Liu Rushi
Liu Rushi | |
|---|---|
1847 portrait of Liu Rushi, ink on paper, by Lu Ji and Cheng Tinglu | |
| Born | Yang Yunjuan 1618 |
| Died | 1664 |
| Resting place | Mount Yu, Changshu, Jiangsu |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Other names | Liu Shi (柳是), Liu Yin (柳隱), Yang Yunjuan (楊雲娟), Yang Yinglian (楊影憐), Yang Ai (楊愛), Hedong Jun (河東君), Miwu Jun (蘼蕪君), Wowenshi Zhuren (我聞室主人), Wowen Jushi(我聞居室) |
| Occupation(s) | courtesan,poet,writer |
| Known for | Poetry,Patriotic spirit |
Liu Rushi (Chinese: 柳如是; pinyin: Liú Rúshì; Wade–Giles: Liu Ju-shih; 1618–1664), also known as Yang Ai (楊愛), Liu Shi (柳是), Liu Yin (柳隱),Yang Yinlian (楊影憐) and Hedong Jun (河東君), was a Chinese courtesan, poet and writer in the late Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty.
She is one of the "Eight Beauties of Qinhuai" described by late Qing official Zhang Jingqi. In addition to her creative works (many of which have survived) and independent spirit, she has been revered in later times for her unwavering love for her husband and for her country (the Ming) during the Ming–Qing transition. Historian Chen Yinke, who spent decades researching and writing about her, characterizes Liu Rushi as "a heroine, a belle, a wordsmith, and a patriot" (女俠名姝 文宗國士).