Li Xiangjun | |
|---|---|
 Painting of Li Xiangjun 1817 | |
| Native name | 李香君 |
| Born | 1624 Suzhou, Jiangsu, Ming Dynasty |
| Died | 1654 (aged 29–30) Qing Dynasty |
| Pen name | Li Xiang 李香 |
| Occupation | Yiji, poet, musician |
| Language | Chinese |
| Partner | Hou Fangyu 侯方域 |
| Relatives | Li Zhenli 李貞麗 (adopted mother) |
Li Xiangjun (Chinese: 李香君; 1624–1654) was a Yiji, singer, and musician during the Ming dynasty. Her life was dramatised in the play The Peach Blossom Fan.
Li is referred to as Li Ji (Chinese: 李姬) or Li Xiang (Chinese: 李香) in contemporary sources. To demonstrate respect for her, later scholars appended the character jun (Chinese: 君) to her name.[1] Her courtesy name was Shanzhui (Chinese: 扇坠).
No written records from the time Li lived record where she was born, but popular modern theories suggest that she was the daughter of an official, who was demoted and his family either killed or sold.[2] Li was adopted by the owner of a gelou in Nanjing called Meixiang House (Chinese: 媚香樓), whose surname she took. She was taught to dance, sing, paint, play music, and write poetry. Meixiang House was a favoured gelou of the literati and officials, with Li's adopted mother known for her generosity and chivalry.[3] By age 13, Li was renowned for her singing and playing the pipa that her mistress charged 20 gold taels per guest to see her.[4]
Li met Hou Fangyu at Meixiang House in 1648. Hou sent her poems and Li performed for him in return.[5] When Hou left to sit the imperial examinations (which he failed), Li waited for him and refused to perform for the inspector general of Huaiyang County.[5] Li's romance with Hou Fangyu has been called one of the greatest romances of Chinese history.[6]
She is one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai (Chinese: 秦淮八艳) described by late Qing officials. The other famed Yijis of this group are Ma Xianglan, Bian Yujing (卞玉京), Dong Xiaowan, Liu Rushi, Gu Mei, Kou Baimen (寇白門), and Chen Yuanyuan.[7]
The residence of Li Xiangjun (Chinese: 李香君故居) is open to the public as part of Nanjing's literary cultural heritage.[8] It is located in Nanjing, in the vicinity of Fuzimiao on the Qinhuai River.[9]
