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Emperor Huizong of Song 宋徽宗
Portrait of Huizong.
Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign	23 February 1100 – 18 January 1126
Coronation	23 February 1100
Predecessor	Emperor Zhezong
Successor	Emperor Qinzong
Born	Zhao Ji 7 June 1082
Died	4 June 1135(1135-06-04) (aged 52)
Burial	1137 (Qin Records)
Era dates Jianzhongjingguo (建中靖國; 1101) Chongning (崇寧; 1102–1106) Daguan (大觀; 1107–1110) Zhenghe (政和; 1111 – October 1118) Chonghe (重和; November 1118 – February 1119) Xuanhe (宣和; February 1119 – 1125) Posthumous name Tishen Hedao Junlie Xungong Shengwen Rende Xianci Xianxiao Huangdi (體神合道駿烈遜功聖文仁德憲慈顯孝皇帝) (awarded in 1143) Temple name Huizong (徽宗)
House	House of Zhao
Father	Emperor Shenzong
Mother	Empress Qinci

Emperor Huizong of Song (7 June 1082 – 4 June 1135), personal name Zhao Ji, was the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty in China. He was also a very well-known calligrapher. Born as the 11th son of Emperor Shenzong, he ascended the throne in 1100 upon the death of his elder brother and predecessor, Emperor Zhezong, because Emperor Zhezong's only son died prematurely. He lived in luxury, sophistication and art in the first half of his life. In 1126, when the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty invaded the Song dynasty during the Jin–Song Wars, Emperor Huizong abdicated and passed on his throne to his eldest son, Zhao Huan who assumed the title Emperor Qinzong while Huizong assumed the honorary title of Taishang Huang (or "Retired Emperor"). The following year, the Song capital, Bianjing, was conquered by Jin forces in an event historically known as the Jingkang Incident. Emperor Huizong, along with Emperor Qinzong and the rest of their family, were taken captive by the Jurchens and brought back to the Jin capital, Huining Prefecture in 1128. The Jurchen ruler, Emperor Taizong of Jin, gave the former Emperor Huizong a title, Duke Hunde (literally "Besotted Duke"), to humiliate him. After his surviving son, Zhao Gou, declared himself as the dynasty's tenth emperor as Emperor Gaozong, the Jurchens used him, Qinzong, and other imperial family members to put pressure on Gaozong and his court to surrender. Emperor Huizong died in Wuguo after spending about nine years in captivity.

Despite his incompetence in rulership, Emperor Huizong was known for his promotion of Taoism and talents in poetry, painting, calligraphy and music. He sponsored numerous artists at his imperial court, and the catalogue of his collection listed over 6,000 known paintings.^[1]

Life

Emperor Huizong, besides his partaking in state affairs that favoured the reformist party that supported Wang Anshi's New Policies, was a cultured leader who spent much of his time admiring the arts. He was a collector of paintings, calligraphy, and antiques of previous dynasties, building huge collections of each for his amusement. He wrote poems of his own, was known as an avid painter, created his own calligraphy style, had interests in architecture and garden design, and even wrote treatises on medicine and Taoism.^[2] He assembled an entourage of painters that were first pre-screened in an examination to enter as official artists of the imperial court, and made reforms to court music.^[2] Like many learned men of his age, he was quite a polymath personality, and is even considered to be one of the greatest Chinese artists of all time. However, his reign would be forever scarred by the decisions made (by counsel he received) on handling foreign policy, as the end of his reign marked a period of disaster for the Song Empire.

Jurchen Invasion

Emperor Huizong neglected the military, and the Song dynasty became increasingly weak and at the mercy of foreign invaders, despite his recasting of the symbolic Nine Tripod Cauldrons in 1106 in an attempt to assert his authority.^[3] When the Jurchens founded the Jin Dynasty and attacked the Khitan-led Liao dynasty to the north of the Song, the Song dynasty allied with the Jin Dynasty and attacked the Liao from the south. This succeeded in destroying the Liao, a longtime enemy of the Song.

Abdication

However, an enemy of the even more formidable Jin dynasty was now on the northern border. Not content with the annexation of the Liao domain, and perceiving the weakness of the Song army, the Jurchens soon declared war on their former ally, and by the beginning of 1126, the troops of the Jin "Western Vice-Marshal" Wolibu crossed the Yellow River and came in sight of Bianjing, the capital of the Song Empire. Realizing his mistakes, Huizong took the blame for everything that went wrong and stricken with panic, Emperor Huizong intended to flee but was convinced by his officials to abdicate first and then flee.^[4][5] Huizong then feigned a stroke because Huizong in his words said that "I must use the excuse of illness. I am afraid of disorder breaking out."^[6] He then abdicated on 18 January 1126 in favour of his eldest son, Zhao Huan who is historically now known as Emperor Qinzong (欽宗).

