(Illustrated Edition) Three Hundred Poems of Tang and Song (Complete Four Volumes)

Author: Guangming Daily Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features:
1. Poetry and Paintings Complement Each Other, Exquisite Beauty
"To have poetry within painting and painting within poetry" is the highest realm of poetry and lyrics; "to have poetry and lyrics within painting" is the highest realm of painting; "poetic sentiment and artistic conception, lyrical rhyme and ink fragrance" represent the highest realm of the book. This book is accompanied by the masterpieces of renowned Chinese calligraphers and painters from ancient times, perfectly blending poetry, lyrics, and paintings into an unparalleled collection of beauty.
2. Detailed Annotations and Analysis, Illuminating the Essence
Every work is annotated and analyzed by experts, helping readers appreciate the subtleties of the pieces. The annotations throughout the book are accurate and appropriate, while the descriptive text is concise and elegant, complementing the original works.
3. Full-Color Printing, Exquisite Binding
Tang poetry and Song lyrics are two towering peaks in the history of Chinese literature. Among the splendid scroll of Chinese civilization, Tang poetry and Song lyrics stand out as the most magnificent chapters. China is a land of poetry, where poetry is the soulful lament of the Chinese people and embodies their romantic spirit and cultural temperament. Tang poetry and Song lyrics represent the pinnacle of Chinese literary achievement, with poetry at its zenith during the Tang Dynasty and lyrics during the Song Dynasty, underscoring their significant status and profound influence. As condensed masterpieces of Tang poetry and Song lyrics, Three Hundred Tang Poems and Three Hundred Song Lyrics are revered as timeless classics of Chinese culture, cherished and widely read. Since their creation, these works have been celebrated by great figures and scholars, enjoyed by nobles and merchants, and passed down as family treasures. Wherever Chinese culture has spread, the recitation of Three Hundred Tang Poems and Three Hundred Song Lyrics can be heard, and they will continue to be passed down through the ages, weathering the storms of time.
Tang poetry, building upon the legacy of earlier dynasties, reached the pinnacle of Chinese poetic achievement. This era saw a succession of renowned poets and flourishing schools of thought. The Tang Golden Age was heralded by Wang Bo, Yang Jiong, Lu Zhaoren, and Luo Binwang, known as the "Four Masters of Early Tang." Between the early and mid-Tang periods, Chen Zi'ang played a pivotal role in bridging the past and the future, vigorously advocating for the "spirit of Han and Wei" and significantly influencing the bold style of mid-Tang literature. During the high Tang era of Kaiyuan and Tianbao, Tang poetry achieved unprecedented brilliance. This period not only produced two great poets—Li Bai and Du Fu—but also a galaxy of talents. He Zhi Zhang, Wang Changling, Wang Zhihuan, Cui Hao, Gao Shi, Chen Can, Meng Haoran, and Wang Wei were among the luminaries who thrived in this literary golden age, leaving behind timeless masterpieces. In terms of creative methods and styles, the era was a dazzling display of diversity, with frontier school, landscape school, pastoral school, realism, and romanticism each dominating the scene, competing in splendor. The achievements of Li Bai and Du Fu marked the pinnacle of Tang poetry, after which it entered a period of decline. By the middle Tang period of Yuanhe and Changqing, Tang poetry surged once again. Bai Juyi, Liu Zhihuan, Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Meng Jiao, Jia Dao, and Li He were among the outstanding poets of this era. After the resurgence of middle Tang poetry, the late Tang period saw a decline, but it also produced two important figures—Du Mu and Li Shangyin.
As a treasure of Chinese civilization, Tang poetry left an indelible mark on later generations, its brilliance undiminished to this day, ever-fresh and enduring.
Lyrics are the soul of Song Dynasty literature, inheriting the legacy of the late Tang and Five Dynasties period when the form began to flourish. Through the creative efforts of numerous talented writers, lyrics reached dazzling heights. The early short lyrics of and are like early blossoms heralding the arrival of spring on the Song Dynasty literary scene. The great literary figure pioneered a fundamental shift with his long lyrics, drawing inspiration from folk music and employing a simple narrative style, thus opening a new chapter in the development of Song lyrics. Su Shi's lyrics stand as a milestone in the evolution of the form, differing from 's sentimental approach. His style was bold and expansive. The prevailing belief that "lyrics were a vulgar genre" was firmly established in his time, but Su Shi successfully challenged this tradition. The circle of lyricists centered around Su Shi in the Yuanyou period represented the zenith of Song Dynasty lyricism, with a host of talented names like , , , , and , all producing many outstanding works.
After Su Shi, the Song Dynasty lyric scene was marked by the regulated-style lyrics of , with a balanced yet distinct style. In the late Northern Song Dynasty, the outstanding female lyricist emerged, carving out a unique path beyond the styles of "Su's grandeur," "Liu's sentimentality," and "Zhou's regulation," establishing her renowned "Yi'an Style."
The Southern Song Dynasty lyric scene, shaped by the fall of the north and the transformation of national destiny, took on a different hue. Represented by , the central theme of his lyrics was the unwavering belief in restoring the north and unifying the motherland. Su Shi's school of bold lyricism was transplanted into the fertile soil of patriotism, flourishing immensely. Prominent lyricists of this period included , , and .
As a vast literary and artistic hall of the Chinese nation, Song lyrics left an inexhaustible legacy for later generations. Together with Tang poetry, they have nourished the souls of generations of Chinese people, serving as timeless remedies for the human spirit.