Courtesans of the Ming Dynasty

Books give a good idea of the enormous influence the courtesan quarters had on the cultural life in China during the Ming dynasty. They were frequented by all the great scholars, writers and artists of those days. Therefore, a high standard for beauty and skill was set for the courtesans. For instance, several new genres of singing and instrumental music were developed in those quarters that are still popular today. The Ming Dynasty promoted above all a cult of elegant living.

'Reminiscences of the Plum-shadow Hermitage’ is an authentic biographical account of the Ming scholar Mao Hsiang (1611-1693). He wrote it after his favorite concubine Tung Hsiao-wan died. The story is a stirring account of their love, but also gives some insight information into the courtesan lives during the Ming dynasty. When Mao Hsiang met Tung Hsiao-wan, he was a famous figure amongst writers in artists. Most of all, he was famous for his good looks and wide learning. Tung Hsiao-wan was a courtesan of a entertainment quarter in Nanking. She had entered the courtesan house when she was around twelve years old and was known for her wit and beauty. When they met, they fell deeply in love. But he was happily married, and she was involved with a powerful patron. It took one year to arrange all the affairs, but when she was seventeen she entered his house as his concubine. Soon she took part in her husbands’ work. She copied texts for him, kept his books and manuscripts in order, and they would spend entire evenings together talking about Tang poetry. However, the military situation of China worsened and they had to flee together from one place to the other. They were together for nine years, sharing the turbulent times during the end of the Ming Dynasty, until she died at the age of twenty-six.

With the glorious Ming Dynasty drawing near its end, some scholars grew tired of writing highly polished poetry, and of sporting with sophisticated courtesans. They were reminded of the impermanence of all worldly pleasures. Therefore some scholars retired to mountain resorts, devoting themselves to profound Buddhist and Taoist studies. Others were occupied in a feverish quest for new excitement, and gave themselves completely to a life of indulgence.