Tian Yi

Tian Yi (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Tián , 1534 - 1605) was a eunuch serving at the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty. He served under the Jiajing, the Longqing, and the Wanli emperors for a total of 63 years[1] and eventually rose to a high position in the court, overseeing the Directorate of Ceremonies ("Master of the Seal in charge of rituals[2] ) which ranked first among the twelve eunuch directorates.[3] By the time of this death, he had become the favorite eunuch of the Wanli emperor.[4]

Tian Yi
Born1534
Shaanxi Province
Died1605 (aged 72)
Beijing
NationalityMing Empire
OccupationImperial court eunuch
Known forrespected for his character and ethics

Tian Yi was born in Shaanxi Province[3] and was castrated at age 9.[1] He entered the imperial court immediately afterwards.[1] When he died in 1605, the Wanli Emperor ordered three days of mourning[1][4] and the construction of a tomb with many features of an imperial mausoleum to commemorate him.[1][4]

Tomb

Tian Yi's tomb (Chinese: ; pinyin: Tián ) has a traditional layout in which a spirit way serves as a central axis and a division between a front portion used by visitors to pay their respects and a closed off back portion.[3] Four eunuchs, who lived at the tomb as monks during the Qing dynasty are buried next to Tian Yi.[3]

The tomb is particularly rich in stone carvings.[1][3] The masonry artworks include three gates (front gate, Lingxing gate, and the graveyard gate), sculptures that line the spirit way, steles, ceremonial vessels, and stone altars for sacrifices.[3] The names of 259 eunuchs who participated in his funeral are also inscribed at the tomb.[1]

The tomb was looted during the period of the Republic of China.[4] Today, it houses the Eunuch Museum, the address is 80 Moshikou Street, Shijingshan district, Beijing.

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References

  1. King, Mary (2009-12-02). "The World's Only Eunuch Museum". Beginner's Beijing. CRIENGLISH.com. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  2. Liu, Eleanor (March 26, 2011). The Red Thread. Xlibris Corporation. p. 353. ISBN 978-1-45687-585-5.
  3. "Ming Tombs - Eunuch Tian Yi". Orion South Ltd. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  4. Moore, Malcolm (18 October 2012). "Away from the desk: the world's only eunuch museum". Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
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