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° The Great Wall ° Mahjong ° Opium Wars ° Shaolin (Kung Fu) ° The Jews of Kaifeng (Henan Province)

Henan Province

Kaifeng in its golden age was a masterfully designed city, with three sets of city walls, at the center of which was the elaborate Forbidden City where the emperor and his court were located.

The Jews of Kaifeng

For 166 years, beginning in 960 C.E., China was ruled by the emperors of the Song Dynasty from their capital at Kaifeng, a bustling metropolis straddling the legendary Silk Road that linked their sprawling domain to its trading partners in the West. During the late Tang and early Song, China was in turmoil. Buddhist persecution was followed by internal disorder and the “barbarians” were knocking on the gates of China.  Large numbers of people left their homes and wandered in search of safer places, and by the time the Song had finally reestablished some sort of order, many Chinese residents had already been living under the Jurchen in relative peace. 

The Song Emperors were determined to return those refugees back to China. A memorial suggested that the emperor invite and welcome the refugees back. Among the returnees was a band of Jews, some of them merchants, probably of Persian birth or ancestry, who accepted the invitation and was granted an audience in the imperial palace. The emperor accepted the tribute of cotton goods they had brought to him, saying, “You returned to my China. Honor and observe the customs of your ancestors."

The Jewish community lived within the city walls, dwelling in close proximity to the community’s first synagogue, built in 1163, whose construction was commemorated in a stele dated to 1489.  Unlike many of their medieval co-religionists, the Jews of Kaifeng, it appears, were largely unscathed by discrimination or persecution.

The Song Emperors, based in Kaifeng, held the Jews in high esteem. And the Jews maintained good relations with their local Chinese neighbors. Within several hundred years, many of Kaifeng’s Jews, who at their peak numbered several thousand (some estimate as high as five thousand), lost knowledge of the Hebrew language. And yet, a key feature of traditional Jewish life remained throughout the entire existence of the community: Jews in Kaifeng abstained from eating pork. Another distinctive feature of the Kaifeng community also survived: One of the Song Emperors, who could not pronounce the Hebrew names of the Jews in his realm, bestowed on them seven Chinese family names.

In 1489, the descendants engraved the emperor's words along with their rituals and core beliefs on a stone tablet. They placed the tablet in the courtyard of the synagogue constructed in the year 1163 at the intersection of Kaifeng's Earth Market and Fire God Streets.

The first Western Jew to visit Kaifeng did so for ten days in July of 1867. Jacob L. Liebermann, an Austrian Jewish merchant, wrote a series of ten letters to his father. He described that while the Jews lamented their degree of assimilation, they also recounted stories of a brighter past. It was not until the turn of the century, however, that Jews, then living in Shanghai, made a concerted effort to establish close contact with the Chinese Jews in Kaifeng, attempting to help resuscitate the community. This was in response to their discovery that a year earlier, in 1899, the Jews sold the last remaining Torah scroll to the Apostolic vicar of the Haan Mission, a Monsignor Volonteri.

Pepper, Silk & Ivory

The successful Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews who had taken up residence in Shanghai during the 19th century, represented best by the Sassoons and the Kadoories, however, became alarmed when they learned of the sale of the Torah schools and the generally decayed state of the Kaifeng Jewish community. Banding together they formed the Shanghai Committee for the Rescue of the Chinese Jews in 1900, hoping to save the Kaifeng Jews from spiritual oblivion. Communication with Kaifeng prompted several Kaifeng Jews to travel to Shanghai where they reported that they still observed some of the Jewish dietary laws, and that some were even circumcised, but that the community no longer consisted of practicing Jews. When pogroms and immigration of the Russian Jews began to occur soon after, however, attention and funds were diverted from the original intention of rebuilding a synagogue for the Kaifeng Jews. Almost all those who had come to Shanghai hoping to find some Western Jews who could help rebuilt their community, returned to Kaifeng realizing that the former grandeur of their synagogue and pride as a Jewish community were never again to be.