However, Qinzong sternly refused the throne, even pushing the robes off. Huizong, still feigning a stroke, wrote with his left hand "If you do not accept, you are unfilial." Qinzong said in response "If I accept, then I am unfilial." Even when Huizong summoned his empress, Qinzong still declined until Huizong ordered his eunuchs to forcibly put him on the throne.^[5] Qinzong finally gave in eventually accepting the throne.^[5] Huizong then departed the capital to flee in the countryside.^[7]

Capture

Pigeon on a Peach Branch, by Emperor Huizong

Overcoming the walls of Bianjing was a difficult undertaking for the Jurchen cavalry, and this, together with fierce resistance from some Song officials who had not totally lost their nerve, as Emperor Huizong had, and Qinzong giving a town, resulted in the Jurchens lifting the siege of Bianjing and returning north. The Song Empire, however, had to sign a humiliating treaty with the Jin Empire, agreeing to pay a colossal war indemnity and to give a tribute to the Jurchens every year. From 1126 until 1138, refugees from the Song Empire migrated south towards the Yangtze River valley.^[8] Huizong returned from the countryside and resumed his normal activities after hearing that the siege was lifted.

But even such humiliating terms could not save the Song dynasty. Within a matter of months, the troops of both Jurchen vice-marshals, Wolibu and Nianhan,^[9] were back south again, and this time they were determined to overcome the walls of Bianjing after Qinzong wanted to form an Anti-Jin alliance with two Liao nobles who were actually on the Jurchens side. After a bitter siege, the Jurchens eventually entered Bianjing on 9 January 1127, and many days of looting, rapes, and massacre followed. Most of the entire imperial court and harem were captured by the Jurchens in an event known historically as the Jingkang Incident, and transported north, mostly to the Jin capital of Shangjing (in present-day Harbin). After Qinzong was captured, Emperor Huizong, was persuaded to turn himself in, however, they captured Huizong.^[6] When Huizong got to see Qinzong, they cried and hugged eachother with Huizong stating "If you had listened to the old man, we would have avoided this disaster."^[10]

One of the many sons of Emperor Huizong, Zhao Gou was not present in Bianjing where he went to Southern China where, after many years of struggle, he would establish the Southern Song Dynasty, of which he was the first ruler, Emperor Gaozong.

Emperors Huizong and the former Emperor Qinzong were demoted to the rank of commoners by the Jurchens on 20 March 1127. Then on 10 May 1127, Emperor Huizong was deported to Heilongjiang, where he spent the last eight years of his life as a captive. In 1128, in a humiliating episode, the two former Song Emperors had to venerate the Jin ancestors at their shrine in Shangjing, wearing mourning dress.^[11] The Jurchen ruler, Emperor Taizong, granted the two former Song emperors degrading titles to humiliate them: Emperor Huizong was called "Duke Hunde" (昏德公; literally "Besotted Duke") while Emperor Qinzong was called "Marquis Chonghun" (重昏侯; literally "Doubly Besotted Marquis").^[11]

In 1137, the Jin Empire formally notified the Southern Song Empire about the death of the former Emperor Huizong.^[11] Emperor Huizong, who had lived in opulence and art for the first half of his life, died a broken man in faraway northern Heilongjiang in June 1135, at the age of 52.

A few years later (1141), as the peace negotiations leading up to the Treaty of Shaoxing between the Jin and the Song empires were proceeding, the Jin Empire posthumously honored the former Emperor Huizong with the neutral-sounding title of "Prince of Tianshui Commandery" (天水郡王), after a commandery in the upper reaches of the Wei River.

Art, calligraphy, music, and culture

"Chong Ning Tongbao" in the style of Emperor Huizong's Slender Gold calligraphy.

Emperor Huizong was a great painter, poet, and calligrapher. He was also a player of the guqin (as exemplified by his famous painting 聽琴圖 Listening to the Qin); he also had a Wanqin Tang (萬琴堂; "10,000 Qin Hall") in his palace.

The emperor took huge efforts to search for art masters. He established the "Hanlin Huayuan" (翰林畫院; "Hanlin imperial painting house") where top painters around China shared their best works.

