Who sent the brocade letter from the clouds: A Collection of Song Dynasty Anthologies

Author: Wang Guoqin (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Poetry and Ci are the two main literary forms in ancient China. Because the Tang Dynasty emphasized the creation of poetry while the Song Dynasty emphasized the creation of Ci, there is the stylistic term "Tang Poetry and Song Ci." Because Tang poets also wrote Ci and Song Ci writers also composed poetry, there is also the general term "Tang and Song Poetry and Ci." However, both terms only convey one truth: "Poetry" and "Ci" are two unparalleled artistic peaks in the history of Chinese literature. The title of this volume, "Song Anthology," is selected from the famous Ci "A Single Plum Blossom" by the renowned Song Dynasty female Ci poet Li Qingzhao: "Red lotus fragrance fades, jade mat feels autumn cool. Gently unfastening silk robes, I ascend the orchid boat alone. Who sends a letter from the clouds? Wild geese return, moon fills the west tower. Flowers drift like snow, water flows on its own. One kind of longing, two places of idle sorrow. This feeling cannot be erased by any means. Just as it fades from the brow, it rises to the heart." Although the language of this Ci is restrained, it expresses subtlety, creates a gentle and elegant atmosphere, and conveys profound emotions, making it a representative classic work of Song Ci. The entire Ci contains no deliberate expression, purely the psychological activity and inner monologue of the female protagonist. The descriptions "One kind of longing, two places of idle sorrow" and "Just as it fades from the brow, it rises to the heart" naturally, skillfully, and sincerely convey a sense of longing and helplessness.
Poetry and Ci are the two main literary forms in ancient China. Because the Tang Dynasty emphasized the creation of poetry while the Song Dynasty emphasized the creation of Ci, there is the stylistic term "Tang Poetry and Song Ci." Because Tang poets also wrote Ci and Song Ci writers also composed poetry, there is also the general term "Tang and Song Poetry and Ci." However, both terms only convey one truth: "Poetry" and "Ci" are two unparalleled artistic peaks in the history of Chinese literature. The title of this volume, "Song Anthology," is selected from the famous Ci "A Single Plum Blossom" by the renowned Song Dynasty female Ci poet Li Qingzhao: "Red lotus fragrance fades, jade mat feels autumn cool. Gently unfastening silk robes, I ascend the orchid boat alone. Who sends a letter from the clouds? Wild geese return, moon fills the west tower. Flowers drift like snow, water flows on its own. One kind of longing, two places of idle sorrow. This feeling cannot be erased by any means. Just as it fades from the brow, it rises to the heart." Although the language of this Ci is restrained, it expresses subtlety, creates a gentle and elegant atmosphere, and conveys profound emotions, making it a representative classic work of Song Ci. The entire Ci contains no deliberate expression, purely the psychological activity and inner monologue of the female protagonist. The descriptions "One kind of longing, two places of idle sorrow" and "Just as it fades from the brow, it rises to the heart" naturally, skillfully, and sincerely convey a sense of longing and helplessness.