February 4, 1902, San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

CONSPIRATORS PLOT DEATH OF EMPRESS 
Make Two Attempts to Murder the Chinese Dowager. 
Spear is Hurled at Her and the Kaifeng Palaces Are Set Afire. 
Suspects Are Tortured With Hot Irons Until One of Their Number Makes a Confession. 
Special Dispatch to the Call

Two Women and the Qing Dynasty: The dawn of the flourishing age and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang  (Chinese Edition) Tz'u Hsi, Tsu Hsi, or Tse Hsi, 1834 - 1908, dowager empress of China (1861 -1908) and regent (1861-73, 1874-89, 1898- 1908). Her failure to realize the gravity of the foreign threat to China kept her from supporting modernization, thus driving reformers into opposition to the Ch'ing dynasty. She was a consort of Emperor Hsien Feng (d. 1861) and bore his successor, T'ung Chih. On her child's death (1875) she named her infant nephew Kuang-hsu to the throne, although he was not in the direct line of succession. In 1898 she resumed the regency after he had attempted to institute political reforms against her wishes, and thereafter she ruled directly. She resisted foreign encroachment by encouraging the unsuccessful Boxer Uprising. In her last years Tz'u Hsi abandoned her conservatism to some extent and consented to several modernizing measures; schools were established, traditional civil service examinations were discontinued, the army was reorganized, railroad building was encouraged, and opium cultivation was suppressed. Her last official act was the appointment of Pu Yi, a remote claimant, as emperor.

VICTORIA, B. C, Feb. 3. The steamer Glenesk of the Dodwell line, which has arrived here from Yokohama and other ports of the Orient, brought news of an extensive anti-dynastic conspiracy in which the well known Chinese reform association, which has branches, in every part of the world, is alleged to have been more or less involved. With these advices came an account of an unsuccessful attempt by conspirators to destroy the palaces in which the Empress Dowager and her court were residing at Kaifeng, while en route to Peking, and thus cause the death of the Chinese rulers and those with them. This was the second attempt on the life of the Empress, for one of the conspirators hurled a spear at her while the cortege was en route to Peking. He was killed on the spot.

The North China Daily News says that after the failure of the attempt to burn the Kaifeng palaces a number of the incendiaries were captured by the Honan authorities. They were tortured, with a view of extorting confessions. The unfortunate captives were placed in large bamboo cages, with only their heads protruding. Hot irons were applied to the legs of some and under this torture one of the conspirators, a young man of 18 years, broke down and gave the details of the conspiracy. To this "confession" all of the prisoners were, forced to append their signatures.

In the confession it was stated that a numerous body of men had been especially detailed to destroy the Chenting-Peking railway, while other bands of armed men had been ordered to fire at the imperial train from various vantage points. Search was made in a house where two of the conspirators were arrested, and there were found a number of detailed reports on the strength of the garrisons of almost every walled city of the Chinese Empire, their capability of resistance, the character of the men and their officers, and other papers relating to the defense of the cities of the empire in fact information such as would be gathered by an army preparing to go to war. A dozen or more volumes were found containing the names of the Honan members of the two secret societies, Kolao Hui and Tatoa Hui, interested in the proposed rebellion against the Manchu dynasty.

Viceroy Yuan Shih-Kai at once took steps to safeguard the imperial party and it made the journey safely to Peking. Viceroy Yuan Shih-Kai had the railway guarded from Chenting to Peking, with encampments of all his available troops on both sides of the line throughout its entire extent. At the same time he ordered mounted troops to search the country for fifteenli on either side of the railway, with orders to scatter any body of men exceeding two or three in number and arrest any suspicious characters in sight at the time of the passing of the train.

The discovery of the plot had one good effect, for had it not been unearthed the court would not have returned to Peking for some time. It was intended to remain at Kaifeng, and after a start was at length made from there stops were to have been made in Chenting and Paoting.

August 13, 1902, San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

CLANS OF CHINESE JEWS IN INTERIOR PROVINCE 
Lost for Centuries, but Still Venerate Adam, Abraham and Moses.

Shanghai correspondence to the Philadelphia North American says: Deep in the heart of an interior Chinese province is hidden a band of Chinese Jews. Now that peace has been restored throughout the Flowery Kingdom, the Jewish colony of this city intends opening communications with its Mongolian coreligionists in order to establish close relations.

It has been known for some time that such a tribe existed. Occasionally travelers have brought from Kaifeng Fu the news of a strange sect that did not follow the religious teachings of Buddha, Mohammed or Confucius, but worshiped according to the laws of Moses. An attempt was made to reach them some fifty years ago, but it was thwarted by the Tai Ping rebellion. Again within the last three years the Boxer insurrection brought failure to a similar effort.

Altogether there are said to be seven clans in the colony, with a male membership of probably 140. How they came to China, and from which of the original tribes they descend is a problem which Hebraic scholars will have to decide. Their present condition is deplorable, and their religious observances have degenerated, but this is not surprising in view of their complete isolation from worshipers of their own faith. They have no tribal leader, no synagogue and no school in which to educate their children, but they have staunchly resisted the influence of Buddhist and Mohammedan neighbors, and venerate above all things a well stone on which is engraved the names of Moses, Abraham and Adam.

