Tomb of Xin Qiji

Tomb of Xin Qiji

The Tomb of Xin Qiji is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The Tomb of Xin Qiji is located in Yanshan County and dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty. It is situated on the mountainside of Yangyuan Mountain at Hutoumen in Guashan, Yanshan County, facing south. Established during the Shaoding era (1228–1233), a golden stele inscribed with “Sacred Path of Master Jiaxuan” once stood beside the post road nearby.

The original stele was destroyed and the tomb fell into disrepair. During the Qing Dynasty, descendants of Xin Qiji erected a new stele in front of the tomb. Today, it is also weathered and faded, with blurry inscriptions. The top line of the inscription reads: “Reconstructed in the third month of the Gui Mao year during the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing.” The middle line reads: “Tomb of the Late Father, Magistrate Jiaxuan.” The bottom line reads: “Erected by the 25th-generation great-great-grandson... Xialinghu... Dongshan Guran Anbei...” According to research, this stele was erected by descendants of Xin Qiji’s second son, Xin Gui. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the tomb was designated as a provincial key cultural relic protection site in 1959. It underwent renovations in 1971 and 1981. The tomb is built with bluestone in four layers, topped with yellow earth, and enclosed by tomb railings. It stands 2.5 meters high, with a diameter of 2.5 meters, covering an area of 51.5 square meters. In front of the tomb is a couplet inscribed by Guo Moruo: “With iron plates and copper lutes, he continued Su Dongpo’s grand singing of the great river flowing east; With ‘Beautiful Celery’ and ‘Sorrow for Millet,’ he hoped the Southern Song would not flee southward like wild geese.”

The Tomb of Xin Qiji has been listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Xin Qiji (May 28, 1140 – October 3, 1207), courtesy name You’an, art name Jiaxuan, was a renowned general and poet of the Southern Song Dynasty. A representative figure of the bold and unconstrained ci poetry style, he is often mentioned alongside Su Shi as “Su-Xin,” and paired with Li Qingzhao as the “Two An’s of Jinan.” His notable works include “Water Dragon Chant – Ascending the Jiankang Pleasure Pavilion” and “Joy of Eternal Union – Remembering the Ancient Northern Fort at Jingkou.” At just 21 years old, Xin Qiji gathered 2,000 volunteers to rise against the Jin invaders. Later, his official career was fraught with setbacks, and he eventually retired to Shangrao. In 1207, Xin Qiji passed away at the age of 68. He was posthumously granted the title of Junior Preceptor and awarded the posthumous name Zhongmin. More details about Xin Qiji++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units