Historical East Asian Figures

This cluster features depictions of notable historical rulers from East Asia, showcasing traditional attire and artistic styles, emphasizing cultural heritage and significance.

Emperor Saga 786 842 52nd emperor of Japan from 809-823

Da Yu is best remembered for teaching the people techniques to tame rivers and lakes during an epic flood. The Xia era would also go down as the first dynasty in what would later become China with his son Qi following after his reign, the second of a total of 17 Xia emperors. Yu is one of the few Chinese rulers posthumously honored with the honorific 'the Great'.

Emperor Renzong (May 30, 1010 - April 30, 1063) was the fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. He reigned from 1022 to 1063. Renzong was the son of Emperor Zhenzong of Song. Despite his long reign of over 40 years, Renzong is not widely known. His reign marked the high point of Song influences and power but was also the beginning of its slow disintegration that would persist over the next century and a half.<br/><br> The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) and preceded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which conquered the Song in 1279. Its conventional division into the Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) periods marks the conquest of northern China by the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) in 1127. It also distinguishes the subsequent shift of the Song's capital city from Bianjing (modern Kaifeng) in the north to Lin'an (modern Hangzhou) in the south.

Emperor Saga 786 842 52nd emperor of Japan from 809-823

Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria (now Xinbin, Liaoning province), China. He was the fourteenth son of the Manchu leader Nurhaci. His mother was the Lady Abahai; Dodo and Ajige were his full brothers, and the Emperor Hong Taiji was his half-brother. Dorgon became one of the most powerful of the princes, and was instrumental in moving Manchu forces into Beijing in 1644. During Hong Taiji's reign he took part in many military campaigns, including conquests of the Mongols and of Korea. After Hong Taiji's death, Dorgon was involved in a power struggle with Hooge, eldest son of Hong Taiji, for the throne. In the end, they compromised, and Dorgon supported the dead emperor's ninth son, his nephew Fulin (Emperor Shunzhi), to ascend the throne. Dorgon was made regent because Shunzhi was only six at the time of his ascension, and thus he became the de facto ruler of the country (1643-1650) until Shunzhi's ascension.

Manduul Khan (Manduuluu, Manduyul or Manduyulun) (1438-1478), was the Mongol Khan of the Northern Yuan Dynasty in Mongolia, and he was the younger brother of Tayisung Khan, Emperor Taizong of Northern Yuan (Toghtoa Bukha or ToÎ³toÎ³a Buqa), but the two had different mothers.

Portrait of a Ranking Official's Wife, 19th century, 48 5/16 × 28 5/8 in. (122.7 × 72.7 cm) (image)62 1/2 × 31 in. (158.8 × 78.7 cm) (mount, with roller), Ink, colors and gold on paper, China, 19th century, This hanging scroll depicts a seated middle-aged woman in frontal view. She is wearing a blue robe with undergarments with gold dragons and a Mandarin square or insignia of gold with what appears to be a silver pheasant among the multicolored clouds. She is further adorned with beads of white, red, and jade which hang from the shoulders and gold earrings with white and red beads.

Emperor Lizong (1205-1264) was the 14th emperor of the Song Dynasty of China, and the fifth emperor of the Southern Song. His personal name was Zhao Yun. He reigned from 1224 to 1264. Lizong's long reign of forty years did little to improve the predicament Song China was in at the time. Lizong was uninterested in governmental affairs and for the first decade of his rule he delegated matters into the hands of his ministers notably Shi Miyuan who acted as a de facto ruler in the absence of the Lizong Emperor. After Shi's death in 1233, Lizong assumed full authority briefly but again quickly abandoned the responsibility of ruling and delegated matters to his prime minister Ding Da Quan in order to pursue personal enjoyment. It was said that Lizong frequented brothels as well as invited prostitutes into the palace which was vehemently opposed by his loyal ministers. Notable events during Lizong's reign included the demise of the Jin dynasty in 1234 that was obliterated by the joint forces

Peking opera or Beijing opera (剧; traditional Chinese: 劇; pinyin: Jīngjù) is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Major performance troupes are based in Beijing and Tianjin in the north, and Shanghai in the south. The art form is also preserved in Taiwan, where it is known as Guoju (國劇; pinyin: Guójù). It has also spread to other countries such as the United States and Japan.

Huizong was famed for his promotion of Taoism. He was also a skilled poet, painter, calligrapher, and musician. He sponsored numerous artists at his court, and the catalogue of his imperial painting collection lists over 6,000 known paintings.<br/><br> The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) and preceded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which conquered the Song in 1279. Its conventional division into the Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) periods marks the conquest of northern China by the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) in 1127. It also distinguishes the subsequent shift of the Song's capital city from Bianjing (modern Kaifeng) in the north to Lin'an (modern Hangzhou) in the south.

Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BCE), personal name Ying Zheng, was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 to 221 BCE

Portrait of Du Yan, from the set Five Old Men ofSuiyang

Peking opera or Beijing opera (; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Jingjù) is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty court and has come to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China. Major performance troupes are based in Beijing and Tianjin in the north, and Shanghai in the south. The art form is also preserved in Taiwan, where it is known as Guoju (; pinyin: Guójù). It has also spread to other countries such as the United States and Japan.

Oda Nobunaga (June 23, 1534 - June 21, 1582) was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the rule of the shogun in the late 16th century, a rule that ended only with the opening of Japan to the Western world in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His work was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holdings in Owari Province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a loyal Oda supporter, would eventually become the first man to conquer all of Japan and the first ruler of all Japan since the Ōnin War.

Painting representing (Genghis) Khan, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Karakorum, Mongolia, Asia

Empress Ma, consort of the 2nd Ming Emperor Jianwen (r. 1398-1402).

A Chinese deity. Painting by a Chinese artist, ca. 1850.

Buddha Amitabha descending from his Pure Land. Artist: Unidentified Artist , active 13th century. Culture: China. Dimensions: Image: 53 1/2 in. × 23 in. (135.9 × 58.4 cm)Overall with mounting: 95 3/4 × 31 3/4 in. (243.2 × 80.6 cm)Overall with knobs: 95 3/4 × 33 1/2 in. (243.2 × 85.1 cm). Date: 13th century.This painting, traditionally ascribed by Japanese scholars to a Song Buddhist painter named Zhang Sigong, represents the Buddha Amitabha (J.: Amida) welcoming souls into his Western Paradise. The drapery of the robe is drawn in the "scudding-cloud and running-water" style, a drapery pattern the Chinese used to recall the Indian origin of the Buddha image.Infrared reflectography has revealed the following traces of an inscription in the lower left corner: "Qingyuanfu, east of Washing Horse Bridge." Since the name of the city of Ningbo was changed from Mingzhou to Qingyuanfu in 1195 and to Qingyuanlu in 1277, the painting may be dated to between 1195 and 1277. Stylistically, this work

The philosophy of Confucius emphasises personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China during the Han Dynasty(206 BC - 220 AD). Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. It was introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as 'Confucius'. His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius, a collection of brief aphoristic fragments, which was compiled many years after his death.

Kulug Khan (August 4, 1281 - January 27, 1311), was an Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and is regarded as the seventh Khagan of the Mongols in Mongolia. Mongolian Information: Also styled Haisan Huleg Khan, the son of Darambal, the son of Chingem, hewas born in 1281, the white snake year. He was enthroned on the throne in 1308, the white pig year.

Lao-Tseu (Lao Tzu) Chinese philosopher and sage, father of Taoism. 6th century BC. British Museum.

Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi. 1536-1598 Ac. Upholder of The Japanese Reunification

Thailand / China: Chinese deity in a Yao mien fang painting, one of the Yao pantheon. The Yao nationality (its majority branch is known as Mien) is a government classification for various minorities in China. They form one of the 55 ethnic minority groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China, where they reside in the mountainous terrain of the southwest and south. They also form one of the 54 ethnic groups officially recognized by Vietnam. In the last census, they numbered 2,637,421 in China, and roughly 470,000 in Vietnam. In Thailand they number 40,000 and in Laos 20,000.

Samurai is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. By the end of the 12th century, samurai became almost entirely synonymous with bushi, and the word was closely associated with the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class. The samurai followed a set of rules that came to be known as Bushidō. While they numbered less than ten percent of Japan's population, samurai teachings can still be found today in both everyday life and in martial arts such as Kendō, meaning the way of the sword.

Tumen Jasagtu Khagan was a 16th century Emperor of Mongolia who reigned from 1558 to 1592. He was the successor of Darayisung Godeng Khan and had direct rule over the Chahar. It was during his rule that the Mongols conquered Daur and Evenks. Unlike his father, he succeeded in uniting the entire Mongols including Western Mongols without great bloodshed.

Portrait painting from 1360 showing the Chinese Muslim general Chang Yuchun of the Hui people. He was a follower of the Ming Dynasty's founder, Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor Hongwu, r. 1368-1398) , and contributed greatly to the founding of the dynasty. Chang was famous for his bravery and formidable prowess in battle, which earned him the nickname of 'Chang Ten Thousand', because he was said to be as effective as a force of 10,000 men.

The Shang Dynasty was according to traditional sources the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia Dynasty. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as 'China proper' in the Yellow River valley. According to the chronology based upon calculations by Liu Xin, the Shang ruled between 1766 BCE and 1122 BCE, but according to the chronology based upon the Bamboo Annals, they ruled between 1556 BCE and 1046 BCE. Tang's reign is considered a good one by the Chinese. He lowered taxes and the conscription period of soldiers. His influence spread to the Yellow River, and many outlying tribes.