They have a few traditional commands that they remember and observe. They never use heathen musical instruments in marriage ceremonies. They take out sinews before preparing the meat for their food and are prohibited to eat pork. They did not know until recently of the existence in any part of the world of any Jews besides themselves. Their first knowledge of their outside co-religionists was when they received the message which local Jews sent to them.

December 3, 1903, San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

INTENDS VACATING PEKING. 
Empress Dowager "Will Go to Kaifeng " in the Event of Hostilities.

VICTORIA, B. C, Dec. 2. The Iyo Maru, which arrived to-day, brought news that according to Peking reports the Empress Dowager and court intend vacating Peking in favor of Kaifeng, in Honan, should hostilities occur with Russia. Viceroy Yuan Shih Kai and his foreign-drilled troops are reported to have received orders to proceed to Kwang Si to crush the revolution, which is assuming such large proportions in that province. This revolution is being aided by Chinese in America and other countries. Advices from Port Arthur tell of the sinking of a steam launch belonging to the Russian cruiser Askold by a Japanese steamer, the Kanko Maru. Two Russians were drowned. The Russians held the Japanese vessel and the commander of the Askold proceeded on board and interrogated the Japanese master. Subsequently the steamer was released. She was not damaged and proceeded to Japan.

At the Japanese army maneuvers now proceeding, in which 40,000 troops are engaged, the Emperor, after cordially receiving Sir Cyprian Bridge, British admiral on the China station, and other foreign officers, conferred orders on forty-seven military men, of whom forty were Chinese, others being Russian, French, German and Dutch. The Emperor viewed an engagement which took place in a wide expanse of rice fields near Furusato.

A review was held by the Emperor at Shimejl on November 16, followed by an Imperial banquet attended by the principal Japanese officers and visiting military men, 1000 being present.

November 20, 1920, Sausalito News, Sausalito, California, U.S.A.

GIRLS WITH HAIR CUT ARRESTED IN CHINA

London. Girl students at Kaifeng, China, are being arrested by the police for walking about the streets with their hair cut short. Following the agitation for mixed education the cutting short of hair by girl students found sway in Honan, the central province of China, which is usually more conservative than other provinces. Warnings by the authorities against the practice having had no effect, the police are now arresting all offenders.

Shaolin Temple

Towards the end of the 5th Century C.E. Bada, a Buddhist Monk from India, was traveling through China following the path of, and teaching Buddhism. He guided anyone who wanted his help. His wisdom and kindness was such that it came to the ears of the Emperor who summoned him to the Palace. Bada's sincerity persuaded the Buddhist Emperor, Xiaowen, to build a temple in the Shao mountain forest in the Song Mountains so that he would have a place to teach Hinyana Buddhism. When Bada opened his teachings, Hui Guang and Seng Chou were among his first group of disciples.

Bodhidharma, known as DaMo in Chinese came to the Temple in 527 A. D. the third year of Emperor Xiaochang. Bodhidharma, the 28th-Dharma successor in the direct line of patriarchs descending from the original founder of Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha, traveled to China in the old Liang dynasty's capital of Nanjing (Luoyang was Beiwei's capital in the north and Liang's capital was Nanjing in the south). Given a poor reception by Emperor Liangwu, Bodhidharma moved across the Yangtze River to the Shaolin Temple.

Instead of residing in the temple hall, he took up residence in a cave in the middle of the Five Breasts Peaks. There he stayed facing the cave wall, meditating and studying for nine years. It was said that during this period Bodhidharma reached enlightenment and from it developed a new sect of Buddhism known as Chan (Zen as in Japanese) Buddhism.

During the late Qing Dynasty, Shaolin martial arts were not allowed to be practiced. Shaolin monks were forced to practice at night in closed doors, which evidenced by many holes in one practicing room, and some of the great martial monks went to the southern parts of China. At this period, southern styles were modified and many new forms were developed, such as Flying Whip, Iron Palm, Fire Cane, Tornado Whip, Xuan Hua Ax, and so on. The southern migration eventually spread throughout South Asia, then the rest of the world. Many popular styles in the United States today like Hongquan (Hung Guar), Yonchunquan (Wing Chun) were developed from the Shaolin system during this period.

