Emperor Kwang-Hsu

Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi

Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control.

Prince Ch'un

Prince Ch'un is the Emperor's uncle, but their relationship is strained due to Prince Ch'un's loyalty to the Empress Dowager.

Lady Yu-Keng

Lady Yu-Keng serves as a translator and intermediary for the Emperor, but he remains distant and formal with her.

Whar-Mou-Lahn

The Emperor and Whar-Mou-Lahn have limited but polite interactions, mostly during court ceremonies and family gatherings.

Wang

Wang serves the Emperor as a eunuch, but their interactions are minimal and overshadowed by the Empress Dowager's influence.

Grand Secretary Yung Lu

The Emperor interacts with Yung Lu as a minister, but their relationship is distant due to Yung Lu's alignment with the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi

Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control.

Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi

Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control.

With the Empress Dowager of China

The young emperor, whose relationship with the Empress Dowager and his role in the court are described, particularly during his birthday festivities.

I: My Presentation and First Day at the Chinese Court

The young Emperor, who enters with the Empress Dowager and is presented to Carl.

II: Personal Appearance of Her Majesty—A Chinese Repast—Boating

Present with the Empress Dowager at the Audience Hall, but not otherwise featured.

III: The Palace of the Emperor’s Father (Prince Ch’un, the Seventh Prince)

Son of Prince Ch'un, lived in these pavilions after being chosen as heir.

V: The Young Empress and Ladies of the Court

Mentioned as the young Emperor, cousin and husband of the young Empress, and having only two wives.

VI: Continuation of the Portrait—Her Majesty’s Dogs

Mentioned as part of the court, but not directly featured in this chapter.

VII: Festivities at Court

His birthday is being celebrated, though the festivities are advanced by two days due to sacrificial obligations.

VIII: His Majesty the Emperor Kwang-Hsu

The subject of the chapter; described in detail physically and psychologically, with emphasis on his patience, intelligence, and the constraints of his position.

IX: The Emperor’s Birthday

Receives congratulations and gifts, dressed in a yellow gown with jade belt buckle, and wears the Imperial Pearl on his hat for the occasion.

XI: Some Characteristics of Her Majesty—Second Visit to the Sea Palace

Mentioned as residing in the palace, but not directly present in this chapter.

XIII: The Steam-Launch—Semiannual Sacrifices to Confucius

Participates in the Confucian sacrifice, kneeling and prostrating, and remains standing during the service.

XIV: The Palace Eunuchs

His Majesty notices a eunuch in Carl's service and promotes him, bestowing a button and a higher rank.

XVI: The Great Audience Hall—Some Official Customs

Described as having held audiences at three a.m. due to shyness, and later as a young ruler who would slip away from the throne during tedious reports.

XVII: The Summer Palace and Its Grounds

Seen returning from ceremonies in Peking, his approach announced by the Empress Dowager.

XVIII: The Festival of the Harvest Moon—Work on the Portrait

The Emperor participates in the Harvest Moon ceremony, making bows and prostrations to the Moon alongside the Empress Dowager.

XIX: A Garden Party at the Summer Palace

Seated at the Empress Dowager's left during the formal reception of the ladies.

XXI: A European Circus at the Palace

Attends the circus, shows interest in horses and fancy riding, and uses opera glasses to screen himself from view.

Palace Customs

He pays respects to the Empress Dowager, joins her for audiences, and dines with her on theater days.

Her Majesty's Anxiety—Her Birthday

Maintains a calm exterior despite anxiety; insists on celebrating the Empress Dowager's birthday with traditional pomp.

XXIV: The Winter Palace

His throne-room is mentioned, and he is said to have given Carl the use of one of his halls for a studio.

XXV: Peking—Beginning the Portrait for St. Louis

Referenced when the Empress Dowager says she will 'speak to the Emperor' about the window changes.

XXVI: Some Social Customs—Manchu and Chinese

Mentioned as having two wives, with the first wife being the stronger character.

XXVII: Present-Giving in China

The Emperor is mentioned in the context of birthday celebrations, where he also receives presents, though the Empress Dowager's birthday surpasses his in the number and elegance of gifts.

XXVIII: Some Winter Days at the Palace

Mentioned in the context of the Emperor's birthday festivities, though not directly present in this chapter.

XXIX: Religious Rites in China

Described as the 'Son of Heaven' and High Priest of the Nature cult, performing sacrifices at the Temple of Heaven and other great temples.

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager

The nephew and adopted son of the Empress Dowager, for whom she served as Co-Regent and who was Emperor during the Boxer Rebellion.

XXXII: The Chinese New Year—Official Audience

Present at the New Year celebrations and the official audience, receiving congratulations from the diplomatic corps.

XXXIII: Continuation of the St. Louis Portrait—Spring Days at the Sea Palace

Inspects new buildings with the Empress Dowager and performs the private plowing ceremony in the Palace grounds.

XXXIV: Finishing and Sending Off the Portrait

Mentioned as part of the Imperial family, though not directly active in this chapter.

XXXV: Return to the Summer Palace

Uses his Throne-room during the author's absence, leaving behind a theater program and papers with drawings related to Manchuria.

Endnotes

Mentioned in the context of filial piety and the Empress Dowager's birthday prostrations.