Khatun (Persian; Turkish: Hatun) is a female title of nobility and equivalent to male 'khan' prominently used in the First Turkish Empire and in the subsequent Mongol Empire. It is equivalent to queen or empress. Kublai first married Tegulen but she died very early. Then he married Chabi Khatun of the Khunggirat. The Song imperial family surrendered to the Yuan in 1276, making the Mongols the first non-Chinese people to conquer all of China. Three years later, Yuan marines crushed the last of the Song loyalists. The Song Empress Dowager and her grandson, Zhao Xian, were then settled in Khanbalic where they were given tax-free property. Kublai's wife Chabi took a personal interest in their well-being.Chabi was Kublai's most beloved empress. After her death in 1286, Kublai married her young cousin, Nambui, in accordance with Chabi's wish.

Yesun Temur (November 28, 1293 - August 15, 1328) was a great-grandson of Kublai Khan and ruled as Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty from 1323 to 1328. He is regarded as the 10th Khagan of the Mongols in Mongolia. He was the emperor visited by the Franciscan monk Odoric, who left an excellent record of his travels. Yesun Temur Khan was born in 1276, the black snake year. He was the second son of Gamal, the son of Chingem. In1324, the black pig year, he assumed the throne and passed away in 1328, the yellow dragon year.

Joseon (Korean: 선; Hanja: 朝鮮; also Chosŏn, Choson, Chosun, Cho-sen), was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries, from July 1392 to October 1897. It was founded following the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo Dynasty in what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul. The kingdom's northernmost borders were expanded to the natural boundaries at the Amnok and Duman rivers through the subjugation of the Jurchens. Joseon was the last dynasty of Korean history and the longest-ruling Confucian dynasty. During its reign, Joseon consolidated its effective rule over the territory of current Korea, encouraged the entrenchment of Korean Confucian ideals and doctrines in Korean society, imported and adapted Chinese culture, and saw the height of classical Korean culture, trade, science, literature, and technology. However, the dynasty was severely weakened during the late 16

Yue Fei (March 24, 1103 - January 27, 1142) was a famous Chinese patriot and military general who fought for the Southern Song Dynasty against the Jurchen armies of the Jin Dynasty.Since his death, Yue Fei has evolved into the standard model of loyalty in Chinese culture.

Emperor Huaizong of Song (1271 - March 19, 1279 CE) was the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty of China. Born Zhao Bing to Emperor Duzong of Song, he was the younger brother of his predecessor, Emperor Duanzong of Song. According to the History of Song compiled under the Mongol Prime Minister Toktoghan, Emperor Huaizong is reported to have died at the Battle of Yamen on March 19, 1279. An official, Lu Xiufu who realized that all was lost, carried him and jumped into the sea in an act of defiance to the Mongol invaders near Mount Ya at the mouth of the West River in Guangdong.<br/><br> The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) and preceded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which conquered the Song in 1279. Its conventional division into the Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) periods marks the conquest of northern China by the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) in 1127. It also distinguis

Kublai (or Khubilai) Khan (pinyin: Hubulie, (September 23, 1215 - February 18, 1294) was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in East Asia. As the second son of Tolui and Sorghaghtani Beki and a grandson of Genghis Khan, he claimed the title of Khagan of the Ikh Mongol Uls (Mongol Empire). In 1271, Kublai established the Yuan Dynasty, which at that time ruled over present-day Mongolia, Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, North China, much of Western China, and some adjacent areas, and assumed the role of Emperor of China. By 1279, the Yuan forces had successfully annihilated the last resistance of the Southern Song Dynasty, and Kublai thus became the first non-Chinese Emperor who conquered all China. He was the only Mongol khan after 1260 to win new great conquests. Kublai, the youngest brother of Mongkhe Khan, was born in 1215, the blue pig year. He assumed the throne in 1260, the white monkey year. Kublai Khan transferred the political

Japan: Lady Oichi (1547 - 14 June 1583), wife of Azai Nagamasa and Shibata Katsuie. Hanging scroll painting, c. 1580s-1590s. Oichi or Oichi-no-kata, also known as Ichihime, Odani-no-kata and Hideko, was a female historical figure from the late Sengoku period. She is known mainly as the mother of three daughters who would become prominent for their connections - Yodo Dono, Ohatsu and Oeyo. Oichi was the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga. Oichi was equally renowned for her beauty and her resolve. She was descended from the Taira and Fujiwara clans.

Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566 - June 25, 635), born Li Yuan, courtesy name Shude, was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Emperor Gaozu's reign was concentrated on uniting the empire under the Tang. Aided by Li Shimin, whom he created Prince of Qin, he defeated all other contenders. By 628, the Tang Dynasty had succeeded in uniting all of China. On the home front, he recognized the early successes forged by Emperor Wen of Sui and strove to emulate most of Emperor Wen's policies, including the equal distribution of land amongst his people, and he also lowered taxes. He abandoned the harsh system of law established by Emperor Yang of Sui as well as reforming the judicial system. These acts of reform paved the way for the reign of Emperor Taizong, which ultimately pushed the Tang to the height of its power. Emperor Gaozu passed the throne to Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong) in 626 and became Taishang Huang (retired emperor). He died in

Thailand, Bangkok, Chinatown, Chinese Temple Doorway Decoration

Emperor Hongzhi, 10th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1487-1505). Personal Name: Zhu Youtang, Zhū Yòutáng. Posthumous Name: Jingdi, Jìngdì. Temple Name: Xiaozong, Xiàozōng. Reign Name: Ming Hongzhi, Ming Hóngzhì. The Hongzhi Emperor was 10th emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youtang, he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi Silver Age. His era name means 'Great Government'. He was a wise and peace-loving ruler. Hongzhi took only one empress and had no concubine. He remains the sole monogamous emperor in Chinese history.

The South Pole Emperor of Longevity is in charge of all spirits. In Daoist ritual, as well as the Three Pure Ones, the Four Heavenly Ministers are also worshipped. Each of the Four Heavenly Ministers has his own divine birthday: The Great Jade Emperor on the 9th of the first lunar month, the Middle Heaven Great Emperor of the North Pole Star of Purple Subtlety on the the 27th of the tenth month, the Great Heavenly Emperor of the Highest Palace of Polaris on the 2nd of the second month, and the Imperial Earth Goddess on the 18th of the third month. Many Daoists go to temples to burn incense on these days.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang (21 July 628-27 December 683), personal name Li Zhi, was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683 (although after January 665 much of the governance was in the hands of his second wife Empress Wu, later known as Wu Zetian. Emperor Gaozong was the son of Emperor Taizong and Empress Zhangsun. Emperor Gaozong was aided in his rule by Empress Wu during the later years of his reign after a series of strokes left him incapacitated. Emperor Gaozong delegated all matters of state to his wife and after he died in 683, power fell completely into the hands of Empress Wu, who subsequently became the only reigning Empress of China. After his death, he was interred at the Qianling Mausoleum along with Wu Zetian.

Japan: Akechi Mitsuhide (10 March 1528 - 2 July 1582), samurai and betrayer of Oda Nobunaga. Hanging scroll painting, c. 1613. Akechi Mitsuhide, nicknamed Jubei or called Koreto Hyuga no Kami from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan. Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's seppuku at Honno-ji. He attempted to establish himself as shogun, but was swiftly defeated by Nobunaga's successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi and killed by bandits while fleeing.

Emperor Hongwu, 1st ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1368-1398). Personal Name: Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuánzhang. Posthumous Name: Gaodi, Gaodì. Temple Name: Taizu, Tàizu. Reign Name: Ming Hongwu, Ming Hóngwu. The Hongwu Emperor was the founder and first emperor (1368-98) of the Ming Dynasty of China. His era name, Hongwu, means 'vastly martial'. In the middle of the 14th century, with famine, plagues and peasant revolts sweeping across China, Zhu became a leader of an army that conquered China, ending the Yuan Dynasty and forcing the Mongols to retreat to the Mongolian steppes. With his seizure of the Yuan capital (present-day Beijing), he claimed the Mandate of Heaven and established the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

Chae Jegong (濟恭, 채제공, 1720-1799) was a Chosun dynasty literati bureaucrat. He was of the Pyeonggang Chae Clan (平康菜氏, 평강채씨); his courtesy name (字, 자) was Baekgyu (伯規, 백규); his pen name (號, 호) was Beon’am (樊巖, 번암); and his posthumous name (諡, 시) was Munsuk (文肅, 문숙). He passed the regional civil examination (鄕試, 향시) at the age of 15, and held high government offices throughout his life.

The Yongzheng Emperor (13 December 1678 - 8 October 1735), was the fifth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the third Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1722 to 1735. A hard-working ruler, Yongzheng's main goal was to create an effective government at minimum expense. Like his father, the Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng used military force in order to preserve the dynasty's position. Suspected by historians to have usurped the throne, his reign was often called despotic, efficient, and vigorous. Although Yongzheng's reign was much shorter than the reigns of both his father, the Kangxi Emperor, and his son, the Qianlong Emperor, his sudden death was probably brought about by his workload. Yongzheng continued an era of continued peace and prosperity as he cracked down on corruption and waste, and reformed the financial administration.

