San Tan

Overview

San Tan was a member of the Irgen Gioro clan, a bondservant of the Bordered Blue Banner, during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Muxi for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. The official genealogy of the Eight Banners Manchu clans, Volume 12, compiled during the Qianlong reign, records that he once served as a bow-making assistant commander. His son, Salai, also served as a bow-making assistant commander, and his grandson, Nartai, served as a military officer. The character "Tan" in his mother's name and the title "bow-making assistant commander" are retained; his name was not changed based on similar-sounding characters or as a regular garrison assistant commander.

Bondservants were a specific social class and organizational category within the Eight Banners, not simply equivalent to ordinary employees. The term "bow-making" indicates a connection to the organization of bow makers, while "assistant commander" reflects a managerial title. However, the original text lacks a specific government office, craftsmanship responsibilities, and rank; therefore, the interpretation should be limited to identifiable job categories and cannot be supplemented to indicate a workshop manager or a specific bow-making craftsman.

A military officer was a low-level managerial official within the military organization of the Imperial Guard, involved in matters such as military security. Nartai was a grandson, and his position differed from that of his father and grandfather, who were both bowsmiths. The fact that father and son held the same official title is also insufficient to prove that they formally inherited the same position. This entry is valuable in preserving the fact that artisan management and banner service were seen in several generations of the same family. However, the term of office of San Tan himself, his complete paternal lineage, and the location of Muxi are not recorded, and further verification is needed from the original engraving and institutional archives.