Ji Kang

Spiritual leader of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, killed for rejecting the Sima clan; he played "Guangling San" before his execution.

Life

Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove

Ji Kang, son-in-law to the Cao Wei imperial house, was brilliantly talented and versed in music, literature and Xuanxue (Neo-Daoist metaphysics). He often gathered with Ruan Ji, Shan Tao and others in a bamboo grove at Shanyang, and they were called the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove."

Broke with Shan Tao

After the Sima clan seized power, he refused to take office. When his close friend Shan Tao recommended him for a post, he wrote "Letter Breaking Off Relations with Shan Juyuan," making clear that he would not cooperate with the Sima clan.

Guangling San lost forever

Because he spoke in defense of his friend Lü An, Zhong Hui slandered him, and he was executed by Sima Zhao on a charge of "unfilial conduct." Before the execution, 3,000 students of the Imperial Academy petitioned to have him as their teacher, but were refused. He calmly played "Guangling San" and sighed, "Guangling San ends with me today."

Legacy

Ji Kang's unbending character made him a symbol of the Wei-Jin demeanor, and his death is seen as epitomizing the fate of scholars under political repression.

Major works & achievements

• "Letter Breaking Off Relations with Shan Juyuan"
• "On Music Having No Sorrow or Joy"

Did you know? He liked to work as a blacksmith under a large tree, and when Zhong Hui came to call, he paid him no attention at all.

Key dates

• 249Gatherings in the Bamboo Grove
• 261Wrote Letter Breaking Off Relations with Shan Juyuan
• 263Executed by Sima Zhao