Portrait of Jion Daishi (Guiji) 14th century Japan Guiji (632-682), a Chinese Buddhist monk of the Tang dynasty, transmitted the Hoss sect teachings to Japan (where he is known as Jion Daishi) and translated Buddhist scripture. He was the most accomplished of the disciples of Xuanzang (602-664), whose portrait is displayed in this exhibition. Portraits of venerated monks were hung in temples and connected followers to a heritage of rigorous thought and exemplary deeds. Religious genealogy reinforced the legitimacy of the institutions. The same ideology informed the arts in Japan. This scroll is an adaptation of a seated portrait used in the Jion-e memorial rites at Yakushiji temple in Nara. The archaic line style, derived from Tang dynasty conventions, enhances the intensity of the figure. The combination of monumentality and humanity is a classic expression of religious portraiture, in which conveying character is more important than achieving a physical likeness.. Portrait of Jion D

Japan: Sugawara no Michizane (845-903 CE), Japanese scholar, poet and politician during the Heian Period (794-1185). Kikuchi Yosai, mid-19th century

Korea: Tomb portrait of either King Micheon or King Gogugwon, or Minister Dong Shou, Koguryo, Anak Tomb 3, c. 371 CE.

Emperor Zhao of Han (94 BC - 74 BC) emperor of the Western Han dynasty from 87 to 74 BC. Emperor Zhao was the youngest son of Emperor Wu of Han. By the time he was born, Emperor Wu was already 62. Prince Fuling ascended the throne after the death of Emperor Wu in 87 BC. He was only eight years old. Huo Guang served as regent

Wu Yong, Japanese name Chicasei Goyo, robed and making a magic gesture with his right hand, standing by a celestial globe and quadrant. The Water Margin (known in Chinese as Shuihu Zhuan, sometimes abbreviated to Shuihu), known as Suikoden in Japanese, as well as Outlaws of the Marsh, Tale of the Marshes, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang in English, is a 14th century novel and one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty, tells of how a group of 108 outlaws gathered at Mount Liang (or Liangshan Marsh) to form a sizable army before they are eventually granted amnesty by the government and sent on campaigns to resist foreign invaders and suppress rebel forces. In 1827, Japanese publisher Kagaya Kichibei commissioned Utagawa Kuniyoshi to produce a series of woodblock prints illustrating the 108 heroes of the Suikoden. The 1827-1830 series,

Jeong Mong-ju (1338 - 1392), known by his pen name Poeun. Prominent Korean scholar-official and diplomat during the late Goryeo period. Jeong Mong-ju was born in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsang province to a family from the Yeonil Jeong clan.

China: The young Qianlong Emperor (25 September 1711 - 7 February 1799) during the first year of his reign. Hanging scroll painting by Giuseppe Castiglione (19 July 1688 - 17 July 1766), 1736. The Qianlong Emperor, birth name Hongli, was the fifth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 1736 to 1795. On 8 February (the first day of that lunar year), he abdicated in favor of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor.

Empress Xiao Gong Ren ( 1660-1723) was an Imperial Consort of the Kangxi Emperor and mother of the Yongzheng Emperor. Her father was Lieutenant-Colonel Wei-wu of the Uya clan, of the Manchu yellow banner corps. In 1678 Uya gave birth to the Kangxi Emperor's fourth surviving son Yin Zhen, the future Yongzheng Emperor. One year later she was granted the title of Imperial Concubine De, meaning 'virtuous'. In 1681 Uya gave birth to another son. In 1682 she was granted the title of Imperial Consort De. In the next five years, Uya gave birth to three daughters. Finally in 1688, she gave birth to her last son. When the Kangxi Emperor died in 1722, her son Yinzhen succeeded to the throne and, as the mother of the reigning emperor, she received the title the 'Empress Dowager Renshou'. In 1723, one year after the death of her husband the Empress Dowager Renshou died of illness. She was 64 years old and was interred in the Jing Ling Mausoleum. She was given the posthumous title of Empress Xiao Go

Huang Di or the Yellow Emperor, is a half-historical, half-legendary Chinese sovereign and cultural hero in Chinese history and mythology. He is said to be the ancestor of all Huaxia Chinese.Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697-2597 BCE. He is regarded as the founder of Chinese civilization. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade-Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE). There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the

Guyuk (or Kuyuk; 1206-1248) was the third Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. He was the eldest son of Ogedei Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, and reigned from 1246 to 1248. Guyuk, the eldest son of Ugedei,was born in 1206,the red tiger year. He was elevated to the throne in1246. One of his many important measures was the first registration of the Mongolian population. In the field of foreign policy he followed his father and continued to conquer many other countries. Guyuk Khan passed away in 1248, the yellow monkey year.

