Former Residence of Hu Jurén

Former Residence of Hu Jurén

The former residence of Hu Jurén is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Hu Jurén is located in Gutang Village, Shegeng Township, where the majority of residents share the surname Hu. Covering an area of 262 square meters, the house features architectural elements and decorations characteristic of the Hui-style style. The imposing gate tower is adorned with four carved stone characters reading “Shuxin Yirun” (meaning “refined heart leaves enduring grace”). With an estimated history of 400–500 years, the residence presents a solemn high-walled exterior, with well-arranged wall lines, stone carvings on the porch pillars, wood carvings on the window frames, all featuring clear and delicate patterns. There are two “sky wells” with the traditional “four waters converging to the hall” layout, one in front of the hall and one inside. The original property was much larger, and the current surviving structure is only part of it. In front of the house, there used to be a flagstone pillar, which no longer exists.

Hu Jurén (1434 – April 7, 1484), courtesy name Shuxin, art name Jingzhai, was a native of Meigang, Yugan County (now part of Jiangxi Province). He was a Neo-Confucian scholar during the Ming Dynasty. Born in the ninth year of the Xuande era (1434) during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, he passed away on the twelfth day of the third month in the twentieth year of the Chenghua era (April 7, 1484), at the age of fifty. As a child, he was exceptionally intelligent and was regarded as a “child prodigy.” In his youth, Hu Jurén studied the Spring and Autumn Annals under Master Ganhuai of Anren, mastering a thousand words a day. He had wide-ranging interests and read extensively, covering such works as the Zuo Zhuan, Gongyang Zhuan, the writings of various schools of thought, the Songs of Chu, Han fu poetry, Tang poetry, and Song ci poetry, among others. In adulthood, … More details about Hu Jurén ++