Who’s Wu?
“What was important about the Eastern Wu kingdom? Who led it and what claim did it have on the Imperial Throne?”
Eastern Wu held significant importance due to its maritime power, its strategic location, and its contributions to trade and culture. It was founded by Sun Quan, who was the son of Sun Jian, a prominent warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and the younger brother of Sun Ce “The Little Conqueror”. All three figures play a prominent role in media based around the Three Kingdoms period, but it was Sun Quan who is considered the kingdom’s leader, having declared himself King of Wu in 222 CE and later Emperor of Wu in 229 CE
Eastern Wu's claim to the imperial throne was based on its political and military strength, as well as its connection to the Sun family's lineage. Sun Jian finding the Imperial Seal during the campaign to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion is also considered a significant event due to the seal’s nature as a symbol of imperial authority and legitimacy, although it is believed that he returned the seal to the ruling Emperor of the time.
As Eastern Wu was situated in the southeastern coastal regions of China and along the Yangtze River, it had access to maritime trade routes and naval power which contributed to its economic and military prowess. Its focus on naval power allowed it to maintain control over these important waterways and trade routes, and its maritime strength enabled the kingdom to engage in trade with distant regions and establish cultural exchanges, making significant contributions to literature, art, and culture during this time.
Over time though, Eastern Wu's power waned, and it faced internal and external challenges. In 280 CE, the forces of the Jin Dynasty conquered Eastern Wu, reunifying China under a single ruling dynasty and ending the Three Kingdoms period.
In the Koei Tecmo game series, Dynasty Warriors, the kingdom of Wu is associated with the colour red and is symbolised by a tiger. These associations sometimes find their way into other works too, and I’ve stuck with the colour scheme for this blog as well!
