Jianyi Archway

Jianyi Archway

The Jianyi Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Yuyao City.

The Jianyi Archway is located in Shijia Village, Banlin, south of Yuyao City, flanked by residential houses on the north and south sides. The archway faces north and features four pillars and three bays, with a total width of 7.20 meters — the central bay is 2.50 meters wide and the side bays are 1.35 meters wide. It is constructed from square stone pillars. The archway stands 5.70 meters tall. On the north side of the horizontal plaque atop the central bay is engraved the three characters “Jian Yi Fang” (Jianyi Archway), while the south side is carved with the two large characters “Ji Mei” (Continuing Excellence); the smaller plaque bears the eight characters “Bing Ke Gei Shi Zhong Shi Li Mo” (Military Affairs Censor Shi Limo). The stone beams are carved with plant-pattern designs on both the north and south sides, with protruding beast heads at the east and west ends. Each of the side bays features four three-dimensional ornaments on the top, while the central bay’s beam is adorned with bas-relief carvings of lions playing with embroidered balls and floral patterns. The stone archway is largely intact, although its roof has been destroyed. The stonework throughout the archway demonstrates exquisite craftsmanship and fine detail, possessing considerable artistic value.

The Jianyi Archway was built during the Ming Dynasty in honor of Shi Limo. Shi Limo, style name Guihong, became a Jinshi (advanced scholar) in the 16th year of the Zhengde era (1521). While serving as a Military Affairs Censor, he submitted three important proposals: “select virtuous and capable individuals to station in border prefectures,” “drive out treacherous and deceitful individuals,” and “purify the capital region,” all of which were adopted. He was a contemporary of the grand secretary Zhang Cong and held office alongside Xia Yan, maintaining close personal ties with them, but he always expressed his own independent views on major issues without seeking favoritism. When he served as Tongzhi (assistant prefect) of Yuanzhou, Jiangxi, he sincerely pacified and managed local bandits. As Prefect of Huizhou, Guangdong, he established schools, built bridges, renovated the Dongpo White Crane Temple, and within five years in the region, won the allegiance and admiration of both Han Chinese and ethnic minorities.

Because Shi Limo had served as a Military Affairs Censor — an official whose duty was to advise the emperor on state affairs — and enjoyed a good reputation, and because people of the time often referred to such officials using the ancient title “Jianyi” (counselor or remonstrating official), the “Jianyi Archway” was erected in his memory.

On March 19, 1997, the archway was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Yuyao City.