Li Zhengzhong
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Li Zhengzhong | |
|---|---|
 Li in 2010 | |
| Born | 1921 |
| Died | February 23, 2020 |
| Occupation | Author, novelist, editor, calligrapher |
| Years active | 1937-1955; 1979-2020 |
| Spouse | Zhang Xingjuan (1941; died 2012) |
Li Zhengzhong (Chinese: 李正中; 16 April, 1921 - February 23, 2020), sometimes known by his pen names Ke Ju and Wei Changming was a Chinese author, calligrapher, novelist based in Manchukuo.[1] Li was married to fellow author Zhang Xingjuan, together they were considered one of the "Northeast’s four famous husband-wife writers".[1]
Early life in Manchukuo
[edit]Li Zhengzhong was born on 16 April, 1921, in Yitong County, Jilin.[1] From a young age, his mother encouraged him to recite Tang Dynasty poetry.[1] He attended Jilin City No.1 Middle School.[2] At the age of sixteen he published his first collection of writings, Yu Yin guan shi cun (Yu Yin Pavilion Poems), which is considered to be a lost literary work. Some poems from the text were recovered through local newspapers published in Manchukuo.[3] He then attended Datong University (now Utopia University) in Shanghai from 1939 to 1941, earning a law degree.[1][3] Li published two more poetry collections, Native Place Yearning and Qiyue (July), both written during his time at university.[3] By 1945, Li published four more books; Wuxian zhi sheng wuxian zhi lü (Unlimited Life, Unlimited Travel), Sun (Bamboo), Chuntian yi zhu cao (A Blade of Spring Grass), and Lu huo (Furnace Fire).[1][3] A second edition of Qiyue was published in 1946.[3] While in Manchukuo, Li worked as a judge in a Chinese court and pursued writing, editing, and calligraphy.[3]
Later career
[edit]After World War II, Li worked as a newspaper editor for Dongbei wenxue (Northeast Literature) and Guangfu ribao (Recovery Daily). The new Communist government sentenced Li to six months in prison for his Manchukuo career.[1] After being released he joined the People's Liberation Army and had stopped writing in 1955.[1] During the 1950s and 1960s he worked various positions at a factory in Shenyang, including as a teacher and a labor organizer.[3] Li was condemned as an anti-revolutionary by a court in 1969, and was exiled to rural Liaoning alongside his wife, three children, and father.[1][3]
The Communist Party of China reversed it's ruling on writers in 1978 and Li's family returned to Shenyang the following year.[3] Li's calligraphy was exhibitioned across China and in Canada, England, and Taiwan.[1][3]
Personal life
[edit]He met his future wife Zhang Xingjuan at the age of 14.[1][4] The two later married in 1943 and had three children.[1][3]
Li died on February 23, 2020.[5] His final wish was to donate a total of 500 rare books and pictures to Jilin City No.1 Middle School, which was fulfilled by his family in 2021.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Culver, Annika A.; Smith, Norman (2019-12-09). Manchukuo Perspectives: Transnational Approaches to Literary Production. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978-988-8528-13-4.
- ^ a b Shi, Hongyu (2021-05-24). "百岁作家李正中完成遗愿：500余份书籍手记捐赠母校" [Centenarian writer Li Zhengzhong fulfills his last wish: donating more than 500 books and notes to his alma mater]. Sina Corporation. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Smith, Norman (2023). Writing Manchuria: The Lives and Literature of Zhu Ti and Li Zhengzhong. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-003-34112-3.
- ^ Smith, Norman (2011-11-01). Resisting Manchukuo: Chinese Women Writers and the Japanese Occupation. UBC Press. ISBN 978-0-7748-4112-2.
- ^ Liu, Xiaoli (2020-02-28). "伪满时期文学的最后余响" [The Last Echo of Literature during the Puppet Manchukuo Period]. Caixin. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2024-07-31.