Su Shi's Ci poems

Author: (Song) Su Shi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: His thoughts blend Confucianism and Taoism, with influences from Buddhism and Chan. He could focus on state affairs and the people's livelihood while maintaining independent views, yet also adapt to circumstances and live with equanimity. His extensive knowledge and life experiences shaped Su Shi's poetry, which varied in form, covered broad themes, and presented original ideas, exuding a grandeur akin to "swallowing the five lakes and the three rivers." His political satirical poems held profound significance. Among Su Shi's works, those expressing life's reflections and praising natural scenery were the most numerous and influential. For example:
"The great river flows eastward, waves washing away the figures of ages past. Beside the old ramparts, people say it is the Red Cliff of Zhou Lang from the Three Kingdoms. Jagged rocks pierce the sky, surging waves crash against the shore, rolling up countless piles of snow. The land is like a painting, with so many heroes of the time.—?Nian Nu Jiao: Ode to the Red Cliff in the Past?
He also wrote the quatrain ?On the Wall of Xilin Temple?, renowned for its rich philosophical depth:
"Viewed from the side, it is a peak; viewed from the front, it is a range. Near or far, high or low, each perspective is different. Without knowing the true face of Lu Mountain, it is only because one is within it."
In summary, Su Shi's poetry, numbering over 2,700, exhibits a diverse and rich style—sometimes grand and unrestrained, sometimes philosophical, and sometimes simple and natural. He excelled at using vivid metaphors to depict scenes and elucidate philosophy. Especially in his long poems, he extensively employed metaphors, creating endless associations, fluent language, and a powerful, unrestrained. He also mastered a humorous and open tone, generating fresh and insightful life observations that refreshed people's perspectives. This reflects the characteristic of Song poetry that values philosophical depth and enjoys debate. His poems and ci broke free from the old stereotype of "ornamental" poetry from the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods. Together with Xin Qiji of the Southern Song Dynasty, he formed the ?Su Xin? school of bold and unrestrained ci poetry. His achievements in prose, calligraphy, and painting were also outstanding. He was one of the "Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song." With his loyal and loving nature and brilliant insights, he served in various prefectures and regions, leaving a lasting legacy wherever he went. His literary and political achievements were revered nationwide, surpassing Ouyang Xiu as the leader of the literary world. Su Shi enjoyed socializing and wholeheartedly supported the younger generation. Prominent scholars of the time, such as Huang Tingjian, Qin Guan, Chao Buzhi, and Zhang Lei, were all part of his ?Su Gate? Four Scholars. His collected works, Dongpo Anthology, were widely circulated. His ci collection, Dongpo Ci, had many editions. The Jingyuan Yanyou edition of Wang Pengyun's Four Seal Studio and the dated edition of Zhu Qian's Qiangcun Series were particularly excellent.
Su Shi (1037–1101), styled Zizhan and known as Dongpo Jushi, was from Meishan (now Meishan County, Sichuan). He was an outstanding poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. He opposed Wang Anshi's relatively radical reforms and also disagreed with Sima Guang's complete abolition of the New Policies, leading to his exclusion by both the New and Old Party factions. His official career was fraught with difficulties. Born in the third year of the Jingyou era (1036) of Emperor Renzong, he passed the imperial examination in the second year of the Jiayou era (1057) and rose to the position of Academician of the Endymion Hall, Court Scholar, and Minister of Rites. Due to his satire of the court, he was demoted to the post of Assistant Magistrate of Hangzhou. Later, he was transferred to Youzhou, Huangzhou, and Changzhou. When Emperor Zhizong ascended the throne, he was recalled to the capital as a Central Court Scholar. He later clashed with Sima Guang over the New Policies, arguing that they should not be entirely abolished, and was appointed Governor of Hangzhou. After Emperor Zhezong reinstated the New Party, Su Shi was further exiled, even to Hainan. When Emperor Huizong ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty, Su Shi returned north and died in Changzhou during his journey. This was in the first year of the Jianzhong Jingguo era (1101), at the age of sixty-six. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor and the posthumous name Wen Zhong.
His thoughts blended Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, allowing him to focus on state affairs and the people's livelihood while maintaining independent views, yet also adapt to circumstances and live with equanimity. His extensive knowledge and life experiences shaped Su Shi's poetry, which varied in form, covered broad themes, and presented original ideas, exuding a grandeur akin to "swallowing the five lakes and the three rivers." His political satirical poems held profound significance. Among Su Shi's works, those expressing life's reflections and praising natural scenery were the most numerous and influential. For example:
"The great river flows eastward, waves washing away the figures of ages past. Beside the old ramparts, people say it is the Red Cliff of Zhou Lang from the Three Kingdoms. Jagged rocks pierce the sky, surging waves crash against the shore, rolling up countless piles of snow. The land is like a painting, with so many heroes of the time.—?Nian Nu Jiao: Ode to the Red Cliff in the Past?
He also wrote the quatrain ?On the Wall of Xilin Temple?, renowned for its rich philosophical depth:
"Viewed from the side, it is a peak; viewed from the front, it is a range. Near or far, high or low, each perspective is different. Without knowing the true face of Lu Mountain, it is only because one is within it."
In summary, Su Shi's poetry, numbering over 2,700, exhibits a diverse and rich style—sometimes grand and unrestrained, sometimes philosophical, and sometimes simple and natural. He excelled at using vivid metaphors to depict scenes and elucidate philosophy. Especially in his long poems, he extensively employed metaphors, creating endless associations, fluent language, and a powerful, unrestrained. He also mastered a humorous and open tone, generating fresh and insightful life observations that refreshed people's perspectives. This reflects the characteristic of Song poetry that values philosophical depth and enjoys debate. His poems and ci broke free from the old stereotype of "ornamental" poetry from the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods. Together with Xin Qiji of the Southern Song Dynasty, he formed the ?Su Xin? school of bold and unrestrained ci poetry. His achievements in prose, calligraphy, and painting were also outstanding. He was one of the "Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song." With his loyal and loving nature and brilliant insights, he served in various prefectures and regions, leaving a lasting legacy wherever he went. His literary and political achievements were revered nationwide, surpassing Ouyang Xiu as the leader of the literary world. Su Shi enjoyed socializing and wholeheartedly supported the younger generation. Prominent scholars of the time, such as Huang Tingjian, Qin Guan, Chao Buzhi, and Zhang Lei, were all part of his ?Su Gate? Four Scholars. His collected works, Dongpo Anthology, were widely circulated. His ci collection, Dongpo Ci, had many editions. The Jingyuan Yanyou edition of Wang Pengyun's Four Seal Studio and the dated edition of Zhu Qian's Qiangcun Series were particularly excellent.