Shan Yu: Historical vs. Disney by SerenityNow

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Shan Yu: Historical vs. Disney

POSTED BY: SERENITYNOW
UPDATED: Sunday, February 15, 2004 07:56
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Sunday, February 15, 2004 7:28 AM

Does anyone have any information on the origin for Shan Yu? He was the villain in Disney's "Mulan", based (apparently) on a real historical figure. But of course, the number of internet links on him is ginormous because of the cartoon--I can't seem to find anything about a real guy by that name.

I'm over in Taiwan at the moment, so I'll hunt around to see if I can really find some "writings" by this guy. Which begs the question: am I a complete jerk or are other people interested in reading the works of an evil madman, too? And would anyone else be interested in me translating them and posting them on my website if I /do/ find them? /And/ are any people smarter than me already aware/in possession of such writings? Or did Disney invent the guy and I'm on a wild goose chase?

Come back later for answers to these and other questions. Same bat time, same bat forum. ;)

http://dryope.typepad.com/superfly/

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Sunday, February 15, 2004 7:40 AM

IDGY

Hi. I'm a bit of a newbie, but I'd like to know more about the historical figure. I hadn't made the Mulan connection. I've been pondering the exchange between Simon and Book regarding Shan Yu since I rewatched "War Stories" the other day and I feel that knowing some more about this guy may shed a little light on the subject. Thanks!
Idgy

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Sunday, February 15, 2004 7:41 AM

SERENITYNOW

Here's some information (from http://www.bigscreen.com/ReaderReview.php?movie=Mulan):

"The timeline references [in "Mulan"] are all over the place. Disney seems to set it in Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), which may explain the invading Huns (Hsiung Nus in Chinese history). Hsiung Nus, due to infightings and Han's military campaigns, either moved west or assimiliated into China. It's no longer a threat to China's border after Han Dynasty. I checked Chinese history in an attemp to place Shan Yu, the Hun leader in the movie. I finally realize that it should be Chang Yu (as in Mandarin). It's not a name, but the title of Hsiung Nus' leader."

So could this be the "Shan Yu" that Mishke refers to? Or is there another?

http://dryope.typepad.com/superfly/

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Sunday, February 15, 2004 7:56 AM

SERENITYNOW

More information (still limited) at:
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/5082/names.html

I'm going to post more stuff at my website (below) to keep from taking up space here. But if anyone's interested, please post here--I just don't want to annoy everybody by going off on my own quest in a public place.

http://dryope.typepad.com/superfly/

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