The primary subjects of his paintings are birds and flowers. Among his works is Five-Colored Parakeet on Blossoming Apricot Tree. He also recopied Zhang Xuan's painting Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk, and Emperor Huizong's reproduction is the only copy of that painting that survives today.

Emperor Huizong invented the "Slender Gold" (瘦金體) style of calligraphy. The name "Slender Gold" came from the fact that the emperor's writing resembled gold filament, twisted and turned.

One of the emperor's era names, Xuanhe, is also used to describe a style of mounting paintings in scroll format. In this style, black borders are added between some of the silk planes.

In 1114, following a request from the Goryeo ruler Yejong, Emperor Huizong sent to the palace in the Goryeo capital at Gaeseong a set of musical instruments to be used for royal banquet music. Two years later, in 1116, he sent another, even larger gift of musical instruments (numbering 428 in total) to the Goryeo court, this time yayue instruments, beginning that nation's tradition of aak.^[12]

Emperor Huizong was also a great tea enthusiast. He wrote the Treatise on Tea, the most detailed and masterful description of the Song sophisticated style of tea ceremony.

Emperor Huizong's famous descendant was Zhao Mengfu through his daughter Zhao Jinluo.

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  Women preparing silk, a Chinese silk painting by Emperor Huizong of Song, early 12th century.
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Ladies making silk, (a remake of an 8th-century original by artist Zhang Xuan)
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Ting Qin Tu (Chinese: 聽琴圖, literally "Listening to the Qin"
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song (Poem and Calligraphy)
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Plum and Birds
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Golden Pheasant and Cotton Rose Flowers
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Dragon Stone
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Cranes 1112
  

  
  

  
  


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  Emperor Huizong of Song, Classic Thousand-character Grass script
  

  
  

  
  


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  A portrait of Song Huizong in a Hanging Scroll from the National Palace Museum. (Huizong did not paint this)
  

  
  

  
  

Titles from birth

• Prince of Suining Commandery (遂寧郡王)


• Prince of Duan (端王)


• Emperor (皇帝)


• Emperor Jiaozhu Daojun (教主道君皇帝)


• Duke Hunde (昏德公)


• Prince of Tianshui Commandery (天水郡王)

Family

• Parents:
  
  • 
    Zhao Xu, Shenzong (神宗 趙頊; 1048 – 1085)
  
  
  • Empress Qinci, of the Chen clan (欽慈皇后 陳氏; 1058 – 1089)
  
  


• Consorts and Issue:

1. 
   Empress Xiangong, of the Wang clan (顯恭皇后 王氏; 1084 – 1108)
   
   1. 
      Zhao Huan, Qinzong (欽宗 趙桓; 1100 – 1156)
   
   
   2. Princess Rongde (榮德帝姬; b. 1103), personal name Jinnu (金奴), m. Wanyan Dan
      
   
   


2. 
   Empress Xiansu, of the Zheng clan (顯肅皇后 鄭氏; 1079 – 1131)
   
   1. Princess Jiade (嘉德帝姬; 1100 – 1141), personal name Yupan (玉盤), m. Wanyan Dan
      
   
   
   2. 
      Zhao Cheng, Prince Yan (兗王 趙檉; 1101)
   
   
   3. 
      Princess Shoushu (壽淑帝姬; c. 1104 – c. 1106)
   
   
   4. Princess Ande (安德帝姬; 1106 – 1127), personal name Jinluo (金羅)
   
   
   5. 
      Princess Rongshu (榮淑帝姬; c. 1107 – c. 1110)
   
   
   6. Princess Chengde (成德帝姬; b. 1110), personal name Hu'er (瑚兒)
   
   


3. Empress Mingda, of the Liu clan (明達皇后 劉氏; c. 1087 – 1113)
   
   1. 
      Princess Anshu (安淑帝姬; c. 1105 – c. 1109)
   
   
   2. Princess Maode (茂德帝姬; 1106 – 1128), personal name Fujin (福金), m. Wanyan Xiyin
      
   
   
   3. Zhao Yu, Prince Yi (益王 趙棫; 1107 – 1137)
   
   
   4. Zhao Mo, Prince Qi (祁王 趙模; 1107 – 1138)
   
   
   5. Princess Xunde (洵德帝姬; b. 1110), personal name Fujin (富金)
   
   
   6. Zhao Zhen, Prince Xin (信王 趙榛; 1111 – 1139)
   
   


