sun Weimin, the third county magistrate, personally visited the tomb to pay respects during the arduous years of leading resistance behind enemy lines and organizing anti-sweeping campaigns by the military and civilians. He also initiated the tomb’s restoration. Soon after, Sun Weimin was ordered to transfer elsewhere, but before leaving, he specifically instructed his successor, Cai Gongjie, to restore and protect the Tomb of Shi Nai'an. In 1943, under extremely difficult conditions, the Xinghua County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government allocated special funds to renovate the tomb and the brick memorial archway in front of it. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, especially since the reform and opening-up, the tomb area has undergone multiple renovations and expansions. Facilities such as an entrance stone archway, gatehouse, sculptures, arched bridges, pavilions, and an exhibition room for historical materials have been added, and the area has expanded to over 40,000 square meters.

The tomb faces south and features a circular earthen mound, 3.5 meters high and 5 meters in diameter, with a brick foundation beneath the mound. On the front of the tombstone is inscribed “Tomb of the Great Literary Master Shi Nai'an,” written in the hand of Chen Tongsheng, Commissioner of the Second Sub-region of the Central Jiangsu Administrative Region of the Anti-Japanese Democratic Government. The upper inscription reads “Publicly built by the people of Xinghua in the spring of the 32nd year of the Republic of China,” and the lower one reads “Respectfully inscribed by Chen Tongsheng.” The back of the tombstone bears an epitaph personally composed by Cai Gongjie, then Magistrate of the Xinghua County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government: “Among the various unofficial histories circulating the world, few, if any, extol the heroic deeds of the rulers. Those that express the people’s long-suppressed sentiments and depict resistance are exceedingly rare—of these, only the novel 'Water Margin' stands out. The author of 'Water Margin,' Mr. Shi Nai'an, was a native of Jiangsu. In the spring of the year Guiwei, I was appointed to govern Xinghua. At that time, the nation faced great peril, Japanese invaders occupied our land, and all towns and cities fell into enemy hands. Our government held firm in the vast rural areas. In the northeast corner of the county lies Shijiaqiao Village, the ancestral home of the Shi family. According to the Shi family genealogy, Mr. Shi took refuge here to avoid conscription by Zhang Shicheng. The Shi family tomb lies northeast of the village and had long been neglected, covered by a mound of yellow earth, looking rather desolate. I admired Mr. Shi’s talent and aspirations—he was someone who could transcend worldly concerns. The loyalty, heroism, noble spirit, and integrity of the 108 heroes in his book stand in stark contrast to the self-serving traitors of today who betray their nation and shamelessly serve the enemy. As for the brilliance of his writing, that goes without saying. I deeply love the profound meaning of 'Water Margin' and greatly admire Mr. Shi’s lofty character. Therefore, I restored his tomb and shrine as an inspiration for future generations. Perhaps this is not without merit? On the day of completion, I record this account. In the 32nd year of the Republic of China, the year of Jiwei, Cai Gongjie of Guangling inscribes this.”

South of the tomb mound stands a simple yet dignified three-arch brick memorial archway, 5 meters high and 11 meters wide. The central gate is inscribed with four large characters, “Nai’an Gong Fang” (Archway of Master Nai’an), written by Baiju’s Yang Puxian.

In 2011, the municipal government decided to carry out environmental improvements at the Tomb of Shi Nai'an Park. In 2013, the entire project was completed and passed the acceptance inspection by the Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau.

Shi Nai'an (1296–1371), originally named Yan Duan, styled Zhaorui, also known as Zi’an and by the alias Nai’an, was a literary figure of the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. An ethnic Han from Xinghua, Jiangsu (some say Qiantang, Zhejiang). Intelligent and studious from a young age, he passed the imperial examination for xiucai (a licentiate degree) in 1314, the xiangshi (provincial examination) in 1324, and became a jinshi (advanced scholar) in 1331. He soon served as magistrate of Qiantang County but resigned after being reprimanded by the county official for defending the poor and righting wrongs. He then returned home and devoted himself to writing. Together with his disciple Luo Guanzhong, he researched and wrote works such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "The Three Sui Quash the Demons’ Revolt"... More details about Shi Nai'an ++

Shijiaqiao Village: Located 3 kilometers east of Xinduo Town, the village houses the Tomb of Shi Nai'an Park, among other sites... More details about Shijiaqiao Village ++

Further reading:

· First and second batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units