The Gatehouse and Central Hall of Wang Ao’s Former Residence

The Gatehouse and Central Hall of Wang Ao’s Former Residence

The Gatehouse and Central Hall of Wang Ao’s Former Residence is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Unit.

The main gate of Wang Ao’s former residence is located in Dayan Village, Dayan Town, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Fenghua City. In June 1982, it was designated by the Fenghua Municipal People's Government as one of the first batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units.

The main gate of Wang Ao’s residence faces east and measures 7.17 meters in width, 6.80 meters in depth, and 6.60 meters in height. The central gate is carved from stone in the shape of a vase with lotus designs. The threshold is 0.56 meters high, and the ground is paved with cobblestones. The gatehouse pillars are made from catalpa and other hardwood trees, with a circumference of 1.10 meters. The beam structure uses a combination of post-and-lintel and raised-beam techniques, with the beams, brackets, and dougong (bracket sets) adorned with vividly colored paintings. The central bay features two protruding corbel brackets, with openwork carvings on the arch walls. On either side of the front eaves columns of the central gate stand a pair of stone lions, each 1.40 meters tall, with bases 0.40 meters high. The lions crouch facing each other with raised heads, exuding an air of prestige and solemnity. The terrace in front of the central gate has three stepped levels with vertical stone slabs, and there is a stone hitching post on each side, adding to the imposing atmosphere.

Although this gatehouse is also referred to as the “Shangshu Gate” (Gate of the Minister), it actually predates Wang Ao’s tenure as a minister. It was originally built for Wang Ao’s ancestor, Wang Wenlin. In the sixth year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1441), Wang Wenlin donated 2,600 dan (a unit of volume) of grain to provide relief for disaster victims. In recognition, the imperial court appointed him as a Xuan Yilang (an official rank) and specially constructed this gatehouse for him, naming it the “Shang Yi Fang” (Pavilion of Righteousness) to commend his public-minded generosity and philanthropy.

Wang Ao (unknown–1566), courtesy name Zixuan, art name Yin Yan, was a native of Dayan (now Dayan Town), Lianshan County, Fenghua, during the Ming Dynasty. In 1523 (the second year of the Jiajing reign), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Works’ Department of Waterways in Nanjing. He later transferred to the Ministry of Justice, serving as an Assistant Secretary, then promoted to Secretary. He subsequently served as Prefect of Shaowu Prefecture in Fujian, where he handled cases swiftly and accurately. In 1558, he rose to the position of Vice Minister of War and Censorate Right Vice Commissioner, overseeing military affairs in Liangguang (Guangdong and Guangxi) and concurrently handling provincial governor responsibilities. He led troops to eliminate over 700 Japanese pirates who were harassing Jieyang, rescuing dozens of kidnapped men and women. Soon after, he repelled another group of pirates attacking Chaoyang. That winter, he suppressed uprisings by ethnic minorities in Changle and Xingning. The following year, he served as… More details about Wang Ao++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units