Illustration of Zhong Kui the Demon Queller

Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Tianqi period (1621–27) dated 1624

Unmounted sheet comprising 3 joined sheets, ink rubbed on paper; 199.7 x 109.7 cm

Date of rubbing not given, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Inventory number: Huaxiang 1844

Zhong Kui is one the most popular folk icons of the Chinese.  According to legend sometime during the Kaiyuan era (713–42) Emperor Xuanzong (685–762; r. 712–62) of the Tang fell ill and had a nightmare in which he was disturbed by Xu Hao, a small demon of destruction who stole his jade flute and his consort's perfume bag.  The little demon was subsequently captured and devoured by another imposing demon dressed in ragged clothes and black boots, who introduced himself to the emperor as Zhong Kui, a failed scholar who had committed suicide a century earlier and appointed himself exorcist.  When the emperor awoke from his dream, he commanded the court painter Wu Daozi (689–759) to paint a portrait of Zhong Kui.

This portrait, engraved on a large stone stele, depicts Zhong Kui in the pose of a warrior.  However, he carries a qin (zither) and a case of books.  Based on the title slip on the case, Jun tian guang yue, this picture may be titled "Zhong Kui Listening to Heavenly Music."  The two-columned inscription at upper left provides the name of Liang Jianting from Guanzhong (Shaanxi), a prefect in Henan province, and an early summer date in the jiazi year of the Tianqi reign era, i.e. 1624.  The other inscription at the middle left states that Liu Anxing, the district magistrate of Dengfeng County was responsible for erecting the stone engraving.  The original stone is now kept in the Shaolin Temple at Dengfeng (Kaifeng) in Henan Province.