Tomb of Ruan Ji in Nanjing

Tomb of Ruan Ji in Nanjing

The Tomb of Ruan Ji in Nanjing is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing City.

Tomb of Ruan Ji in Nanjing

The Tomb of Ruan Ji is located at No. 21, Huayang Northgang, inside the campus of No. 43 Middle School in the southwest corner of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. It was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1620). It is a cenotaph. The current site includes a tomb mound and a tomb stele. The stele was erected in the 24th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1898).

Ruan Ji, courtesy name Sizong, was a native of Weishi County, Henan. He once served as the Chancellor of Dongping and the Infantry Commandant, and was commonly known as "Ruan the Infantry Commandant." He was a renowned literary figure and philosopher of the Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Ruan Ji passed away in the 4th year of the Yong’an reign of Emperor Jing (261 AD) at the age of fifty-four.

The present site believed to be Ruan Ji’s tomb is located in Duanzhuang Village, about thirty li southeast of Weishi County, Kaifeng City, Henan. The Tomb of Ruan Ji on Hualugang in Nanjing is a cenotaph erected by scholars of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in memory of this esteemed predecessor. According to the “Zizhi Tongjian” (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), “Ji Kang from Qiao Commandery, Ruan Ji from Chenliu, Ruan Ji’s nephew Ruan Xian, Shan Tao from Henei, Xiang Xiu from Henan, Wang Rong from Langya, and Liu Ling from Pei were particularly close friends and were collectively known as the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.” During the transition from the Wei to the Jin dynasties, intense internal power struggles plagued the ruling elite, creating a highly political environment. Represented by the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, the literati and prominent figures of the time grew discontent with reality. They sought to distance themselves from politics and maintain personal integrity by retreating into mountains, indulging in wine, and avoiding involvement with the powerful. Their noble principles have been admired and commemorated by later generations.

Ruan Ji composed over eighty poems titled “Odes of Contemplation,” which were widely admired. The Tomb of Ruan Ji was renovated in 1981. It is constructed with bluish-gray bricks at the base, topped with an earthen mound, standing approximately 1.85 meters tall in a conical shape, with a base diameter of about 5.3 meters. In 1982, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing City.

Ruan Ji (210–263) was a literary figure and philosopher of the Wei State during the Three Kingdoms period. His courtesy name was Sizong. He was from Ruanzhuang Village, Xiaochen Township, the son of Ruan Xuan. He once served as the Infantry Commandant and was commonly known as Ruan the Infantry Commandant. He was the foremost among the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove” and was as renowned as Ji Kang.

Ruan Ji lost his father at the age of seven and came from a poor family. His home was located north of the main road, while other members of the Ruan clan lived south of it, leading to the saying “the southern Ruans are wealthy, the northern Ruans are poor.” Ruan Ji was tireless in his studies, indifferent to wealth or status in his choice of clothing and food. He often took Confucius’ disciples Yan Hui, Min Ziqian, and Zigong as role models. Unafraid of poverty, he diligently pursued knowledge, extensively read various texts, and eventually became a celebrated literary figure. He specialized in five-character poetry... More details about Ruan Ji ++