4. Empress Mingjie, of the Liu clan (明節皇后 劉氏; 1088 – 1121)
   
   1. 
      Zhao Yang, Prince Jian'an (建安王 趙柍; 1115 – 1127)
   
   
   2. Princess Hefu (和福帝姬; b. 1116), personal name Jinzhu (金珠)
   
   
   3. 
      Zhao Yi, Duke Jia (嘉公 趙椅; 1118 – 1130)
   
   
   4. Zhao Si, Duke Ying (英公 趙楒; b. 1120)
   
   


5. Empress Xianren, of the Wei clan (顯仁皇后 韋氏; 1080 – 1159)
   
   1. 
      Zhao Gou, Gaozong (高宗 趙構; 1107 – 1187)


6. 
   Guifei, of the Wang clan (懿肅貴妃 王氏; c. 1087 – 1117)
   
   1. 
      Princess Huishu (惠淑帝姬; c. 1105)
   
   
   2. 
      Princess Kangshu (康淑帝姬; c. 1106 – c. 1108)
   
   
   3. Zhao Zhi, Prince Shen (莘王 趙植; 1108 – 1148)
   
   
   4. Princess Roufu (柔福帝姬; 1111 – 1142), personal name Huanhuan (嬛嬛), m. Wanyan Sheng
      
   
   
   5. Princess Xianfu (賢福帝姬; 1112 – 1127), personal name Jin'er (金兒)
   
   
   6. 
      Zhao Ji, Duke Chen (陳公 趙機; 1114)
   
   


7. 
   Guifei, of the Wang clan (貴妃 王氏)
   
   1. Zhao Kai, Prince Yun (鄆王 趙楷; 1101 – 1130)
   
   
   2. Princess Chongde (崇德帝姬; c. 1105 – 1121)
   
   
   3. 
      Princess Baoshu (保淑帝姬; c. 1107)
   
   
   4. 
      Princess Xishu (熙福帝姬; c. 1110 – c. 1112)
   
   
   5. Zhao Chan, Duke Xiang (相公 趙梴; 1112 – 1137)
   
   


8. 
   Guifei, of the Qiao clan (貴妃 喬氏; b. 1081)
   
   1. Zhao Qi, Prince Jing (景王 趙杞; 1104 – 1138)
   
   
   2. Zhao Xu, Prince Ji (濟王 趙栩; b. 1106)
   
   


9. 
   Guifei, of the Cui clan (貴妃 崔氏; 1091 – 1130)
   
   1. 
      Princess Daomu (悼穆帝姬; c. 1110 – c. 1117), personal name Jinxian (金仙)
   
   
   2. 
      Princess Dunfu (敦福帝姬; c. 1111 – c. 1112), personal name Sanjin (三金)
   
   
   3. 
      Zhao Chun, Prince Han (漢王 趙椿; 1112 – 1113)
   
   
   4. Princess Renfu (仁福帝姬; 1112 – 1127), personal name Xiangyun (香雲)
   
   
   5. Princess Yongfu (永福帝姬; b. 1112), personal name Fubao (佛保)
   
   
   6. Princess Ningfu (寧福帝姬; b. 1114), personal name Chuanzhu (串珠), m. Wanyan Dan
      
   
   


10. 
    Guifei, of the Wang clan (貴妃 王氏; 1092 – 1127)
    
    1. Zhao E, Prince Yi (沂王 趙㮙; 1110 – 1132)
    
    
    2. 
       Princess Shenfu (申福帝姬; c. 1113 – c. 1114)
    
    


11. 
    Xianfei, of the Yang clan (賢妃 楊氏; c. 1085 – 1115)
    
    1. 
       Princess Shunshu (順淑帝姬; c. 1103 – c. 1105)
    
    
    2. Zhao Shi, Prince He (和王 趙栻; 1111 – 1128)
    
    


