Yu Yi

Yu Yi
庾翼
General Who Maintains The West
(安西將軍)
In office
340 (340)–344 (344)
MonarchEmperor Cheng of Jin/Emperor Kang of Jin
Inspector of Jingzhou (荊州刺史)
In office
340 (340)–345 (345)
MonarchEmperor Cheng of Jin/Emperor Kang of Jin/Emperor Mu of Jin
Personal details
Born305
Died345
ChildrenYu Yuanzhi
Yu Fangzhi
Parent
  • Yu Chen (father)
OccupationCalligrapher, military general
Courtesy nameZhigong (稚恭)
PeerageMarquis of Duting (都亭侯)
Posthumous nameMarquis Su of Duting
(都亭肅侯)

Yu Yi (305 – 16 August 345[1]), courtesy name Zhigong, was a Chinese calligrapher and military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was a member of the prestigious Yu clan of Yingchuan as the younger brother of the powerful Jin minister, Yu Liang. After Yu Liang died in 340, Yu Yi inherited his military positions, and with his other brother Yu Bing, who handled court affairs, they became a prominent political force during their time. As a commander, Yu Yi led a northern expedition from 343 to 344 against Later Zhao in the north and briefly fought Cheng-Han in the west before his untimely death in 345. Yu Yi's death allowed his former subordinate, Huan Wen, to take up his military command in Jingzhou from his sons with the help of Yi's court rival, He Chong.

Apart from being a general, Yu Yi was also a very gifted calligrapher. He was considered as one of the greatest calligraphers of the Jin dynasty, standing with the likes of Wang Xizhi.

  1. ^ According to Sima Dan's biography in Book of Jin, Yu Yi died on the gengwu day of the 7th month of the 1st year of the Yonghe era of his reign. This corresponds to 16 Aug 345 on the Julian calendar. [(永和元年)秋七月庚午,持节、都尉江荆司梁雍益宁七州诸军事、江州刺史、征西将军、都亭侯庾翼卒。] Jin Shu, vol.08