During the reign of Emperor Taiding (1322-1327) in Yuan Dynasty, a Japanese monk named Dazhi came to study Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Gongfu at the Shaolin Temple. Dazhi studied at the temple for over thirteen years, and later taught Shaolin Gongfu to many in Japan after his return. In 1379, the Japanese monk Shaoyuan resided in the Temple, serving first as the temple's secretary, and later as assistant to the master. When he returned to Japan, he taught Shaolin Gongfu to the Japanese and was regarded by his people as the soul of Japan. During the reign of Wanli of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chen Yuanzhe, a disciple of the Shaolin Temple, sailed to Japan to teach Shaolin Gongfu. Yuanzhe taught in Japan for several decades, making hundreds of disciples who spread Shaolin Gongfu throughout Japan. These early "China Hands," as the Japanese called them, were the origin of Karate. In the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, there were hundreds of schools and systems of martial arts in every corner of the country. Many major school systems such as Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang came into being during this period There was much development in open hands fights (Shoubo). Shuaijao also became its own system. During the Ming dynasty, Shaolin Gongfu, especially Shaolin staff, combat fighting, Qigong and Sword, developed to the highest point. It was recorded in Shaolin archives that Shaolin had tens of thousands of martial arts monks. Shaolin formed one of the biggest monk army in history ready to fight for the country to protect Shaolin Temple. In Jiaqing 32nd year (1553), Shaolin martial arts fighters were called by the government to fight the invading Japanese. They defeated many large army of invaders.

Due to the incident of Shaolin Masters rejection of Qing Emperor's offer, the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) opposed the practice of martial arts, especially Shaolin, by the Han people. Qing emperors, were afraid that Chinese of Han origin would overthrow the dynasty and suppressed and forbade any mass practice of the martial arts. Shaolin monks were forced to practice at night behind closed doors and in secrecy. Some of the great martial monks went to the southern parts of China, far away from Beijing. There they taught Shaolin Gongfu to the south. From this diaspora, southern styles were modified and many new forms were developed, such as Flying Whip, Iron Palm, Fire Cane, Tornado Whip, Xuan Hua Ax and others. The Shaolin southern migration eventually spread throughout South Asia and then to the rest of the world. Many popular southern styles like Hongquan (Hung Guar), Yongchunquan (Wing Chun), Shaolin Wuzhuquan were developed during this period. Hongquan was from Hong school, secretly organized by Shaolin disciples against Qing dynasty around 1647. There are two major branches, Hubei Hongquan and Guangdong. Hongquan, which is well known in the U.S., is named after animals or legendary creatures such as dragon, tiger, leopard, lion, horse or monkey. There are 20 open hand forms, 30 major weapon forms and several sparring forms.

During the reign of Emperor Taiding (1322-1327) in Yuan Dynasty, a Japanese monk named Dazhi came to study Chan Buddhism and Shaolin Gongfu at the Shaolin Temple. Dazhi studied at the temple for over thirteen years, and later taught Shaolin Gongfu to many in Japan after his return. In 1379, the Japanese monk Shaoyuan resided in the Temple, serving first as the temple's secretary, and later as assistant to the master.

When he returned to Japan, he taught Shaolin Gongfu to the Japanese and was regarded by his people as the soul of Japan. During the reign of Wanli of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chen Yuanzhe, a disciple of the Shaolin Temple, sailed to Japan to teach Shaolin Gongfu. Yuanzhe taught in Japan for several decades, making hundreds of disciples who spread Shaolin Gongfu throughout Japan. These early "China Hands," as the Japanese called them, were the origin of Karate. In the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, there were hundreds of schools and systems of martial arts in every corner of the country. Many major school systems such as Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang came into being during this period There was much development in open hands fights (Shoubo). Shuaijao also became its own system. During the Ming dynasty, Shaolin Gongfu, especially Shaolin staff, combat fighting, Qigong and Sword, developed to the highest point. It was recorded in Shaolin archives that Shaolin had tens of thousands of martial arts monks. Shaolin formed one of the biggest monk army in history ready to fight for the country to protect Shaolin Temple. In Jiaqing 32nd year (1553), Shaolin martial arts fighters were called by the government to fight the invading Japanese. They defeated many large army of invaders.

Due to the incident of Shaolin Masters rejection of Qing Emperor's offer, the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) opposed the practice of martial arts, especially Shaolin, by the Han people. (Above and right: Shaolin Temple. Birthplace of Kung Fu. Photography: Robert Harding.)

Qing emperors were afraid that Chinese of Han origin would overthrow the dynasty and suppressed and forbade any mass practice of the martial arts. Shaolin monks were forced to practice at night behind closed doors and in secrecy. Some of the great martial monks went to the southern parts of China, far away from Beijing. There they taught Shaolin Gongfu to the south.

