Gao Lian (dramatist)

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Gao Lian or Kao Lien (c. 1583), Chinese writer, dramatist and encyclopedist, is perhaps best remembered for his play Yü-tsan chi, a classic of the Ming period theater in thirty-three scenes, some of which are still performed today. Kao remained largely outside of official circles and is an example of a p’u-i wen-jen or commoner literatus, many examples of whom lived in the 17th century. Kao’s encyclopedia, Ts’un-sheng pa-chien, or Eight Treatises on the Nurturing of Life, has a distinctly modern ring with its espousal of stress avoidance as a key to overall physical health. Kao, in his discussion of mental illness (hsin-ping), successfully diagnosed the condition now known as Bipolar Disorder. Interestingly Kao advised his readers to avoid abortion and show concern for the elderly and physically weak. He suggested we attach ourselves to a major religious system or our inner emptiness will invite some manner of physical disease. Kao suggests he was a resident of Hangzhou and its celebrated West Lake with his area details. His works is a virtual treasure trove for early 17th century aesthetics and material culture such as garden architecture, tea culture and dwarf trees. The above items were additional examples of his overall aim at the maintenance of bodily health through a quiet enjoyment of human life.

BOOKS

ARTICLES

Carpenter, Bruce E., Kao ‘Lien’s Eight Treatises on the Nurturing of Life.’ Tezukayama University Review (Tezukayama daigaku ronshu) , Nara, Japan, no. 67, 1990, pp. 38-51.