Inspiring tale of philosopher's younger years prompts new IP

A diverse range of cultural products centering on the inspiring story of Wang Yangming's youth will be produced to promote the profound ideas of the preeminent Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) philosophical thinker and politician among young generations.

The multimedia products, including novels, comics, musicals, animated movies and immersive plays, are going to be created under a new intellectual property series Adventure of a Young Hero, which was launched on Thursday.

Wang's philosophical teachings are rooted in the Confucian tradition and are characterized by belief in the mind as the fundamental principle, the unity of knowledge and action, and the extension of good conscience. These doctrines have been extensively discussed by scholars from various parts of the world.

During his two-year sojourn in Guizhou province, Wang's enlightenment marked the beginning of his "school of mind" philosophy, which emphasizes the cultivation of the "heart-mind" and self-awareness as crucial elements in promoting moral development and social harmony. This has been widely regarded by scholars and experts as a significant contribution to Confucianism, a philosophical and ethical system that emphasizes personal and social morality.

The project, initiated by Guizhou Publishing Group's Dandelion Children's Book House and some other cultural institutions, aims to carry out a long-term plan to continuously produce high-quality cultural products that tell Wang's stories.

It is instructed by the provincial publicity department of Guizhou, Guizhou Federation of Literary and Art Circles and Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

"Guizhou province has recently placed a high emphasis on promoting and spreading 'Yangming culture' through various channels. In addition to Peking Opera and drama productions, we have also explored the use of other media, such as movies, TV shows, animation and theatrical plays," says Xie Nian, deputy director of the provincial publicity department of Guizhou.

"Despite their successes, the cultural products related to Wang have predominantly targeted adult audiences and focused on historical depictions or individual works associated with him. Thus, there is still considerable potential for expanding and modernizing the cultural experience to create a more inclusive and comprehensive appeal for a wider audience."

Zhou Jiong, who is in charge of the project, says that the thoughts of Wang, and the stories of the Confucian cultural tradition, possess a strong basis and have had a great impact on a global scale.

"This provides us with a chance to reiterate them using contemporary language and methods. Moreover, our goal is to establish a series IP revolving around Wang with a worldwide outlook, which would help enhance the reach of Chinese traditional culture."

He notes that a novel under the new IP will be published in June, while a musical will be rehearsed in October and is expected to tour the country next year.

Youth forums focused on Wang's philosophy are scheduled to take place, along with study tours for young people to follow the path of Wang's pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. Beginning in Guizhou, the tour will take them to Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, and eventually to Beijing, where they will have the opportunity to meticulously explore the historical sites and landmarks associated with Wang's philosophical legacy, while also experiencing the natural beauty of the country's landscapes firsthand, according to Zhou.

Li Bo, a researcher of Wang's philosophy and a professor with Nanjing Normal University, says that in today's world where people are confronted with numerous common challenges, learning the thoughts of Wang might help young generations to embrace a brighter future.