Zhang Minggang Shangshu Stone Memorial Archway

Zhang Minggang Shangshu Stone Memorial Archway

The Zhang Minggang Shangshu Stone Memorial Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The Zhang Minggang Shangshu Stone Memorial Archway is located at the northeastern intersection of Zhentang Village, Yaotou Township, Wan'an County. It is constructed from red rice stone in the form of a gate tower, with 44E3 levels, standing 5 meters high and 4 meters wide, with a drum stone standing on each side. The upper two levels of the archway feature relief carvings on both sides. The front lintel bears an inscribed stone plaque with the engraved characters “Yi Shi En Lun” (meaning “Generations of Imperial Grace”) on the front, on the right is inscribed “Qin Chaixunfu, Jiangxi Zuo Fu Du Yushi Xia Liang Xun’an Jiangxi Jiancha Yushi Wu Dake Ke,” and on the left is inscribed “Wanli Jiashen Enfeoffed Wenlinlang, Prefect of Yicheng County, Xiangyang Prefecture, Huguang, Wang Yin; Posthumously Honored as Zhongxian Dafu, Left Shaqing of the Dali Temple, Zhang Shangxian, Established; Wanli Guimao Autumn, Ninth Month, Auspicious Day.” On the rear lintel is engraved “Liangjing Shangqing” (meaning “High Minister of the Two Capitals”), on the right is inscribed “Qin Chaixunfu Jiangxi Zuo Fu Du Yushi Xia Liang Xun’an Jiangxi Jiancha Yushi Wu Dake Ke,” and on the left is inscribed “Nanjing Taichangsi Qing Zhang Minggang Established, Wanli Guimao Autumn, Ninth Month, Auspicious Dawn.” Below is engraved “Wanli Guimao Jinshi, Taizi Shaobao, Minister of Justice, Former Governor of Liangguang Military Affairs and Supervisor of Grain Supply, Vice Minister of War, and concurrently Right Fu Du Yushi of the Duduchayuan, Zhang Minggang.”

The archway was erected in honor of Zhang Minggang, Minister of Justice of the Nanjing Ministry of Punishments during the Ming Dynasty, and his father Zhang Shangxian. It was built in the 31st year of the Wanli reign (1603) and, after nearly 400 years, the relief carvings have suffered severe damage.

It was listed as a county-level cultural relic protection unit in 1985.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units