How Were Goldfish Kept in the Song Dynasty Court? Ornamental Fish of Emperors and Nobles
# How Were Goldfish Kept in the Song Dynasty Court? Ornamental Fish of Emperors and Nobles
Last time, we looked at the social background of the Song Dynasty. Economic prosperity, urban culture, artistic refinement... the stage was set for the birth of goldfish.
So, who were the first ones to actually keep red Funa?
It was the Emperors and Nobles.
This time, let's take a peek at the state of goldfish keeping in the imperial court.
From Release Ponds to Court Ponds
Initially in Temple Release Ponds
As I mentioned last time, the red Funa were likely first protected in the release ponds of temples.
Based on the Buddhist teaching of "non-killing", these were places to protect living things. In a safe environment with no natural enemies, red Funa were able to survive.
Discovery in Release Ponds:
- People who came to worship noticed the rare red fish
- Moving emotion of "How beautiful!"
- Monks of the temple also watched over them carefully
This rumor spread, and eventually must have reached the ears of nobles and the Emperor.
Bringing to the Court
Song Emperors and nobles were enthusiastic about collecting beautiful and rare things.
Rare plants, rare stones, rare calligraphy and paintings... and rare fish.
Offering to the Court:
- Local officials discover rare red fish
- Brought back as offerings to the Emperor
- Or nobles obtained them themselves
- Breeding begins in the court ponds
Thus, goldfish moved from temples to the court.
Court Gardens and Ponds
Luxurious Garden Culture
The residences of Emperors and nobles in the Song Dynasty almost always had gardens.
And not just any garden.
Features of Court Gardens:
- Vast grounds
- Artificial mountains (rockeries)
- Winding paths
- Pavilions and gazebos
- And large ponds
These ponds became the home of goldfish.
Pond Structure
Court ponds were designed for viewing.
Ideal Viewing Pond:
- Shallow to medium depth
- Clear water (well-managed)
- Lotuses or water lilies planted
- Stones arranged around the perimeter
- Fish could be looked down upon from bridges or corridors
Sometimes bright colored stones or sand were laid at the bottom of the pond. This made the red fish look even more beautiful.
Breeding in Ceramic Bowls
In addition to large ponds, goldfish were also kept in ceramic bowls.
The Song Dynasty was an era where ceramic technology was extremely developed. Many beautiful pottery pieces like celadon and white porcelain were made.
Advantages of Bowl Breeding:
- Can observe up close
- Can select individuals to keep
- Easy to manage
- The vessel itself is a work of art
Placing beautiful ceramic bowls in garden gazebos or buildings and keeping goldfish in them. This was the beginning of the later "goldfish bowl culture".
Symbol of Wealth and Power
Rarity and Value
The earliest goldfish were extremely rare.
Red Funa born by mutation are few. Among them, particularly beautiful individuals are selected and bred. Because numbers are small, value is high.
Value of Goldfish:
- Difficult to obtain
- Takes effort to breed
- Requires specialized caretakers
- Requires a garden pond
In other words, being able to keep goldfish itself was proof of wealth and power.
Status Symbol
The Emperor and high-ranking nobles are keeping goldfish.
Knowing this, other nobles also start to think, "I want one too!"
Social Meaning:
- Having goldfish = Wealthy
- Having rare varieties = Cultured
- Growing them large = Management ability
- Showing to guests = Boastable
In modern terms, it might be like owning a luxury car or brand items. But goldfish are much more cultural and refined.
Specialized Caretakers
Court Fish Masters
Keeping goldfish requires specialized knowledge.
The court hired specialized caretakers.
Work of Fish Masters (Uoshi):
- Daily feeding
- Water quality management
- Disease treatment
- Breeding management
- Sorting of individuals
These fish masters established goldfish breeding techniques through trial and error.
Development of Breeding Techniques
Feeding Ingenuity:
- What to feed for healthy growth
- How much to give
- Adjustments by season
Water Quality Management:
- How to keep water clean
- Role of water plants
- Frequency of water changes
Breeding Techniques:
- Which individuals to crossbreed
- Patterns of color inheritance
- How to select superior individuals
This knowledge was passed down through generations.
Etiquette of Appreciation
How Did They Enjoy?
How did Song nobles enjoy goldfish?
Scenes of Appreciation:
1. Morning Stroll
- Walking in the garden before breakfast
- Gazing at goldfish by the pond
- Starting the day with fresh air and beautiful fish
2. Appreciation with Guests
- Inviting friends or colleagues
- Enjoying poetry and wine in the garden
- Talking about the beauty of goldfish
3. Object of Meditation
- Quietly gazing at fish
- Zen-like state of mind
- Gaining peace of mind
Goldfish in Poetry
Literati wrote poems about goldfish.
Unfortunately, not many early goldfish poems remain, but we can imagine the atmosphere of the time from later records.
