25.

Yan Han (1916-2011)

An Illustration Lu Xun’s Short Story Kong Yiji

1973

Woodblock print

24 x 14 cm

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In China’s traditional education system, advancement depended on passing official exams. Kong Yiji is a failed scholar, but refuses to do menial work, stealing to avoid starvation. Someone he stole from broke his legs, and here he walks on his hands to his regular tavern. Kong Yiji is mocked and scorned by the other customers. The story expresses Lu Xun’s rejection of the imperial examinations, people’s time-wasting efforts to pass them, and people’s indifference to the sad plight of others.

Muban Educational Trust registration number yanhv015