The Chenghua Emperor, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Xianzong of Ming (明憲宗), personal name Zhu Jianshen (朱見深), changed to Zhu Jianru (朱見濡) in 1457, was the ninth emperor of the Ming dynasty, who reigned from 1464 to 1487. He succeeded his father, Emperor Yingzong. "Chenghua", the era name of his reign, means "accomplished change".
Palace portrait on a hanging scroll, kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Empress Wang; she became the Chenghua Emperor's second empress after he deposed Empress Wu due to a dispute with Lady Wan. Empress Wang learned from her predecessor's fate and was careful not to cross paths with Lady Wan. However, Lady Wan only had one son who died soon after, causing her to feel threatened by the potential offspring of other consorts. As a result, Empress Wang remained childless out of fear and maintained her position through yielding and careful actions.
Emperor Xianzong (Chenghua Emperor) playing with birds (憲宗調禽圖)
This painting, by an imperial court painter in 1485, depicts the Chenghua Emperor enjoying the festivities with families in the Forbidden City during the Lantern Festival. It includes acrobatic performances, operas, magic shows and setting off firecrackers.
Emperor Yingzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Qizhen, was the sixth and eighth emperor of the Ming dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 until his death in 1464.
Palace portrait on a hanging scroll, kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Stele commemorating rebuilding of the Temple of Yan Hui in Qufu in 1441 (6th year of the Zhengtong era)
Image: 英宗睿皇帝
Image: 孝莊睿皇后 (1)