Empress Xiao Xian Chun, also known as Empress Xiao Xian, (28 March 1712 - 8 April 1748). Xiao Xian Chun was a daughter of Li Rongbao, and the elder sister of Fu Heng of the Manchu Fuca clan. She was the first Empress Consort of the Qianlong Emperor of China (1711 - 1799). Lady Fuca married Prince Hong Li (the future Qianlong Emperor) in the fifth reign year of the Yong Zheng Emperor in 1727 and was made Empress in 1736 with the title of Empress Xiao Xian. In 1728 she gave birth to the Qianlong Emperor's first daughter. Two years later, Fuca gave birth to the Emperor's second son and one year later another daughter. In 1746, she gave birth to the Emperor's seventh son. The Empress often joined the Emperor on his trips. In 1748, during one of these trips, the Empress fell ill on board a boat and died on it. She was only 36 years old. After Empress Xiao Xian Chun was interred in the Yuling Mausoleum, the Qianlong Emperor would often visit her grave.

Wu Zetian ( 624-705), personal name Wu Zhao, often referred to as Tian Hou during the Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant. As de facto ruler of China first through her husband and her sons from 665 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history, she then broke all precedents when she founded her own dynasty in 690, the Zhou (interrupting the Tang Dynasty), and ruled personally under the name Sacred and Divine Empress Regnant and variations thereof from 690 to 705. Her rise and reign has been criticized harshly by Confucian historians but has been viewed under a different light since 1949.

Laozi (Lao Tzu, c. 6th century BCE) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China. His association with the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (also spelled 'Daoism'). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or 'One of the Three Pure Ones'. Laozi translated literally from Chinese means 'old master' or 'old one', and is generally considered honorific. The philosophy of Confucius emphasises personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China during the Han Dynasty(206 BC 220 AD). Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. It was introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as 'Confucius'. His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius, a collection of brief aphoris

Japan: 'Chousama, Ainu Chieftain of Urayasubetsu', Kakizaki Hakyo (1764-1826), 1790

Yinsi, Prince Lian (29 March 1681 - 5 October 1726) was born to the Kangxi Emperor and Imperial Consort Liang of the Wei clan. As the Kangxi Emperor's eighth son, he was the Eighth Imperial Prince. After the Yongzheng Emperor's succession to the imperial throne in 1722, Yinsi was appointed one of his four chief advisors and was given the peerage title Prince Lian. However, having been a serious contender for the Crown Prince during the era of Kangxi, Yinsi soon found himself a subject of mistrust for the then recently crowned emperor. In 1726, he suffered the indignity of being expelled from the imperial household following a series of unjust accusations of incompetence made by the emperor himself. In the same year, he was ordered to rename himself Akina ('pig') when he fell from the emperor's grace. Yinsi died of illness in custody after being found guilty on 40 counts which allegedly endangered the ruling of the Qing Dynasty.

Painting of Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) a Chinese empress dowager and regent who effectively controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty for 47 years from 1861 until her death in 1908.

The Imperial Goddess of Earth is in charge of births, land, rivers, and mountains. In Daoist ritual, as well as the Three Pure Ones, the Four Heavenly Ministers are also worshipped. Each of the Four Heavenly Ministers has his own divine birthday: The Great Jade Emperor on the 9th of the first lunar month, the Middle Heaven Great Emperor of the North Pole Star of Purple Subtlety on the the 27th of the tenth month, the Great Heavenly Emperor of the Highest Palace of Polaris on the 2nd of the second month, and the Imperial Earth Goddess on the 18th of the third month. Many Daoists go to temples to burn incense on these days.

Wu Zetian (624-705), personal name Wu Zhao, often referred to as Tian Hou during the Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant. As de facto ruler of China first through her husband and her sons from 665 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history, she then broke all precedents when she founded her own dynasty in 690, the Zhou (interrupting the Tang Dynasty), and ruled personally under the name Sacred and Divine Empress Regnant and variations thereof from 690 to 705. Her rise and reign has been criticized harshly by Confucian historians but has been viewed under a different light since 1949.

Man, full-length, standing, facing left, wearing ornate hat

The Noble Consort Ying (1731 - 1800), was born during the ninth year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign. She was the daughter of banner Lieutenant General Nachin, and came from the Mongolian Barin clan. During the twenty-second year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, Lady Barin was elevated to an imperial consort, and finally, during the third year of the next emperor, Emperor Jiaqing's reign, Lady Barin was elevated to the Noble Consort Ying. She died on February 29, during the fifth year of the Jiaqing Emperor's reign, aged 70.

