Feng Mengzhen (1546–1605; the birth year is also given as 1548, while another dating gives 3 October 1548–31 January 1606) was a Ming-dynasty poet and official. His courtesy name was Kaizhi (開之), and Kuaixue (快雪) was his studio name and sobriquet. He was from Xiushui; other names associated with him include Feng Kaizhi (馮開之), Feng Juqu (馮具區), Zhenshi Jushi (真實居士), Feng Zhuangjian (馮莊簡), and Zhenshi Jushi (真寔居士).
Life
His great-grandfather was Feng Jing (馮經), his grandfather Feng Zhen (馮震), his father Feng Di (馮第), and his mother Shen (沈氏). His younger brothers were Feng Yingzhen (馮應禎), Feng Yinzhen (馮胤禎), Feng Yongzhen (馮永禎), and Feng Guozhen (馮國禎); he had two wives, Shi (石氏) and Shen (沈氏), the latter his second wife. His examination career included the statuses of shengyuan, xianggong juren, and jinshi; in 1577 he passed the jinshi examination, ranking third in the second class. He was then selected as a shujishi and appointed bianxiu (compiler).
Together with Shen Maoxue and Tu Long, he held integrity in esteem and exchanged letters with both. In 1583 he served as a co-examiner for the metropolitan examination and met Tang Xianzu. His conflict with Zhang Juzheng is described in two ways: one account says that he was dismissed, while another says that he was sent out as judge of Guangde Prefecture. He was later restored and rose to chief administrator (祭酒) of the Nanjing Guozijian. He was impeached and returned home, later moving his household to Hangzhou; he had also visited Qiantang.
Writings and legacy
His family possessed Wang Xizhi's 《快雪時晴帖》, and he accordingly named his hall Kuaixue Hall (快雪堂); Kuaixue also became his studio name and sobriquet. He was a poet accomplished in literary composition and wrote 《歷代貢舉志》, 《快雪堂集》 in sixty-four volumes, and 《快雪堂漫錄》 in one volume.
References
- CBDB Feng Mengzhen (30240)
- 搜韵 馮夢楨 (42646)
- 法鼓佛教人名规范数据库 馮夢禎 (A007548)
- Wikidata Feng Mengzhen (Q10895377)