Malaysia / China: Carving of Jizi, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Jizi, or Qizi (Gija or Kija in Korean), was a semi-mythical sage said to have ruled Gojoseon, an ancient Korean kingdom, in the 11th century BCE. Early Chinese documents claim him to be a virtuous relative of King Zhou of Shang, who remonstrated with the king and was punished for it. After the Shang Dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty in the 1040s BCE, he became a political advisor to King Wu of Zhou.

King Wu made Jizi ruler of Chaoxian (Joseon in Korean) as a reward for his loyalty. It is said that he brought many facets of Chinese civilisation to Joseon, such as agriculture and sericulture. He would become a cultural hero in Korea, praised for raising Korean civilisation to the same level as China, and state cults dedicated to him developed in the 6th century CE onwards, with many clans proudly claiming to be his descendants.

The rise of Korean nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th century CE saw his cultural status and achievements questioned and dismissed however, due to many nationalist historians views of the Korean minjok (race-nation) and a refusal to recognise Chinese influence on Korean cultural development.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Anandajoti

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Pictures From History