Dai Kui

Also known as Zi Andao · Dai Andao

Dai Kui, courtesy name Andao, from Zhi county in Qiao Commandery, was a celebrated Eastern Jin recluse and artist. He wrote well and excelled at painting figures and landscapes, and he pioneered dry-lacquer techniques for large Buddhist statues. A fine qin player, he smashed his instrument rather than perform on command for the Prince of Wuling. He declined repeated court appointments and lived in retirement at Shan county in Kuaiji. He is the friend whom Wang Huizhi set out to visit by boat on a snowy night, only to turn back at his door.