12. 
    Wanrong, of the Wang clan (婉容 王氏)
    
    1. Princess Huifu (惠福帝姬 趙珠珠; b. 1112), personal name Zhuzhu (珠珠)


13. 
    Wanrong, of the Yan clan (婉容 閻氏; 1109 – 1133), personal name Baose (寶瑟)
    
    1. Zhao Zhu (趙柱; b. 1130)


14. 
    Zhaoyuan, of the Zheng clan (昭媛 鄭氏), personal name Meiniang (媚娘)
    
    1. Zhao Tan (趙檀; b. 1131)


15. 
    Xiurong, of the Han clan (修容 韓氏)
    
    1. Princess Baofu (保福帝姬; 1112 – 1127), personal name Xianlang (仙郎)


16. 
    Jieyu, of the Wang clan (婕妤 王氏)
    
    1. Zhao Ji (趙極; b. 1127)


17. 
    Cairen, of the Qiao clan (才人 喬氏)
    
    1. Princess Xiande (顯德帝姬; b. 1111), personal name Qiaoyun (巧雲)


18. Unknown
    
    1. 
       Zhao Ji, Prince Jing (荊王 趙楫; 1102 – 1103)
    
    
    2. Zhao Shu, Prince Su (肅王 趙樞; 1103 – 1130)
    
    
    3. 
       Zhao Cai, Prince Bin (邠王 趙材; 1107 – 1116)
    
    
    4. Zhao Pu, Prince Yi (儀王 趙樸; 1109 – 1123)
    
    
    5. Zhao Di, Prince Xu (徐王 趙棣; b. 1109)
    
    
    6. 
       Zhao Gong, Prince Yun (鄆王 趙栱; 1110 – 1112)
    
    
    7. Zhao Wo, Prince Ankang (安康王 趙楃; b. 1112)
    
    
    8. Zhao Jian, Prince Guangping (廣平王 趙楗; b. 1112)
    
    
    9. Zhao Yue, Duke Ying (瀛公 趙樾; 1115 – 1131)
    
    
    10. Zhao Dong, Duke Wen (溫公 趙棟; b. 1119)
    
    
    11. Zhao Tong, Duke Yi (儀公 趙桐; 1121 – 1148)
    
    
    12. 
        Zhao Bing, Duke Chang (昌公 趙柄; 1122 – 1132)
    
    
    13. Zhao Cong, Duke Run (潤公 趙樅; b. 1123)
    
    
    14. Zhao Xiang, Duke Han (韓公 趙相; b. 1125)
    
    
    15. Untitled son
    
    
    16. Untitled son
    
    
    17. Untitled son
    
    
    18. Princess Shunde (順德帝姬; 1111 – 1137), personal name Yingluo (纓絡), m. Wanyan Zonghan
        
    
    
    19. Princess Yifu (儀福帝姬; b. 1111), personal name Yuanzhu (圓珠), m. Wanyan Zongbi
        
    
    
    20. Princess Lingfu (令福帝姬; b. 1118), personal name Jinyin (金印), m. Wanyan Dan
        
    
    
    21. Princess Huafu (華福帝姬; b. 1119), personal name Saiyue (賽月), m. Wanyan Dan
        
    
    
    22. Princess Qingfu (慶福帝姬; b. 1121), personal name Jingu (金姑), m. Wanyan Dan
        
    
    
    23. Princess Chunfu (純福帝姬; b. 1124), personal name Jinling (金鈴)
    
    
    24. 
        Princess Gongfu (恭福帝姬; c. 1126 – c. 1129), personal name Xiaojin (小金)
    
    
    25. Princess Quanfu (全福帝姬)
    
    
    26. Lady Zhao
    
    
    27. Lady Zhao
    
    
    28. Lady Zhao
    
    
    29. Lady Zhao
    
    
    30. Lady Zhao
    
    
    31. Lady Zhao
    
    
    32. Lady Zhao
    
    

See also

1. Chinese emperors family tree (middle)


2. List of emperors of the Song dynasty


3. Architecture of the Song dynasty


4. Culture of the Song dynasty


5. Economy of the Song dynasty


6. History of the Song dynasty


7. Society of the Song dynasty


8. Technology of the Song dynasty

References

• Ebrey, Patricia Buckley. (2013). Emperor Huizong (Harvard University Press; 2013) 661 pages; scholarly biography online review
  


• Ebrey, Patricia Buckley. (1999). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  ISBN 0-521-66991-X (paperback).


• Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais (2006). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Boston: Houghton and Mifflin.


• Jing-shen Tao (1976) The Jurchen in Twelfth-Century China. University of Washington Press.
  ISBN 0-295-95514-7.


• Herbert Franke, Denis Twitchett. Alien Regimes and Border States, 907–1368 (Cambridge History of China, vol. 6). Cambridge University Press, 1994.
  ISBN 0-521-24331-9. Partial text on Google Books.


• Huiping Pang (2009), "Strange Weather: Art, Politics, and Climate Change at the Court of Northern Song Emperor Huizong," Journal of Song-Yuan Studies, Volume 39, 2009, pp. 1–41. ISSN 1059-3152.

Please see: References section in the guqin article for a full list of references used in all qin related articles.