Qiu Jin
In the early 1900s, Japan had started to experience western influences earlier than China. As to not fall behind, the Qing government sent many elites to learn from the Japanese. Qiu Jin was one of these elites that got the chance to study overseas. After studying in a women's school in Japan, Qiu returned to China to participate in a variety of revolutionary activities; and through her involvement with these activities, it became clear how Qiu wanted others to perceive her. The names that Qiu Jin adopted for herself amidst the fall of the Qing dynasty suggested her desire to play the role of the knight-errant — a prototypically male figure established in the Han dynasty and known for swordsmanship, bravery, faithfulness, and self-sacrifice. Accordingly, Qiu called herself 'Female Knight-Errant of Jian Lake', as well as 'Vying for Heroism'.