Taishi Archway

　　The Taishi Archway is situated in Longmei Village, Leiming Town, Ding’an County, Hainan Province. It was constructed in the first lunar month of the second year of the Wanli era (1574) and was erected as a memorial to the imperial historian Wang Honghui by Yin Zhengmao, Vice Minister of War, and Zhang Shouyue, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Guangdong. Hence the name “Taishi” (Imperial Historian) Archway. The archway stands 5.1 meters tall and is three bays wide. The central bay (excluding the pillars) is 2.84 meters wide, while the side bays (excluding the pillars) are 1.3 meters wide.

　　The plaque stone of the central bay is 80 cm wide and 3.1 meters long. Between the top cover and the plaque stone is a vertical stone slab inscribed with the two characters “Enrong” (Imperial Favor). On the front of the plaque stone, the horizontally inscribed regular script characters “Taishi Archway” are carved in intaglio. To the right are vertically inscribed small regular script characters: “Yin Zhengmao, Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of Grain Supply in Fujian and Guangdong, and Surveillance Commissioner of Guangdong Zhang Shouyue.” To the left are vertically inscribed small regular script characters: “Wang Honghui, Jinshi (Imperial Examination Graduate) ranked 20th in the 24th Year of Jiajing (1545), Editor of the Hanlin Academy, Literary Gentleman—Imperial Historian, established this in the first winter month of the 2nd Year of Wanli (1574).” The back of the plaque is inscribed with horizontally arranged regular script characters “Jiewu Archway” (Archway of Release), and to the left in small regular script: “Wang Honghui, First Place in the Guangdong Provincial Examination of the Xinyou Year during the Jiajing Era.” The large pillars on the central bay face each other with a couplet in regular script: “Stone pillars reach the sky, flourishing in southern splendor; jade terraces pierce the stars, resonating with the Three Terraces of the North Pole,” traditionally attributed to the famous Ming Dynasty calligrapher Dong Qichang (who was a student of Wang Honghui).

　　This Ming Dynasty memorial archway features an architectural design that is both primitive and majestic. It also takes into account Hainan’s frequent typhoons by installing diagonal wind-resistant pillars at the front and rear, making the structure not only sturdy but also elegant in appearance.

　　Wang Honghui, also known as An Shaochuan, styled Zhongming, was a native of Longmei Village, Leiming Town, Ding’an County. He was born in the 11th year of the Jiajing era (1514) and passed away in the 45th year of the Wanli era (1617) at the age of 76. After his death, the imperial court dispatched Dai Xi, then the Deputy Education Commissioner of Hainan, to preside over his funeral. His tomb is located near Jiusu Market in Fuwen Town, Ding’an County.

　　In the 40th year of the Jiajing era (1561), Wang Honghui passed the provincial examination as the top scholar (Jieyuan) of the Xinyou Year at the age of 20. Four years later, he passed the metropolitan examination (Jinshi) of the Yichou Year and was selected as a Hanlin Bachelor. He subsequently served as Hanlin Reviewer, Compiler, Metropolitan Examination Co-examiner, Sacrificial Official of the Nanjing Imperial College, and Minister of Rites of Nanjing, among other positions. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Minor Tutor to the Crown Prince.

　　In the 45th year of the Wanli era (1617), Wang Honghui passed away in his hometown of Ding’an. The local people spread the news widely. “Scholars and commoners mourned him, and the markets were closed in tribute.” This illustrates the deep sorrow felt by the townspeople.

　　Wang Honghui was a prolific writer and achieved notable success in literature, establishing his own distinctive style. His works include Shangyou Hall Manuscripts, Travels in Wu and Yue, Tianchi Grass, Record of the Crane Pavilion, Memorials on Southern Rites, Records of the Mysterious Land of the South Sea, Discussions on Literature, and Biographies of Eminent Officials of the Current Dynasty. His major literary works are characterized as “subtle yet profound,” “broad yet expressive,” and “created with purpose.” His poetry features fresh style, concise wording, genuine emotion, clear themes, strict metrical patterns, and meticulously chosen language. When recited, the verses resonate with clear rhythm. However, due to the limitations of Hainan’s historical context, some of his works inevitably include superficial social obligations or contain elements of superstitious content.

　　Wang Honghui (1541~1617)　　Wang Honghui, styled Shaochuan and known by his literary name Zhongming, was a native of Ding’an County, Qiongzhou Prefecture (now Hainan Province). He was born in 1541 AD and died in his hometown of Ding’an in 1617 AD at the age of 76. After his passing, the imperial court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Minor Tutor to the Crown Prince and granted him an official funeral. Wang Honghui was a renowned statesman and educator of the Ming Dynasty. He held various posts including Hanlin Bachelor, Reviewer, Compiler, Metropolitan Examination Co-examiner, Sacrificial Official of the Imperial College, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing, and Minister of Rites in Nanjing. He achieved great distinction in literature and authored masterpieces such as Shangyou Hall Manuscripts, Travels in Wu and Yue, Tianchi Grass, Collection of the Crane Pavilion, Records of the Mysterious Land of the South Sea, Memorials on Southern Rites, and Essays on Writing. Throughout his life, he served as an upright and... Details+