Gao Lian (dramatist)

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Gao Lian (Chinese: 高濂; Wade-Giles: Kao Lien, fl. 16th century), courtesy name Ruinan (瑞南), was Chinese writer, dramatist and encyclopedist born in Hangzhou. He is perhaps best remembered for his play Yuzanji (玉簪记), a classic of the Ming period theater in thirty-three scenes, some of which are still performed today.

Gao remained largely outside of official circles and is an example of a Buyi Wenren (布衣文人) or commoner literatus, many examples of whom lived in the 17th century. Gao’s encyclopedia, Zunsheng Bajian (遵生八笺, "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.

In his discussion of mental illness (hsin-ping), successfully diagnosed the condition now known as Bipolar Disorder. Interestingly Gao 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. Gao 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.

[edit] References

  • 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. ISSN 0385-7743