Former Residence and Tomb of Wang Fuzhi

Former Residence and Tomb of Wang Fuzhi

The Former Residence and Tomb of Wang Fuzhi is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Former Residence and Tomb of Wang Fuzhi

Dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Located in Quilan Township, Hengyang County, Hunan Province, this site serves as a memorial to Wang Fuzhi, a prominent thinker of the early Qing period.

The residence was Wang Fuzhi’s own self-purchased retreat after leaving Baiyelu and Guanshengju, and he named it “Xiangxi Thatched Cottage.” Construction began in the 14th year of the Kangxi reign (1675), initially consisting of three thatched cottages: the central room served as the main hall, the left as living quarters, and the right as a study. Wang Fuzhi lived here for 17 years, devoting himself to writing. After his death, his son Wang Yu rebuilt the structure into a tile-roofed house with brick and wood structure. Later, the cottage and surrounding land were mortgaged out, until they were redeemed by his descendants in the 60th year of the Qianlong reign (1795). During the Jiaqing era (1813–1815), it was converted into the “Chuanshan Shrine.” It was later inhabited by farmers until 1981, when it was reclaimed by the government, fully renovated, and restored with replicated plaques and couplets for display and public visits.

The residence covers an area of 150 square meters, consisting of three horizontally arranged thatched rooms. The door plaque reads “Xiangxi Thatched Cottage,” and the door couplet says: “The refreshing breeze means well but cannot keep me; the bright moon has no intention yet naturally illuminates people.” Inside the hall hangs a couplet composed by Wang Fuzhi himself: “The Six Classics task me with breaking new ground; my seven-foot frame from heaven begs to be buried alive.” Two stone tablets stand in the corridor, one inscribed with a Qing-era notice from the Hengyongchen Gui Dao protecting the cottage, and the other with a post-establishment-of-the-People’s-Republic notice from the Hengyang County People’s Government safeguarding the site. On Daluo Mountain lies the tomb of Wang Fuzhi.

Wang Fuzhi (1618–1692), courtesy name Ernong, art name Jiangzhai, was a native of Hengyang. He was a renowned thinker and scholar of the early Qing Dynasty. A successful candidate in the imperial examinations of the Ming Dynasty, after the fall of the Ming and the southward advance of Qing forces, he raised troops in resistance in Hengshan but was defeated. He later served briefly in the Nanming Dynastic Court before retreating to Shichuanshan, where he spent nearly 40 years in seclusion writing books. He died at the age of 74. His collected works, Chuanshan Yishu, comprise over 320 volumes. He conducted research in astronomy, geography, calendrics, and mathematics, but excelled particularly in philosophy, economics, history, and was also skilled in poetry, prose, lyrics, and opera.

The residence and tomb were designated as Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units on July 24, 1956, by the People’s Government of Hunan Province. The Former Residence of Wang Fuzhi (Chuanshan Shrine) was listed as No. 36, and the Tomb of Wang Fuzhi as No. 35.

Source: Overview of Cultural Relics in Hunan

Wang Fuzhi (October 7, 1619 – February 18, 1692), courtesy name Ernong, also known by the art names Jiangzhai and Xitang, was a native of Hengyang County, Hengzhou Prefecture, Huguang (modern-day Hengyang, Hunan). He is regarded as one of the Three Great Thinkers of the Ming-Qing transition period, alongside Gu Yanwu and Huang Zongxi. His notable works include Zhouyi Waizhuan (Outer Commentary on the Book of Changes), Huangshu (The Yellow Book), Shangshu Yin Yi (Meaning of the Book of Documents), Yongli Shilu (Veritable Records of the Yongli Era), Chunqiu Shilun (On the World Order of the Spring and Autumn Period), E’meng (Nightmare), Du Tongjian Lun (On Reading the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government), and Songlun (On the Song Dynasty).

From childhood, Wang Fuzhi studied under the guidance of his father and elder brother. In his youth, he actively participated in anti-Qing uprisings. In his later years, he lived in seclusion at Shichuanshan, dedicating himself to writing... More detailed information about Wang Fuzhi++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units