Overview
This lecture recounts the legend "The Soul of the Great Bell," describing the creation of a giant bell in Ming Dynasty China and the self-sacrifice of Kongai to save her father and fulfill the emperor's command.
The Emperor’s Command
- The Ming emperor Yongle ordered the creation of a massive bell to be heard for 100 li (a Chinese unit of distance).
- The bell was to be made of brass, gold, and silver, and engraved with sacred verses.
- The task was entrusted to the official Kuan Yu.
Failed Attempts at Casting the Bell
- Master craftsmen repeatedly failed to blend the metals; the alloys would not fuse properly.
- Each casting attempt resulted in a flawed bell, with cracks and splits.
- After two failures, the emperor threatened Kuan Yu with death if the third try failed.
Kongai’s Sacrifice
- Kongai, Kuan Yu’s devoted daughter, sought help from an astrologer to save her father.
- The astrologer said the metals would only blend if the flesh and blood of a maiden were mixed in the metal.
- During the third attempt, Kongai threw herself into the molten metal, sacrificing her life.
The Perfect Bell and Its Legacy
- Kongai’s sacrifice allowed the metals to finally merge and the bell was cast perfectly.
- The bell was beautiful, flawless, and its sound was deep and powerful, reminiscent of Kongai's name.
- Legend says the bell’s tone contains a sorrowful moaning, interpreted as Kongai crying for her lost shoe.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Li — a traditional Chinese unit of distance.
- Mandarin — a high-ranking Chinese official.
- Crucible — a container used for melting and fusing metals at high temperatures.
- Yongle — the Ming emperor who commissioned the bell.
- Kongai — daughter of Kuan Yu, who sacrifices herself for her father.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the legend’s main plot points and character motivations for literary analysis.
- Prepare for discussion on the theme of filial piety and sacrifice in Chinese folklore.