Shi Yukun
Shi Yukun (fl. 19th century), courtesy name Zhenzhi, was a highly popular Qing dynasty storyteller who performed in Beijing during the first half of the 19th century. Little is known about his life, but anecdotes recorded in the 1940s claimed he worked as a Booi Aha at prince Zhaolian's mansion before he became a performer.
Shi Yukun | |||||||||
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| Born | Likely late 18th century, possibly c. 1797 Tianjin (disputed) | ||||||||
| Died | Likely before 1879, possibly c. 1871 | ||||||||
| Nationality | Qing Empire | ||||||||
| Notable work | The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants | ||||||||
| Style | zidishu | ||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||
| Chinese | 石玉昆 (or 石玉崑) | ||||||||
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| Shi Zhenzhi | |||||||||
| Chinese | 石振之 | ||||||||
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| Wenzhu Zhuren (possible pen name? disputed) | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 問竹主人 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 问竹主人 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Bamboo-Inquiring Master" | ||||||||
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He is the credited author of the 1879 wuxia novel The Tale of Loyal Heroes and Righteous Gallants—better known today as The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants or The Three Heroes and Five Gallants—as well as some of its sequels. While the first novel was undoubtedly based on his oral performances, most modern scholars believe Shi died several years before 1879 and played no role in the novel's publication. Nevertheless, his name was prominently displayed on its cover, the first time a Chinese storyteller was credited as a novel's sole author.