Chu Ci - Image and Text

Author: Qu Yuan et al. (Warring States Period)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features:
"Chu Ci" refers to a new poetic form that emerged in the southern Chu region of China during the Warring States period. It also refers to poems written by the great poet Qu Yuan and later writers using this poetic form, as well as an anthology of these poems compiled together. Therefore, "Chu Ci" has three meanings. The name "Chu Ci" first appeared in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian. Records of the Grand Historian · Biography of the Cruel Officials: "At first, the Chief Historian Zhu Maje, a native of Wuxi, studied the Spring and Autumn Annals. Zhu Maje was sent by Zhuang Zhu to speak on behalf of Maje, who, with Chu Ci, was favored by Zhuang Zhu, became an Attendant at the Court, a Senior Minister, and was entrusted with important matters."
Chu Ci has the following characteristics: First, it has a strong local color; second, Chu Ci fully reflects the struggles of political reform in its time, with distinct characteristics of the era; third, Chu Ci is the crystallization of Chu culture in China's Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Whether in spirit or in the development of poetic art, Chu Ci and Qu Yuan have had a profound and far-reaching influence on history. Without reading Chu Ci, one cannot fully understand the spirit and poetic creativity of Qu Yuan, nor can one fully grasp the great spiritual roots and cultural features of our nation. This is a precious legacy that we should inherit and develop in our creation and exploration. The publication of the illustrated edition of Chu Ci draws on and references a large number of other versions, annotations, and translations, striving for simplicity, clarity, and ease of understanding.