Zhu Zhanji
Imperial Ming painter and calligrapher
Ming Xuanzong(宣宗) Zhu Zhanji(朱瞻基) (March 16, 1398/1399 – January 31, 1435), also known as the Longchun Zhenren(長春真人), was the fifth emperor of the Ming Dynasty (reigned 1425–1435) and a calligrapher and painter. He was the son of Emperor Renzong(仁宗) Zhu Gaochi(朱高炽) and Empress Chengxiao(誠孝) Zhao(昭), Lady Zhang(張). Zhu Zhanji was deeply favored by his grandfather, Zhu Di(朱棣), in his early years. In the ninth year of the Yongle reign (1411), he was appointed crown prince and accompanied Zhu Di on northern inspection tours. He was taught classics, history, and governance by Hanlin Academy officials to broaden his knowledge and skills in state affairs. In the 22nd year of Yongle (1424), his father Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, making him crown prince. The following year, after his father's death, he became emperor and changed the era name to 'Xuande.' Within a year, he put down the rebellion led by Prince of Han Zhu Gaoxu and implemented policies to reduce the power of regional princes, effectively solving the threat they posed to the court. With the help of renowned ministers like the 'Three Yangs,' he continued his father’s policies, allowed the people to rest, reformed the bureaucracy, reduced taxes, provided disaster relief, strengthened the imperial cabinet, and relied on eunuchs. In foreign policy, he practiced strategic contraction, abandoning Jiaozhi in the south and Kaiping in the north, while conducting three border tours to maintain defense against the Mongols. Later generations referred to the period of his and his father’s rule as the 'Governance of Ren and Xuan.' In the tenth year of Xuande (1435), Zhu Zhanji passed away in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. His posthumous title was 'Emperor Xiantian Chongdao Yingming Shensheng Qinwen Zhaowu Kuanren Chunxiao Zhang,' with the temple name 'Xuanzong,' and he was buried in Jingling Mausoleum. Zhu Zhanji excelled in both civil and martial arts and was talented in various fields, with 44 volumes of his poetry and writings. He was especially skilled in painting, with works like 'Wuhou Reclining' and 'Three Suns Bring Prosperity' still preserved today.