Holy Statue in Hung Shing or Tai Wong Temple, Ping Shan Heritage Trail, Hang Mei Tsuen, Yuen Long District, New Territories, Hong Kong, China, Asia

Emperor Wu of Jin (Chin Wu-ti), personal name Sima Yan (236 - May 17, 290) was a grandson of Sima Yi, a son of Sima Zhao, and the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty (265-420) after forcing the Cao Wei emperor Cao Huan to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after destroying Eastern Wu in 280 was the emperor of the unified Chinese empire. Emperor Wu was known for his extravagance and sensuality, especially after the unification of China; legends boasted of his incredible potency among ten thousand concubines. Yan Liben (Wade-Giles: Yen Li-pen, c. 600-673), formally Baron Wenzhen of Boling, was a Chinese painter and government official of the early Tang Dynasty. His notable works include the Thirteen Emperors Scroll and Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts. He also painted the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion, under Emperor Taizong of Tang, commissioned in 643 to commemorate 24 of the greatest contributors to Emperor Taizong's reign, as well as 18 portraits commemorating t

Yingzong's short reign is known for controversy over the correct rituals to be performed by the Emperor for his father. Yingzong had been adopted by Renzong and so in the ritual sense Renzong was Yingzong's father. In a more strictly biological sense, Zhao Yunrang was Yingzong's father. Some officials wished Zhao Yunrang to be given the title of 'Imperial Uncle', however Yingzong granted him the title 'Parent'.<br/><br> The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period (907-960) and preceded the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which conquered the Song in 1279. Its conventional division into the Northern Song (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) periods marks the conquest of northern China by the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) in 1127. It also distinguishes the subsequent shift of the Song's capital city from Bianjing (modern Kaifeng) in the north to Lin'an (modern Hangzhou) in the south.

Dodo was the fifteenth son of Nurhaci and one of Dorgon's two full brothers. He distinguished himself in the conquest of China alongside Dorgon. Dodo is also somewhat notorious due to his sanctioning of the Massacre of Yangzhou, a terrible bloodbath in which an alleged 800,000 men, women, and children were killed by Manchu soldiers. This massacre began when Dodo authorized his men to have five days to do anything they wished to the town of Yangzhou's inhabitants. Dodo was created Prince Yu of the First Rank in 1644. In 1646, he led a military campaign into Mongolia and emerged victorious. He was then made Co-regent by his brother Prince Regent Dorgon, in place of their older cousin, Jirgalang Prince Zheng. Dodo died of smallpox in 1649, aged 36. After the death of Dorgon, the Shunzhi Emperor posthumously stripped Dodo of his titles.

Japan: 'Ikotoi, Ainu Chieftain of Akkeshi', Kakizaki Hakyo (1764-1826), 1790

Emperor Sakuramachi (February 8, 1720 May 28, 1750) was the 115th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Sakuramachi's reign spanned the years from 1735 through 1747.

Tibetan fresco, Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, Indian Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, northern India, India, Asia

Chinese embroidery of boy bringing tea, China, Asia

Thailand, Bangkok, Wat Pho, Closeup Detail Of Handpainted Warrior On Temple Door

Su Shi was a writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist, and statesman of the Song Dynasty, and one of the major poets of the Song era. His courtesy name was Zizhan and his pseudonym was Dongpo Jushi. He is often referred to as Su Dongpo. Besides his renowned poetry, his other extant writings are of great value in the understanding of 11th century Chinese travel literature as well as details of the 11th century Chinese iron industry.

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade-Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE). There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.

Siberian lama. The Buryat grand lama of the Selenginsk lamasery, portrait carte de visite ca 1870-1880s

Confucio (551 aC-479 aC), filósofo chino cuya doctrina recibe el nombre de confucianismo. Grabado de 1900.

The teachings of the Chinese philosopher and teacher Confucius (551479 B.C.) became the basis of the moral system known as Confucianism.

Emperor Hongwu, 1st ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1368-1398). Personal Name: Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuánzhang. Posthumous Name: Gaodi, Gaodì. Temple Name: Taizu, Tàizu. Reign Name: Ming Hongwu, Ming Hóngwu. The Hongwu Emperor was the founder and first emperor (1368-98) of the Ming Dynasty of China. His era name, Hongwu, means 'vastly martial'. In the middle of the 14th century, with famine, plagues and peasant revolts sweeping across China, Zhu became a leader of an army that conquered China, ending the Yuan Dynasty and forcing the Mongols to retreat to the Mongolian steppes. With his seizure of the Yuan capital (present-day Beijing), he claimed the Mandate of Heaven and established the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

Chinese woodcut: Daoyin exercises, Brocade of the Dragon, 9

The Imperial Noble Consort Chun Hui came from the Manchu Sugiya clan. She was the daughter of Sujinam and was born in the fifty-second year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Lady Sugiya entered the imperial court during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor and became a concubine of the then Prince Hong Li (later the Qianlong Emperor). When in 1735 Prince Hong Li ascended the throne, Sugiya was given the title of Concubine Chun. Later, Lady Sugiya gave birth to two sons and a daughter. In 1760 Lady Sugiya was given the title of Imperial Noble Consort Chun (meaning purity). However, Lady Sugiya died half a year later in the twenty-fifth year of Qianlong Emperor's reign. She was given the posthumous title of Imperial Noble Consort Chun Hui and was later interred in the Yuling Mausoleum for consorts.

