ABCs of Longmen: story behind the Yi Que Niche Tablet Inscription

Updated: 2015-09-18

The Yi Que Niche Tablet Inscription, the largest of its kind among the grottoes in China, is situated on the cliff between the Middle Binyang Cave and South Binyang Cave.

The monumental inscription, the content of which was composed by Cen Wenben, chancellor of Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) was written down by another official Chu Suiliang. Chu was a well-known calligrapher in early Tang Dynasty.

The Yi Que Niche Tablet Inscription in Longmen Grottoes [Photo/Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

The tablet inscription is a record of the five statues on the rear wall of South Binyang Cave, built for Empress Zhangsun, by the order of Li Tai, the fourth son of Emperor Taizong. It is actually a eulogy to the Empress’s virtue and Li Tai’s filial piety, experts say.

Li Shimin, the Emperor of Taizong, and the Empress Zhangsun gave birth to three sons and three daughters. Li Tai, the Prince of Wei was the second son of Empress Zhangsun, who had given birth to his older brother Li Chengqian previously and had one other son (Li Zhi), later.

The rubbing of the Yi Que Niche Tablet Inscription in Longmen Grottoes [Photo/Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

Because of his literary talent, Emperor Taizong had great liking for Li Tai, who was “good at writing since young”, according to historical records. Li was commissioned to work as the chief editor of the Journal of Geography (括地志, Kuodi Zhi) at the age of 18.

With the favors of father, Li Tai got more rewards every time than his older brother, the crown prince Li Chengqian. Gradually, Li Tai had started having greedy eyes on the position of crown prince.

Part of the rubbing of Yi Que Niche Tablet Inscription [Photo/Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]

On the 10th year of Zhenguan Reign (AD 636), Empress Zhangsun died of illness. Li Shimin was grieving over his loss of love. The Prince of Wei took it as an opportunity to show his pure filial piety and asked for the opening of grottoes to build statue for his mother in Longmen.

Li Tai’s emperor dream ended when he and Li Chengqian broke into fierce fight, which caused severe destruction to both sides. And after being exiled by Taizong, Li Tai died at the age of 35.

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A portrait of Li Tai (Right) [Photo/Longmen Grottoes on WeChat]