Tomb of Mi Fu

Tomb of Mi Fu

The Tomb of Mi Fu is a cultural tourism attraction.

The original Tomb of Mi Fu was located at the foot of Changshan Mountain in Dantu but later became lost and difficult to find. During the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, a memorial tomb was built at the northern foot of Huanghe Mountain in front of Helin Temple in what is now Zhenjiang City, but it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In 1986, it was restored by the Municipal Cultural Relics Management Committee and completed in January 1987. The restored Tomb of Mi Fu is situated on the northern slope of Huanghe Mountain and includes a stone-lined burial mound. The tomb has a diameter of 11 meters, with the grave mound itself being 4 meters in diameter, protected by stone railings. There are four flights of steps totaling 60 steps, flanked by two “jade belt” slopes, three terraces, and curbs on both sides, each 3.3 meters wide, with three marble benches placed on each side. The overall orientation of the tomb extends from top to bottom in a northerly direction, stretching 60 meters in length, with the majority constructed from prefabricated marble. In front of the grave stands a large stone stele inscribed with an epitaph written by Qi Gong, Chairman of the National Calligraphers Association: “Restored in the spring of 1987, the tomb of Mi Fu, Yuanzhang, Vice Minister of Rites in the Song Dynasty. Respectfully inscribed by Qigong, disciple of Manshu.” On both sides of the tomb gate are marble pillars that are square at the base and round at the top, carved with cloud patterns. About 50 meters in front of the tomb, a stone memorial archway has been reconstructed on a platform. The central horizontal stone plaque at the top bears Qi Gong’s inscription: “Tomb of Mi Fu.” The inner pair of pillars are from the original archway and are inscribed with the couplet: “A mound of earth endures a thousand autumns, Xiangyang’s literary history and the calligraphy of the Xuanhe era; a few steps into the woods reveal the Song Dynasty’s official residence and the Mi family’s mountain retreat.”

The restored Tomb of Mi Fu stands at the foot of Huanghe Mountain and is one of the scenic highlights of the southern suburbs.

Mi Fu (1051–1107), courtesy name Yuanzhang, also known as the “Man of Xiangyang” and “Hermit of Haiyue,” was born in Taiyuan (now in Shanxi Province), later moved to Xiangyang (now in Hubei Province), and eventually settled in Runzhou (present-day Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province). A renowned painter and calligrapher of the Northern Song Dynasty, he excelled in painting and calligraphy, was skilled in poetry and prose, and had a keen eye for art appraisal. In the history of painting, his style is referred to as “Mi Family Style” or the “Mi School.” He is grouped with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, and Cai Xiang as one of the “Four Masters of the Song Dynasty.” His notable works include *History of Calligraphy*, *History of Painting*, *Records of Treasured Calligraphy Awaiting Discovery*, and *Collection of Mountain and Forest* (now lost), with a compiled posthumous collection titled *Treasured Writings of Baojin*.

Mi Fu, courtesy name Yuanzhang, also known as the “Hermit of Xiangyang” and “Mountain Dweller of Haiyue,” among other titles. He was of Han ethnicity, later relocated to Xiangyang in Hubei, and resided for a long time in Runzhou (present-day Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province).

Mi Fu’s fifth-generation ancestor was Mi Xin, a meritorious official in the early Song Dynasty. His great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather held mostly military offices. His father, named Zuo with the courtesy name Guangfu, served as a Military Guard General. His mother, Lady Yan, had once been the wet nurse of Empress Gao, the wife of Emperor Yingzong of Song, Zhao Shu.

Mi Fu once served as a Proofreader, an Official in Charge of Painting and Calligraphy, and a Vice Minister of Rites. He was skilled in poetry, excelled in calligraphy across various scripts including seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive scripts, and was adept at copying ancient calligraphy to the point of near indistinguishability.

Initially studied under a certain scholar... More detailed information about Mi Fu ++