Top Ten Famous Courtesans in Chinese History

Author: Chang Shuang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Gei nu, or courtesans, were women who performed songs and dances, sold their company, and entertained guests with their charm. Gei nu were hybrids of fortune and misfortune. Their talent and beauty made many roguish and poetic figures admire and adore them; their lives in brothels drew the scorn and ridicule of upright and honorable men. They could be said to be a cluster of beautiful poppies blooming in the fertile soil of the human world. Gei nu were historical anomalies, embodying the traces of feudal politics and culture. Studying history cannot avoid mentioning them; writing biographies of historical figures cannot but include them. This book depicts and comments on ten gei nu from the Southern Dynasties to the early Republic of China, spanning over 1,500 years. They are: Su Xiaoxiao, Sai Jinhua, and Xiao Fengxian. They are the spirits among women, some of whom were exceptionally talented and renowned in literature, such as Xue Tao, Dong Xiaowan, and Liu Rushi; some possessed extraordinary skills and were celebrated in the opera world, such as Li Laoshi, Li Xiangjun, and Dong Xiaowan; and some were bold and strategic, participating in politics, such as Chen Yuanyuan, Sai Jinhua, and Xiao Fengxian. Based on historical records, the author uses the style of historical biography to write about the lives and backgrounds of these famous gei nu, their social interactions and elegance, their talents and minds, and their struggles and resistance. The main theme is to portray the duality of fame and obscurity, luxury and sorrow, as well as the complex lives of these gei nu in specific eras. It highlights the bright spots and stains in their historical trajectory, reflecting the tragic fate of women in feudal society. For example, Sai Jinhua, who sold herself into a brothel and was forced into prostitution, was considered a lowly and shameless woman. Yet at critical moments, she stood up to rescue her fellow suffering compatriots, demonstrating unwavering integrity. Readers can judge right from wrong for themselves. This book pays attention to the narrative of the historical and cultural background, helping readers understand the history of Chinese prostitution. In terms of writing style, it strives to combine historical and literary elements, making it highly readable.