From this diaspora, southern styles were modified and many new forms were developed, such as Flying Whip, Iron Palm, Fire Cane, Tornado Whip, Xuan Hua Ax and others. The Shaolin southern migration eventually spread throughout South Asia and then to the rest of the world. Many popular southern styles like Hongquan (Hung Guar), Yongchunquan (Wing Chun), Shaolin Wuzhuquan were developed during this period. Hongquan was from Hong school, secretly organized by Shaolin disciples against Qing dynasty around 1647. There are two major branches, Hubei Hongquan and Guangdong. Hongquan, which is well known in the U.S., is named after animals or legendary creatures such as dragon, tiger, leopard, lion, horse or monkey. There are 20 open hand forms, 30 major weapon forms and several sparring forms.

During the nineteenth century, the monks of Shaolin were accused of violating their monastic vows by eating meat, drinking alcohol and even hiring prostitutes. Many saw vegetarianism as impractical for warriors; this is probably why government officials sought to impose it upon Shaolin's fighting monks.

The temple's reputation received a serious blow during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, when Shaolin monks were implicated (probably incorrectly) in teaching the Boxers martial arts.

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The Jews of Kaifeng, China: History, Culture, and Religion
Xu Xin (Nanjing University)
Describes the culture, rites and history of the Jewish community that lived in the city of Kaifeng in northeastern China. Far removed from the rest of the world, the Kaifeng Jews gradually adopted Chinese customs into their traditional way of life, and intermarried with the non-Jewish populace, so that eventually their descendants were almost completely assimilated.

The Kaifeng Stone Inscriptions: The Legacy of the Jewish Community in Ancient China
Tiberiu Weisz
The author has over 30 years of business and academic experience in Chinese Studies and in China. He is fluent in Chinese and Hebrew, taught Hebrew History and Chinese Religion at local colleges, has published articles and translated a book into Chinese.

The Haggadah of the Kaifeng Jews of China
(Brill Reference Library of Judaism)
Fook Kong Wong, Dalia Yasharpour
The book includes a facsimile of one manuscript and a sample of the other, the full text of the Hebrew/Aramaic and Judeo-Persian Haggadah in Hebrew characters, as well as an English translation. Wong and Yasharpour have provided a unique piece of scholarship in their book The Haggadah of the Kaifeng Jews of China; despite widespread interest in the former Chinese Jewish community of Kaifeng, China, serious scholarship of their Chinese, Hebrew, and Judeo-Persian texts is lacking.

Kaifeng to Shanghai: Jews in China
(Monumenta Serica Monograph Series)
Roman Malek
Illustrated English Edition.

Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China
Sterling Seagrave
Spectacularly told debunking of myth and legend surrounding China's last empress--the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi (1835-1908)--by Seagrave (The Marcos Dynasty, 1988, etc.). Born the obscure daughter of an obscure Manchu officer in 1835, Tzu's notorious ride to fame and power began in the imperial concubinage in 1856, when she gave birth to a boy heir.

Instant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevity
Shifu Yan Lei
For 1500 years, the Qigong workout for longevity has been secretly passed from generation to generation at the Shaolin Temple of Zen in Henan Province, China. Now, a 34th-generation fighting disciple from the temple shows how to optimize energy, alleviate stress, boost the immune system, and achieve optimum health. The workout is shown with easy-to-follow instructions and images, covering everything from stretches and stances to the Instant Health self-massage. This comprehensive guide provides detailed advice on adapting Shaolin Qigong to suit any life stage, and includes training tips, Zen wisdom, and a personalized mind-body workout created especially for the busy Western lifestyle.

The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way
Shi Yan Ming
In New york City's Greenwich Village, Sifu Shi Yan Ming trains men and women of all ages, body types and backgrounds in the fundamentals of kung fu. A 34th generation Shaolin Warrior monk from China's Shaolin Temple--the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the mecca of all martial arts--Yan Ming teaches students that there is no better workout program for getting the body and mind into warrior condition. Illustrated with hundreds of color photographs.

Authentic Shaolin Heritage: Training Methods Of 72 Arts Of Shaolin
Jin Jing Zhong

The Last Empress: A Novel
Anchee Min
The last decades of the nineteenth century were a violent period in China's history, marked by humiliating foreign incursions and domestic rebellions and ending in the demise of the Ching Dynasty. The only constant during this tumultuous time was the power wielded by one woman, Tsu Hsi -- or Empress Orchid. The Last Empress is the story of Orchid's dramatic transition from a strong-willed, instinctive young woman to a wise and politically savvy leader who ruled China for more than four decades. Min presents a compelling leader who assumed power reluctantly and sacrificed all to protect those she loved and an empire doomed to die.