[1]Identity, dates, and imperial statusZhao Ji, known as Emperor Huizong of Song, was born in 1082 and died in 1135; the precise dates are 2 November 1082 and 11 June 1135, and he is identified as the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty and an emperor of the Northern Song.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The person record gives the personal name Zhao Ji, the Chinese name 趙佶, birth year 1082, death year 1135, Song affiliation, and the imperial office and status.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The profile identifies Zhao Ji, gives 1082 and 1135 as the birth and death years, and places him in the Northern Song.
WikidataEmperor Huizong of Song (Q7486)The entity is labelled Emperor Huizong of Song; its descriptions give his 1082–1135 dates and identify him as the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority record gives the name Zhao Ji, exact birth and death dates, Northern Song affiliation, and the description of him as the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty.
[2]Names and familyZhao Ji’s temple name was Huizong and his posthumous title is given here in one form; the biographical accounts identify him as the eleventh son of Shenzong and the younger brother of Zhezong, while the posthumous title also appears with the order 憲慈 in place of 慈憲.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The person record gives Zhao Ji’s personal name, the temple name Hui Zong, and a posthumous title.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The profile and biographies give the names Zhao Ji and Huizong, list a posthumous title, and identify him as Shenzong’s son, Zhezong’s younger brother, and Shenzong’s eleventh son.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority record lists Zhao Ji, Song Huizong, a variant posthumous title, and identifies him as Shenzong’s eleventh son.
[3]Titles before accessionAfter Zhezong’s accession, Zhao Ji was made Prince of Suining; he became Prince Duan in the third year of Shaosheng, received the title Sikong in the fifth year, and was made military governor of Zhaode and Zhangxin.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographical entries state that he was made Prince of Suining after Zhezong’s accession, became Prince Duan in Shaosheng 3, and received the title Sikong and the Zhaode and Zhangxin military governorship in Shaosheng 5.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The office data list the prince and king titles and the Sikong appointment in 1085, 1096, and 1098.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority record lists the title Prince Duan.
[4]Accession and reignZhezong died without an heir in the first month of the third Yuanfu year, after which Zhao Ji succeeded him; the length of the reign is given as either twenty-five or twenty-six years, and six era names are listed.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The two biographies describe his accession in Yuanfu 3; one gives a twenty-six-year reign, while the other gives twenty-five years and lists the six era names from Jianzhong Jingguo through Xuanhe.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The career data include an accession entry and place the imperial office from 1100 to 1125.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority note gives a twenty-five-year reign, preserving the discrepancy with the twenty-six-year statement.
[5]Factional politicsHuizong initially sought to reconcile the New and Old factions, then adopted the continuation of Shenzong’s policies as state policy; under Cai Jing’s direction, more than 100 men including Sima Guang and Su Shi were branded members of a treacherous party and demoted.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies describe the attempted reconciliation of the New and Old factions, the adoption of Shenzong’s policies, Cai Jing’s control of government, and the demotion of Sima Guang, Su Shi, and more than 100 others as members of a treacherous party.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The associated notes mention Cai Jing’s appointment and the designation of Sima Guang and more than 100 others as members of a treacherous party.
[6]Daoism and the Flower-Stone GangHuizong promoted Daoism, expanded Daoist temples, styled himself the Teaching-Lord, Daoist Sovereign Emperor, and pursued costly construction and the collection of unusual flowers and rocks known as the Flower-Stone Gang.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies describe his promotion of Daoism, construction of Daoist temples, self-styling as 教主道君皇帝, extensive building, and search for unusual flowers and rocks known as 花石綱.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The associated note preserves the title 教主道君皇帝.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority record lists 教主道君皇帝 and describes Huizong’s Daoist policy and the Flower-Stone practice.
[7]Alliance with Jin against LiaoHuizong sent envoys across the sea to ally with Jin against Liao to recover Yanyun; after Liao fell, Jin moved south in Xuanhe 7 (1125), and the alliance left Song bordering a powerful Jin and brought Jin’s forces deep into Song.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies describe the maritime mission to ally with Jin against Liao for Yanyun, Liao’s destruction, and Jin’s southward advance in Xuanhe 7; one account states that the policy brought Jin’s forces deep into Song.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The associated note says that his actions provoked conflict with Jin.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority note says that the alliance against Liao brought Song directly beside the powerful Jin and gives Xuanhe 7 as 1125.
[8]Abdication and captivityAfter the Jin advance, Huizong abdicated in favor of Qinzong and took the title Taishanghuang; he was captured and taken north at the end of Jingkang, later dying at Wuguo City.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies state that he abdicated to Qinzong and called himself Taishanghuang, then was captured by Jin and taken north before dying at Wuguo City.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)The career data list the Taishanghuang title and identify Wuguo as a place of exile.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority record gives the title Daojun Taishanghuangdi and states that he abdicated, was captured after the fall of the state, and died in captivity.
[9]Calligraphy and paintingHuizong was versed in the hundred arts and excelled in calligraphy and painting; his distinctive calligraphic style became known as Slender Gold Script.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies describe his mastery of the hundred arts, particular skill in calligraphy and painting, independent style, and Slender Gold Script.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database趙佶 (A003935)The authority note says that Huizong created a distinctive calligraphic style known as 瘦金體.
[10]Surviving art worksThe surviving calligraphic and painted works named here are The Thousand-Character Essay, Lotus and Golden Pheasant, and Autumn Evening at the Pond.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biographies name 《千字文卷》, 《芙蓉錦雞》 or 《芙蓉錦鷄》, and 《池塘秋晚》 as surviving works.
[11]Poetry and collected worksHuizong wrote poetry and ci, was an author, and was associated with a collected works of 100 juan; surviving texts include The Imperial Commentary on the Scripture of Western Ascension and later compilations of his poems and lyrics.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biography says that he wrote poetry and ci, was skilled in authorship, had a collection of 100 juan, and that 《御注西昇經》 and later compilations of 《宋徽宗詩》 and 《宋徽宗詞》 survive.
[12]Palace Lyrics of XuanhePalace Lyrics of Xuanhe is named among Huizong’s poetry and ci works.
Souyun趙佶 (25009)The biography names 《宣和宮詞》 after describing his ability in poetry and ci.
[13]Early attributed worksThe works attributed to Huizong include the Imperial Explanation of the True Scripture of the Way and Its Power, Exposition of the Classic of Xu Xu and Perfect Virtue, Treatise on Tea in the Daguan Era, the Huizong Sacred Relief Classic, Miscellaneous Comments on Painting in the Xuanhe Era, and the Scripture of Western Ascension.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)Each of these titles has the role of author, while the original titles include fascicle counts omitted in the prose for readability.
[14]Later attributed worksThe attributed writings also include Record of the Xuanhe Palace, Record of the Chongfu Temple on Mount Song, Record of the Special Banquet at the Taiqing Tower, Record of the Xuanhe Painting of Cranes at Yunzhuang, Record of the Banquet in the Chengping Hall of Yanfu Palace, Record of the Bright Hall, Record of Gen Rock, and Articles on the Eight Conducts and Eight Punishments.
CBDBZhao Ji (9008)Each of these eight titles has the role of author; the fascicle counts in the original titles are omitted in the prose.
CBDB