Themes of Poetry:
- Beauty of red fish
- Elegance swimming in water
- Wonders of nature
- Contrast with the transience of life
Goldfish were not just pets, but also sources of artistic inspiration.
Commitment to Color and Shape
Redder, More Beautiful
The first goldfish were probably still close to the shape of Funa.
But court fish masters repeated selection in search of more beautiful individuals.
Points of Selection:
1. Body Color
- More vivid red
- Uniform color
- Metallic luster
2. Body Shape
- Well-balanced body
- Elegant swimming style
- Healthy and active
3. Size
- Moderate size
- Neither too big nor too small
Interest in Strange Individuals
Sometimes, individuals with different characteristics from normal are born.
Examples of Mutation:
- Long tail fins
- High body height
- White spots
- Slightly larger eyes
Some people thought these mutations were "interesting!", while others thought they were "not normal".
But those who thought they were interesting raised those mutant individuals with care. This became the beginning of diverse goldfish varieties later.
Signs of Spread to the Populace
From Nobles to Wealthy Merchants
After the court and high-ranking nobles started keeping goldfish, it gradually spread to other strata.
Process of Spread:
1. Lower Nobles
- Started keeping them imitating upper nobles
- In their own garden ponds
2. Wealthy Merchants
- Have economic power
- Interested in cultural things
- Obtained and kept goldfish
3. Literati and Scholars
- Even if economically moderate
- High aesthetic sense
- Kept in small bowls
Germination of Aquaculture Industry
When demand increases, supply becomes necessary.
Birth of Specialized Aquaculturists:
- People appeared who bred and sold goldfish
- Former court fish masters sometimes became independent
- Made ponds and bred in large quantities
- Sold in markets
It was still expensive and out of reach for commoners, but the business of "selling goldfish" began to take shape.
Goldfish Remaining in Records
Appearance in Literature
In the Southern Song period, descriptions of goldfish began to appear in literature.
Representative Records:
1. "Meng Liang Lu" (Around 1275)
- Record of life in Lin'an (Hangzhou) at the end of Southern Song
- Record that goldfish were sold in the market
- Shows establishment of goldfish as ornamental fish
2. Anthologies of Poetry
- Various poets wrote about goldfish
- "Golden fish", "Vermilion fish"
- Elegant figures in ponds
Goldfish Depicted in Paintings
Goldfish-like fish are also depicted in Song paintings.
In the tradition of bird-and-flower painting, fish were also important motifs. Red fish swimming under lotus leaves... that might have been goldfish.
Unfortunately, there are few clear paintings that can be said "this is definitely a goldfish", but looking at later paintings, we can see that the artistic tradition of goldfish had already begun in the Song Dynasty.
From Song to Yuan: Era of Change
Invasion of the Mongol Empire
In 1279, the Southern Song was destroyed by the Mongol Empire.
A new dynasty called Yuan began. Rule by Mongols.
Social Changes:
- Change of ruling class
- Temporary confusion of culture
- But goldfish culture did not die out
Continuation of Goldfish Culture
Interestingly, goldfish culture continued in the Yuan Dynasty.
The Mongol rulers also accepted Chinese culture. And they recognized the beauty of goldfish.
Development in Yuan Dynasty:
- Goldfish keeping continued
- Varieties increased further
- Spread to populace accelerated
And in the next Ming Dynasty (1368-), goldfish culture would bloom even more greatly.
Summary: Goldfish Culture Started from the Court
Goldfish keeping started in the Song court.
It was not just fish keeping, but a cultural activity.
Significance of Court Breeding:
1. Protection of Rarity
- Rare red Funa were protected
- Breeding techniques developed
2. Establishment of Cultural Value
- Symbol of wealth and power
- Artistic inspiration
- Motifs for poetry and painting
3. Accumulation of Technology
- Breeding by specialized fish masters
- Systematization of knowledge
- Beginning of selective breeding
4. Spread to Society
- From nobles to merchants
- Birth of aquaculture industry
- Path to commoners
Goldfish culture nurtured in the somewhat "privileged" space of the court. But that became the foundation for spreading widely to society.
Next time, we will look at Buddhist release ponds in more detail. How the religious space called temple was involved in the birth and development of goldfish. There are many interesting stories.
Note: This article is an essay for general readers and not a specialized history paper. Since direct historical materials about Song court life are limited, some parts include conjectures from the social situation and cultural background of the time.
Related Articles
- Goldfish's Ancestor is the Crucian Carp! (Part 1)
- Goldfish's Ancestor is the Chinese Crucian Carp! (Part 2)
- What is Mutation? A Biological Explanation (Part 3)
- Mechanism of Goldfish Red Color: Science of Pigment Cells and Light (Part 4)
- What is the Song Dynasty of China? Explaining the Historical Background (Part 5)
- Buddhist Release Ponds Saved Goldfish! Ornamental Fish Culture Nurtured by Temples (Part 7)
