Asia 305 People

Wang Anshi

(1021-1086 CE) Song Dynasty reformer who sought to strengthen the state with his "New Policies." Advocated for state intervention in the economy and social reforms. His reforms were controversial and met with resistance from conservatives.

Qin Hui

(1090-1155 CE) Song Dynasty official who arranged the execution of Yue Fei. Known for his role in seeking peace with the Jurchens. Considered a traitor in Chinese history for betraying Yue Fei.

Yue Fei

(1103-1142 CE) Song Dynasty general celebrated for his loyalty and military prowess. Fought against the Jurchen invaders during the Jin-Song Wars. Betrayed and executed by court official Qin Hui, later becoming a national hero.

Zhu Xi

(1130-1200 CE) Neo-Confucian scholar during the Song Dynasty. Systematized Confucian teachings and promoted the "Four Books" as the core of Confucian education. His work shaped Confucian thought for centuries, particularly in East Asia.

Oda Nobunaga

(1534-1582 CE) Japanese warlord and the first of Japan's "Three Unifiers." Began the unification of Japan during the Sengoku period. Known for his ruthless military tactics and ambition, paving the way for later unifiers.

Hideyoshi

(1537-1598 CE) Second unifier of Japan, succeeding Oda Nobunaga. Consolidated power through diplomacy and military campaigns. Launched unsuccessful invasions of Korea and solidified social and economic reforms in Japan.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

(1543-1616 CE) Third and final unifier of Japan. Established the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1600 to 1868. His policies of isolation and strict social order created lasting peace in Japan for over 250 years.

Wei Zhongxian

(1568-1627) Infamous Ming Dynasty eunuch who wielded significant power under Emperor Wanli. Known for corruption and persecution of Confucian scholars. His influence symbolized the decline of the Ming Dynasty's court politics.

Chongzhen Emperor

(1611-1644) Last emperor of the Ming Dynasty. His reign saw the collapse of the dynasty due to internal corruption, rebellion, and foreign invasion. Committed suicide as Beijing fell to rebel forces, marking the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Wu Sangui

(1612-1678) Ming Dynasty general who opened the gates of the Great Wall to the Manchus, aiding in the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Played a key role in the Manchu conquest of China and the establishment of the Qing Dynasty. His legacy is mixed, seen Ming Dynasty general initially tasked with defending the Great Wall against the Manchu invaders. Famously betrayed the Ming by opening the gates of the Great Wall to the Manchus, allowing them to enter and eventually conquer Beijing, thus establishing the Qing Dynasty. Later turned against the Qing and led the Revolt of the Three Feudatories (1673-1681), a failed rebellion that sought to challenge Qing authority, dying in disgrace.

Qianlong Emperor

(1711-1799) Qing Dynasty emperor who presided over a period of territorial expansion and cultural prosperity. His reign marked the height of Qing power, though it also began to see decline. Known for his interactions with Western diplomats like Lord Macartney.

Tao Yuanming

(365-427 CE) Chinese poet during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Known for his pastoral themes and for valuing simplicity and seclusion from political life. His work "Peach Blossom Spring" symbolizes an idealized utopia, escaping worldly chaos.

Zhuangzi

(369-286 BCE) Daoist philosopher who expanded upon Laozi's ideas. His work, Zhuangzi, uses anecdotes and paradoxes to explore Daoist themes of spontaneity and freedom. Famous for the "Butterfly Dream" allegory, which questions the nature of reality.

Shang Yang

(390-338 BCE) Legalist scholar and reformer during the Warring States period in Qin. Implemented reforms that centralized state power and emphasized rule of law. Key figure in the eventual unification of China under the Qin Dynasty.

Confucius (Kong Fuzi)

(551-479 BCE) Chinese philosopher during the Eastern Zhou period. Emphasized morality, social relationships, and education. Founder of Confucianism, deeply influential on Chinese governance and culture.

Emperor Gaozu

(566-635 CE) Founder of the Tang Dynasty in 618 CE. Reunified China after the fall of the Sui Dynasty. Established a strong, centralized government, setting the stage for Tang prosperity.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)

(6th century BCE) Founder of Buddhism, originally from present-day Nepal/India. Taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to enlightenment. His teachings spread across Asia, influencing spiritual, social, and philosophical traditions.

Laozi

(6th century BCE) Legendary Chinese philosopher and founder of Daoism. Author of the Tao Te Ching, advocating for simplicity, non-action, and harmony with nature. Influential in Chinese philosophy and spiritual thought.

Li Bai

(701-762 CE) Famous Tang Dynasty poet known for his free-spirited style. His poems often celebrate nature, wine, and personal freedom. Regarded as one of China's greatest poets.

