劉義恭

Liu Yigong 劉義恭 (413–465), Liu-Song period writer.

Liu Yigong’s ancestral home was Pengcheng 彭城 (modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu). He was the fifth son of Liu Yu 劉裕 (363–422), the founding emperor of the Liu-Song dynasty. He was handsome and intelligent as a young boy, and Liu Yu doted on him. In 424, Emperor Wen (r. 424–453) named him Prince of Jiangxia 江夏. Although Liu Yigong held important positions throughout the reign of Emperor Wen, he was known for his arrogance and cowardice. For example, in 450 Liu Yigong was assigned to defend Pengcheng against an invasion by the Northern Wei army. He did virtually nothing to repel the invaders. After Liu Shao 劉劭 (425–453) assassinated Emperor Wen in 453, and installed himself as emperor, Liu Yigong was afraid to oppose him. When Liu Jun 劉駿 (430–464) led a coup against Liu Shao, Liu Yigong fled on horseback. During the reign of Liu Jun 劉駿 (Emperor Xiaowu, r. 453–464), Liu Yigong shamelessly toadied to the emperor and constantly sang his praises. When Liu Ziye 劉子業 (449–465, r. 464–465) succeeded to the throne in 464, Liu Yigong conspired to overthrow him. When the plot was leaked, Liu Ziye had Liu Yigong and his four sons killed.

The monograph on bibliography of the Sui shu records a listing from a Liang period catalogue for Liu Yigong’s collected works in fifteen juan. The Sui shu and Jiu Tang shu list a thirteen-juan collection, while the Xin Tang shu records the collection in fifteen juan. The collection was lost in the Song.

Lu Qinli has collected in the Xian Qin Han Wei Jin Nanbei chao shi thirteen extant poems by Liu Yigong, many of which are fragmentary lines. Yan Kejun has collected thirty-five of his prose writings in “Quan Song wen” of Quan shanggu Sandai Qin Han Sanguo Liuchao wen. These include several fu, notably “Gan chun fu” 感春賦 (Fu on feelings stirred by spring) and “Baima fu” 白馬賦 (Fu on the white horse).

Not Specified Wu Jie David R. Knechtges

• 劉義恭 Liu Yigong, Brill’s Chinese Reference Shelf. Brill Online, 2017. http://chinesereferenceshelf.brillonline.com/ancient-literature/ent...