ZHAN ZHAO / KUMARI VAIM  

Zhan Zhao in a Chinese Peking Opera Figure Painting Book

Unidentified Artist - https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/51581

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/51581 

Kumari Vaim in a Chinese Opera Figure Painting Book

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhan_Zhao 

Zhan Zhao (展昭) is a fictional character in the Chinese wuxia classic The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants. Nicknamed the "Nánxiá" (南俠, Southern Hero), he is a righteous knight-errant with incredible martial arts skills, often helping Prefect Bao Zheng uphold justice. Emperor Renzong of Song made him a 4th rank royal guard and gave him the title "Yùmāo" (御貓, Imperial Cat) for his swift movements. 

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Career

He was the royal guard of the palace. He was assigned to work together with Bao Zheng who was a governor of Kaifeng city, the capital city of Northern Song. He was a very honest person who was good at martial arts. In his life he was known for serving Bao Zheng even more than being a royal guard of the imperial court. Zhan Zhao was best known for his martial art skills. He was the body guard of Bao Zheng and the fourth ranking royal guard of the Song's Royal Palace. His title was "The Royal Cat" (御猫, yùmāo). He was the only man who was allowed to enter the Inner Palace armed. People said that he represented the Wu (martial) aspect while Bao Zheng represented the Wen (civil) aspect. He was also the leader of Bao Zheng's guards, namely Wang Chao (王朝), Ma Han (馬漢), Zhang Long (張龍) and Zhao Hu (趙虎).

Before Zhan Zhao became a royal guard, he was just a man traveling around the land. He was highly trained in martial arts. There was one time that he fought against "The Five Rats" who each had a special skill, specializing in water and others underground. Zhan Zhao was once ordered to catch Bai Yutang who was one of the "Five Rats". He invaded their island in order to fight against the five rats. He was able to defeat all of them. Of the Five Rats, Bai Yutang was the best among them and the youngest brother of Five Rats. 

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