Du Fu

(712-770 CE) Tang Dynasty poet, often called the "Poet-Historian." Known for his more serious and reflective poems, focusing on social issues and war. His work contrasts with Li Bai's in tone and subject matter.

Emperor Taizong

(Tang Dynasty) (598-649 CE) Second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Expanded the empire and strengthened its economy and military. Known for his effective governance and cultural flourishing during his reign.

Emperor Xuanzong

(Tang Dynasty) (685-762 CE) Seventh emperor of the Tang Dynasty, known for fostering a cultural golden age. His reign saw the peak of Tang cultural and economic power. Later marred by the An Lushan Rebellion, which weakened the empire.

Empress Wu Zetian

(Wu Zhou Dynasty) (624-705 CE) Only female emperor in Chinese history, ruling during the Tang Dynasty. Established the brief Wu Zhou Dynasty, promoting Buddhism and state reform. Known for her ruthless rise to power but also for strengthening the empire's bureaucracy.

Sima Qian

(c. 145-68 BCE) Chinese historian from the Han Dynasty, known as the father of Chinese historiography. Wrote Records of the Grand Historian (Shi Ji), chronicling Chinese history. Suffered castration after defending a disgraced general but completed his monumental work.

Han Fei

(c. 280-233 BCE) Legalist philosopher from the Warring States period, author of the Han Feizi. Advocated for strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain state power. His ideas were instrumental in shaping the Qin Dynasty's legalist governance.

Zhu Yuanzhong

1368 - 1398. First Ming emperor, rags to riches, favors eunuchs over Confucians

General Sherman (Schooner)

What: An American schooner involved in a diplomatic and commercial mission to Korea. When: Incident occurred in 1866. Why it matters: The ship's unauthorized entry into Korean waters led to a conflict in which Korean forces attacked and destroyed the General Sherman, killing its crew. This incident heightened tensions between Korea and foreign powers, foreshadowing Korea's eventual opening to the outside world.

Mencius (Mengzi)

Who: A Chinese Confucian philosopher, considered the most important after Confucius. When: Lived from 372 to 289 BCE during the Warring States period. Why he matters: Mencius is known for his belief in the inherent goodness of human nature and his advocacy for benevolent governance. His ideas about the Mandate of Heaven and just rule had a profound influence on East Asian political philosophy.

Zheng He

Who: A Chinese explorer and admiral during the Ming Dynasty. When: Lived from 1371 to 1433, leading maritime expeditions between 1405 and 1433. Why he matters: His voyages expanded Chinese influence and trade, demonstrating China's naval power and fostering international relations.

Shang Yang (Lord Shang)

Who: A Chinese statesman and philosopher, central to the development of Legalism. When: Lived from c. 390 to 338 BCE during the Warring States period. Why he matters: His legalist reforms centralized power and strengthened the military in the Qin state, laying the foundation for the eventual unification of China under the Qin Dynasty.

Xunzi

Who: A Confucian philosopher who held a more pessimistic view of human nature than Mencius. When: Lived around 310-235 BCE during the Warring States period. Why he matters: Xunzi's philosophy emphasized the need for ritual and education to cultivate morality, shaping later Confucian thought and influencing the development of Chinese governance and ethics.

Marco Polo

Who: A Venetian merchant and explorer. When: Lived from 1254 to 1324 CE, traveling to China during the Yuan Dynasty. Why he matters: His travels to the court of Kublai Khan were recorded in his book, The Travels of Marco Polo, providing Europe with some of the earliest detailed accounts of East Asia. His stories, though sometimes exaggerated, fueled European curiosity about the region

Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming)

Who: A famous Chinese poet during the Six Dynasties period. When: Lived from 365 to 427 CE. Why he matters: Renowned for his love of rural life and his rejection of government service, Tao Qian's work deeply influenced later poets, particularly during the Tang Dynasty, through its themes of simplicity and nature.

Bai Juyi

Who: A famous Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty. When: Lived from 772 to 846 CE. Why he matters: Known for his simple and accessible poetry, Bai Juyi often wrote about social issues, politics, and personal emotions, making his work influential not only in China but also in Japan and Korea.

Duke of Zhou

Who: A key figure in the early Western Zhou Dynasty. When: Lived in the 11th century BCE. Why he matters: Consolidated Zhou rule after the fall of the Shang Dynasty, established the Mandate of Heaven, and contributed significantly to early Chinese political philosophy, becoming a model of virtue and loyalty.

Shōgun

Who: A military title in Japan, meaning "commander" or "general." When: The title emerged in the Heian period and evolved, with the shogunate becoming the de facto ruler of Japan from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Why they matter: Shoguns held actual political power in Japan, relegating the emperor to a ceremonial role, and their rule shaped Japan's feudal era and military governance.

