Selected Poems of Xie Lingyun and Bao Zhao: Classical Poetry Masterpieces

Author: Hu Dalei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Xie Lingyun is the pioneer of Chinese landscape poetry, and Bao Zhao is one of the most outstanding poets of the Yuan period. Their poems complement each other and have had a significant influence on later poets. This book selects 53 of Xie's poems and 66 of Bao's, arranged chronologically, with detailed annotations and explanations. It reflects the faces of their works and is very helpful for understanding their poetry and Chinese medieval poetry.
Xie Lingyun (385–433) was a poet between the Jin and Song dynasties. Originally from Chen State Yangxia (now Taikang, Henan), he was the grandson of Xie Xuan and inherited the title of Kangle Marquis, hence the posthumous name Xie Kangle. Xie Lingyun was born in Shining, Kuaiji (now Shangyu, Zhejiang). Shortly after his birth, he was fostered by the Du family in Qiantang. At the age of 15, he returned to Jiankang, so he was given the childhood name Ke'er, and later known as Xie Ke. The Xie and Wang families were both leaders of the high aristocracy since the Eastern Jin dynasty. Xie Lingyun received a good cultural education in his youth, and his talent was recognized early by his cousin Xie Hun. He competed with his cousins Xie Zhan and Xie Hui, becoming one of the outstanding figures of the Xie family. In the first year of the Yixi reign (405), Xie Lingyun joined the court as a staff member of the Grand Marshal of Langya Wang De Wen. The following year, Liu Yi, the governor of Yuzhou, moved his headquarters to Gusu (now Dangtu, Anhui), appointing Xie Lingyun as a secretary. Liu Yi and Liu Yu were both commanders of the Northern Army, with Liu Yi slightly inferior in status to Liu Yu. Later, Liu Yi's power expanded, and he gradually opposed Liu Yu. During the conflict between the two Liu, Xie Hun supported Liu Yi. In the eighth year of the Yixi reign, Xie Hun was killed by Liu Yu. In the ninth year, Liu Yi committed suicide in battle. However, Liu Yu still adopted a lenient and accommodating attitude toward the Xie family, appointing Xie Lingyun as a staff member of the Grand Tutor.
Bao Zhao (412?–466), styled Mingyuan, was from Donghai (now part of Jiangsu). His family was poor. When Prince Linhai Liu Zixu governed Jingzhou, Bao Zhao served as a staff member of the advance guard. When Liu Zixu rebelled, Bao Zhao was killed by rebel soldiers. He excelled in Yuefu poetry, and his seven-character poems played a significant role in the development of Tang Dynasty poetry. He has a collection titled Bao Canjun Ji.