Chinese Name: Shi Jin

Japanese Name: Kyūmonryū Shishin

Rank: 23rd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Nine Tattooed Dragons

Shi Jin was the only son of Squire Shi, head of the Shi Family Farm and Village. He had porcelain white skin and a full body tattoo of nine dragons. Neglecting his duties on the farm, Shi Jin spent his time developing his skills in the martial arts. His abilities progressed significantly when Drill Instructor Wang Jin came across the Shi Family Farm.

Wang Jin and his mother had been seeking refuge while on the run from the forces of Grand Marshal Gao Qiu. After becoming acquainted with the Shi family, he decided to stay and teach Shi Jin all he lacked in his fighting technique. For six months Wang Jin schooled his new protégé on the many forms of combat and uses of weapons until he had grown to be an expert warrior.

Chinese Name: Chen Da

Japanese Name: Chōkanko Chintatsu

Rank: 72nd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Leaping Tiger

Chen Da was second in command of a group of bandits consisting of 700 men residing at Mount Shaohua. First in command was Zhu Wu (plates 2; 5), and third in command was Yang Chun (plate 5). Chen Da fought with a halberd and was known for his bad temper and impatience.

The bandits of Mount Shaohua were in need of grain so Chen Da led a faction of soldiers to “borrow” some from Huayin County. To reach Huayin, they needed to pass through the Shi Village, and Shi Jin, aware of their intent to pillage the people of Huayin, refused Chen Da passage. A fight broke out between the two that lasted several bouts. Then, when Chen Da leaned in to thrust with his halbert, Shi Jin managed to dodge the blade, grab Chen Da’s armored belt and pull him to the ground. Chen Da’s horse, along with his men, retreated in a cloud of dust. Chen Da was shackled and taken to Shi Jin’s home as prisoner.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As the story unfolded Shi Jin befriends the Mount Shaohua bandits and assumes command of their gang. Later, he gets captured trying to save a young woman who had been abducted by the Governor of Hua Prefecture. Unable to rescue him on their own, the Shaohua bandits requested help from the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh; they agreed to help, and together the two groups successfully rescued Shaohua’s revered leader. Realizing the advantages gained from joining forces, Shi Jin and his troops remained at Liangshan and became part of their legions.

Shi Jin and Chen Da are depicted here in battle—Chen Da having just been pulled from his horse and Shi Jin pinning him to the ground. For more on Shi Jin See plates 4 and 9. For more on Chen Da see plate 3.

Kuniyoshi recreation