Zixia

Zixia (507-425) was the nickname of Bu Shang of Wei. He studied with Confucius then (after Confucius died in 579?) retreated to the countryside, where he lived in a hut he built himself and where he played his qin, happy whether he had visitors or not. He is mentioned in Annals of History because of his connection to Marquess Wen of Wei (ruled 426 - 396 BCE; Wiki).³

Other stories about Zixia playing the qin can be found in,

Qinshu Daquan, Folio 16, #13, from Kongzi Jiayu (V/351);
Compares Zixia's three years' mourning with 閩子 Minzi's
Qinshu Daquan, Folio 16, #31, from Han Shi Waizhuan （V/359).
子夏讀書已畢。夫子問曰：....

The original Qin Shi article goes as follows.

Bu Shang, style name Zixia, was noted for his scholarship within the disciples of the Great Gentleman (Confucius). Having received the Book (of Documents) from the Master its will was implanted in his heart and he could not forget it. Although he retreated to live between the (Yellow) River and the Ji (river), deep within the mountains making an earthen hut with plants draping the door, here he often played qin in order to sing about the Way of former rulers: if someone was there he enjoyed it, if no one was there he enjoyed it, unconcerned about worrying over death.

Zixia had finished the mourning period for his parents when he met Confucius, who gave him a qin. He tried to tune it but was unable to do so. He played at it but was unable to produce a melody. So he got up and said, "My grieving is not yet done. The former sovereigns established the rites but did not dare go on." In olden days when people finished their mourning period they would play a plain qin to show people it had ended. Zixia's intentions were used by people to give hope to carry them out. (#20) Zizhang's aspirations were used to get obedience so they would comply. Although their actions were different, both brought people back to uprighteousness.

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Zi Xia 子夏
7072.386/3 Nickname of 卜商 Bu Shang of 衛 Wei.
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2. 8 lines
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3. Zixia and Marquess Wen of Wei, Wei Si (魏斯魏文侯 Wei Wen Hou)
Annals of History 44 魏世家 discusses this work, which must have occurred before the Wei Si became Marquess. Zixia would have died before the time of Marquess Wen's son 魏擊 Wei Ji, Marquess Wu of Wei (魏武侯 Wei Wu Hou; ruled 396–370)
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