Jia Yi

Who: A prominent Chinese statesman and scholar during the early Han Dynasty. When: Lived from 200 to 168 BCE. Why he matters: Known for his political essays, Jia Yi criticized the harsh policies of the Qin Dynasty in his famous work The Faults of Qin, which analyzed the Qin's downfall and advocated for humane governance under the Han Dynasty.

Dong Zhongshu

Who: A prominent Confucian scholar and political thinker during the Han Dynasty. When: Lived from 179 to 104 BCE. Why he matters: Played a key role in promoting Confucianism as the state ideology and synthesized Confucianism with cosmological elements like yin and yang and the Five Phases, shaping Chinese governance for centuries.

Yi Sun-sin

Who: A renowned Korean admiral during the Imjin War against Japan. When: Lived from 1545 to 1598. Why he matters: Famous for his naval strategies and use of the turtle ship, Yi Sun-sin is celebrated for defending Korea from Japanese invasions.

Li Yuan (Emperor Gaozu)

Who: Founder of the Tang Dynasty, one of China's most prosperous dynasties. When: Lived from 566 to 635 CE, founding the Tang Dynasty in 618 CE. Why he matters: Led a rebellion against the Sui Dynasty, establishing the Tang Dynasty, which became a golden age of Chinese culture, poetry, and Buddhism. His reign laid the foundation for political stability and economic growth.

Li Bai (Li Po)

Who: One of China's most famous poets, celebrated during the Tang Dynasty. When: Lived from 701 to 762 CE. Why he matters: Renowned for his poetry that celebrates nature, friendship, and the joys of life with vivid imagery and a free-spirited style, his work remains a pinnacle of classical Chinese poetry.

Kangxi Emperor

Who: One of the longest-reigning emperors of the Qing Dynasty. When: Lived from 1654 to 1722, ruling from 1661 to 1722 CE. Why he matters: Known for consolidating Qing control over China, promoting economic growth, and fostering cultural exchanges with the West. His reign saw the expansion of Qing territory and stability in the empire.

Khubilai Khan

Who: The fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China. When: Lived from 1215 to 1294 CE. Why he matters: Khubilai Khan completed the Mongol conquest of China and became the first non-Han emperor. His reign saw significant cultural and economic exchanges between East Asia and the wider world, although his attempts to conquer Japan failed.

Qin Shi Huangdi

Who: The first emperor of unified China and founder of the Qin Dynasty. When: Lived from 259 to 210 BCE, ruling as emperor from 221 to 210 BCE. Why he matters: Unified China in 221 BCE, ending the Warring States period. Standardized laws, currency, weights, measures, and writing systems. Ordered the burning of books to eliminate dissent and promote Legalist doctrine. His tomb is guarded by the famous Terracotta Army near Xi'an.

Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han)

Who: The founder of the Han Dynasty and one of China's most celebrated emperors. When: Lived from 256 to 195 BCE, establishing the Han Dynasty in 202 BCE. Why he matters: Rose from humble peasant origins to become emperor, leading the rebellion against the Qin Dynasty and defeating his rival, Xiang Yu. His reign marked the start of the Han Dynasty, a period of prosperity and the consolidation of Confucianism as the state ideology.

Chinggis Khan

Who: The founder of the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history. When: Lived from 1162 to 1227 CE. Why he matters: United the Mongol tribes and led them to conquer vast territories, reshaping the political landscape of Eurasia and laying the foundation for the Yuan Dynasty in China.

Song Taizu (Zhao Kuangyin)

Who: The founder of the Song Dynasty in China. When: Lived from 927 to 976 CE, ruled from 960 CE after unifying China following the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Why he matters: Established a stable and centralized government that ushered in a period of prosperity and cultural advancement during the Song Dynasty.

King Sejong the Great

Who: The fourth king of the Chosŏn (Joseon) Dynasty in Korea. When: Lived from 1397 to 1450 CE, ruling from 1418 to 1450 CE. Why he matters: Best known for creating the Korean alphabet hangul, which greatly improved literacy. He also promoted Confucianism, technological advances, and agricultural reforms, solidifying his legacy as one of Korea's most revered rulers.

Wu Zetian, Empress

Who: The only woman to rule as emperor in Chinese history. When: Lived from 625 to 705 CE, ruling during the Tang Dynasty and briefly the Zhou Dynasty (690-705 CE). Why she matters: Wu Zetian is significant for her promotion of Buddhism, use of a meritocratic system for governance, and her controversial and powerful reign, reshaping the imperial court with reforms and strategic political moves.

Yongle Emperor

Who: The third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. When: Lived from 1360 to 1424. Why he matters: Known for moving the capital to Beijing, building the Forbidden City, and commissioning Zheng He's maritime expeditions.