The Mongolian general and statesman Kublai Khan (also spelled Khubilai Khan) was the grandson of Genghis Khan.

Cangjie (Ts'ang-chieh) is a very important figure in ancient China (c. 2650 BC), held to be the official historian of the Yellow Emperor and the inventor of Chinese characters. Legend has it that he had four eyes and four pupils, and that when he invented the characters, the deities and ghosts cried and the sky rained millet. He is considered a legendary figure rather than a historical figure.

Kumarajiva, (Chinese: Jjiumoluoshi; 344 CE - 413 CE) was a Kuchean (Kucha, Kuqa) Buddhist monk, scholar, and translator. He first studied teachings of the Sarvastivada schools, later studied under Buddhasvamin, and finally became a Mahayana adherent, studying the Madhyamaka doctrine of Nagarjuna. He settled in Chang'an (modern Xi'an). He is mostly remembered for the prolific translation of Buddhist texts written in Sanskrit to Chinese he carried out during his later life.

Khutughtu Khan (December 22, 1300 - August 30, 1329), born Kusala, was a son of Khayishan who briefly ascended to the throne of the Yuan Dynasty in 1329, but died soon after he seized the throne of Khagan. Khutughtu, also known as Huslen Khan, the eldest son of Haisan Khan, was born in 1300, the white rat year. He was enthroned as Khan in 1329 and died the same year.

The Konbaung Dynasty was the last dynasty that ruled Burma (Myanmar), from 1752 to 1885. The dynasty created the second largest empire in Burmese history, and continued the administrative reforms begun by the Toungoo dynasty, laying the foundations of modern state of Burma. The reforms proved insufficient to stem the advance of the British, who defeated the Burmese in all three Anglo-Burmese wars over a six-decade span (1824-1885) and ended the millennium-old Burmese monarchy in 1885.

Puankhequa, also known as Pan Wenyan or Zhencheng, was a Chinese merchant and member of a cohong family, which traded with the Europeans in Canton

Heavenly messengers, colours on paper, Korea. Korean Civilisation, Joseon dynasty, 18th century.

Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, also known as Shahanshah or Akbar the Great (15421605), was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Humayun, and the grandson of Babur, the ruler who founded the Mughal dynasty in India. By the end of his reign in 1605, the Mughal empire covered most of the northern and central India and was one of the most powerful empires of its age.

Seon (Sŏn, ) is the Korean variant of Chán. Meaning 'meditation', the term is more widely known in the West in its Japanese variant Zen.

Accoording to Daoist beliefs; the entire manifested universe is ruled by three original forces; the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing). The Three Pure Ones were brought into existence through the interaction of yin and yang. They are respectively Yuqing; 'The Jade Purity'; Shangqing; 'The Supreme Purity'; and Taiqing; 'The Grand Purity'.

Lidj Yassou "petit Jesús" emperador de Etiopía de 1911 a 1916, hijo menor de Menelic II.

Portrait of Confucius (551-479 BC) a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese History.

The Five Emperors of the Cardinal Directions and the Centre are immortals of the Daoist pantheon. In traditional Chinese culture, qi (also chi or ch'i) is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as 'energy flow', and is often compared to Western notions of energeia or vitalism, as well as the yogic notion of prana and pranayama.

Chinese man with his funeral dress

A man or deity. Watercolour attributed to a Chinese painter.

Ohatsu or Ohatsu-no-kata (1570-September 30, 1633) was a prominently placed figure in the late Sengoku period. In 1587 she married Kyōgoku Takatsugu, a daimyo in Omi province, holding Ōtsu castle for the Toyotomi clan. After her husband's death in 1609, Ohatsu remained active in the political intrigues of her day. Ohatsu's close family ties to both the Toyotomi clan and the Tokugawa clan uniquely positioned her to serve as a conduit between the rivals. She acted as a liaison until 1615, when the Tokugawa eliminated the Toyotomi.

Empress Dowager Xiaohe, consort of the 15th Ming Emperor Taichang (r. 1620), mother of 16th Ming Emperor Tianqi (r. 1620-1627).

Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva with a thousand arms and thousand eyes, 981, painting on silk, China. Detail. Chinese Civilisation, 6th year of the Taiping Xingguo Period, 10th century.

Emperor jin (the 15th Emperor of Japan); reigned from 270 to 310

'The Door-God - Civil', 1922. Menshen are divine guardians of doors and gates in Chinese folk religions, used to protect against evil or encourage the entrance of positive energies at thresholds. From "Myths and Legends of China", by E. T. C. Werner. George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London, Calcutta, Sydney, 1922

South Korea, Seoul, King Sejong statue,

of 2