Lü Bu (吕布, died 199 CE) is known as an almost unchallenged fighter in the period of the Three Kingdoms (三国, 220 – 280 CE) in Chinese history. The scene on the vase depicts a crucial moment when Lü Bu’s …
Continue reading “Lü Bu’s Archery Stunt at the Camp Gate”
Xiahou Dun (夏侯惇, died 13 June 220) was one of Cao Cao’s (曹操, 155 – 220) most valued generals in the late Eastern Han dynasty (东汉, 25–220) of China. Xiahou showed his strong temperament even when he was in his …
Continue reading “Xiahou Dun Yanking an Arrow that Pierced His Eyeball”
Xiahou Dun, a heroic soldier in ancient China, was famous for his one-eyed appearance. Let’s appreciate how Dr Yibin Ni analyses the artistic presentation of this character on Chinese antique porcelain, woodblock print and other art forms, in association with comparable figures in Western culture.
When the old duke of Jin (晋) passed away, his heir was still in the cradle. It was with the powerful minister Zhao Dun (赵盾)’s support that he succeeded in ascending the throne. Unfortunately, the young duke, who was posthumously …
Continue reading “Duke Ling of Jin Sending His Dog to Attack Zhao Dun”
The young duke of the State of Jin (晋) who was posthumously given the title Duke Ling of Jin, Jìn Líng Gōng (晋灵公, ? – 607 BCE), has been known as a ‘ruler who does not deserve his title (bu …
Continue reading “Duke Ling of Jin shooting pedestrians with pellets”
When the Baron of the Zhou vassal state (周西伯) did a divination with oracle bones for his imminent hunting trip, the message came: ‘You will not catch a small bear or a large bear, but a teacher will be presented …
Continue reading “Jiang Ziya Was Discovered Angling by Baron of Zhou by the Wei River”
This is a story of a righteous woman. As the army of the state of Qi (齐国) launched an invasion against the state of Lu (鲁国), soldiers approaching a Lu suburb saw a woman struggling along the road with two …
Continue reading “The ‘Righteous Aunt’ of Lu”
In the 14th-century historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義), the generals in the Dongwu (东吴) kingdom conspired to murder Liu Bei (刘备), head of the Shu Han (蜀汉) kingdom, by inviting him to their territory with the promise …
Continue reading “Liu Bei and Sun Quan chopping stone”
Do you wonder why two warriors are waving swords over a rock that looks like a cross bun? Let Dr Yibin Ni demystify this enigmatic scene for you, which illustrates the old Chinese saying ‘bedfellows dream different dreams’!
