| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 金大坚, 金大堅, Jīn Dàjiān |
| Nickname | 66 - Earthly Skillful Star - 地巧星 (Dìqiǎo Xīng) - Địa Xảo Tinh; Jade Armed Craftsman (玉臂匠, Yùbìjiàng, Ngọc Tí Tượng) |
| Other name | Kim Đại Kiên |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Tai'an Prefecture (泰安府; phủ Thái An) |
| Death Reason | Retained in Bianjing (汴京, Biànjīng, Biện Kinh) to work as an imperial seal carver in the Palace Secretariat and lived to old age |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Liangshan Marsh |
| Battles | Campaign against the Liao Dynasty, Campaign against Tian Hu, Campaign against Wang Qing, Campaign against Fang La |
Biography & Literary Record
Jin Dajian is a prominent figure in the classic Chinese novel Water Margin. Known by his vivid moniker ‘Jade Armed Craftsman’, he possessed an extraordinary talent for carving jade, stone seals, and engraving intricate inscriptions. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, his narrative highlights the specialized artisanal skills that fueled the rebel stronghold at Mount Liang. As the 66th of the 108 Stars of Destiny, he represents the Earth-Skill Star (地巧星), a title reflecting his unmatched technical precision and artistic ingenuity.
The Artistry and Role of Jin Dajian
His hands could carve the soul of stone, turning simple jade into the voice of authority; he was the master of the silent script, the architect of rebel legitimacy.
In literary lore, the Liangshan outlaws frequently relied on deception to outmaneuver corrupt officials. Paired with the gifted calligrapher Xiao Rang, Jin Dajian applied his consummate craftsmanship to replicate official bureaucratic credentials and imperial stamps to rescue captured allies, including the central leader Song Jiang. His ability to reproduce administrative seals with flawless accuracy made him indispensable during critical intelligence operations and covert campaigns. Following the imperial amnesty and the pacification campaigns, the royal court recognized his rare talents, appointing him within the palace treasury as a chief craftsman.
Jin Dajian — Literary Timeline
Recruitment at Jizhou
Strategist Wu Yong recruits the craftsman alongside Xiao Rang to forge an urgent letter from Grand Preceptor Cai Jing to save Song Jiang from execution in Jiangzhou.
Grand Gathering & Ranking
Following the great assembly of heroes, he takes his permanent post at Liangshan, serving as the chief seal engraver and weaponry supervisor.
Key Relationships
- Song Jiang: The commander of Liangshan whom the artisan saved through decisive document forgery during the Jiangzhou crisis.
- Wu Yong: The chief military strategist who orchestrated the recruitment of specialized craftsmen to bolster the outlaw community.
- Xiao Rang: A peerless scholar and calligrapher who formed a legendary partnership with the engraver, creating deceptive documents of undeniable authenticity.
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