Tomb of Zheng Wenying, Kyoto Interpreter of the Ryukyu Kingdom

Tomb of Zheng Wenying, Kyoto Interpreter of the Ryukyu Kingdom

The Tomb of Zheng Wenying, Kyoto Interpreter of the Ryukyu Kingdom, is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Tomb of Zheng Wenying is located in the compound of the county library in Wangying Town, Huaiyin County.

Zheng Wenying was originally from Changle County, Fujian. In the 25th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1392), his ancestor Zheng Yicai, along with 36 households from Fujian, crossed eastward to the Ryukyu Islands to pioneer and make a living.

In the 58th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1793), Zheng Wenying served as the Kyoto Interpreter for the Ryukyu Kingdom’s tribute mission. Together with Chief Envoy Mao Guodong, Deputy Envoy Mao Tingzhu, and 20 others, he came to China on a diplomatic mission. En route, he fell ill, died at the Qingkou Post Station in Wangjiaying, and was buried 50 meters away from the post station beside Tonghua Palace (the current tomb site). His tomb was originally an earthen mound, with a stone stele in front, measuring 1.2 meters wide and 0.64 meters tall, with wave patterns carved around the edges. The central inscription read: “Tomb of Zheng Wenying, Kyoto Interpreter of the Ryukyu Kingdom,” with the upper inscription: “In the 58th year of Qianlong, he was sent on a tribute mission and passed away on November 14, and was buried here,” and the lower inscription: “The original stele was partially damaged and was re-erected in the 25th year of the Republic of China by local residents; inscribed by Jin Yingyuan of Xinghua.” In 1980, two tomb steles of Zheng Wenying were unearthed behind the main stele: one large half-piece and one small square pillar. Both were parts of the original stele. The square pillar stele is 0.59 meters tall and 0.13 meters wide, inscribed with “Tomb of Zheng Wenying, Great Interpreter of Beijing for the Ryukyu Kingdom, Daling of the Noble Rank,” and its text matches records in the Wangjiaying Annals.

Excavations revealed a wooden coffin oriented east-west inside the tomb. In 1984, a brick-and-stone tomb enclosure was built, along with a protected memorial park.

Wangjiaying Subdistrict: Wangying Town, Huaiyin District, Huaian City, is located in the heart of the North Jiangsu Plain, at the northern gateway of Huaian urban area. It currently has a population of 160,000, comprising 10 administrative villages, 10 neighborhood committees, 20 primary and secondary schools, and over a thousand industrial and commercial enterprises. The area covers 62 square kilometers. Wangying Town enjoys a unique geographical advantage and well-developed water and land transportation, historically known as the “Crossroads of Nine Provinces,” “Gateway to the Capital,” and “Southern Boats, Northern Horses.” National Highway 205, Provincial Highway 305, the Ninglian Expressway, - Highway, and the Xuyan Expressway all intersect within its boundaries. The Grand Canal, the Huaishu River, the Yanhe River, and the Ancient Yellow River flow through the region... More details about Wangjiaying Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province