Chinese Name: Ruan Xiaowu

Japanese Name: Tanmeijirō Genshōgo

Rank: 29th of the 108 Stars of Destiny  

Nickname: The Short Lived 

Ruan Xiaowu lived in the village of Shijie which was located near Liangshan Marsh. He was the middle of three brothers—the eldest being Ruan Xiao’er (plate 103) and the youngest Ruan Xiaoqi (plate 21). They were all excellent swimmers and were very good at fighting under water. Ruan Xiaowu was a heavy gambler but never had much success with it. He is described as having a leopard tattoo on his chest.

The three brothers worked as fishermen in the waters of Liangshan Marsh, but all the larger fish swam in the area of the bandit stronghold there, and the brothers feared being looted—the income from their fishing business had been severely diminished since the arrival of the bandits at Liangshan Marsh.

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Wu Yong and Chao Gai (see plate 14) planned to rob a very valuable convoy of birthday gifts being sent to Prime Minister Cai. Wu Yong suggested recruiting the Ruan brothers because of their fearlessness and loyalty. Upon being asked to join in the venture, the three brothers unanimously agreed, knowing this would be a way out of their impoverished state. 

The robbery was a success, but when one of their men was captured, he confessed under torture. Chao Gai received word the authorities were out to apprehend him and his team of thieves including the Ruan brothers—so they fled to the bandit stronghold at Liangshan Marsh to seek refuge there. Not long after their arrival, they encouraged a mutiny where Liangshan’s leader, Wang Lun, was killed by Lin Chong (plate 19). 

Plates 18, 19, and 20 form a triptych arranged from left to right depicting the scene where Lin Chong attacks and kills Liangshan’s first leader, Wang Lun. In this third part of the triptych Ruan Xiaowu is shown holding one of Wang Lun’s men at bay.  See plate 95 for more on Ruan Xiaowu. 

Kuniyoshi recreation