Comprehensive Collection of Basic Book Collection for Chinese Families -- Yuan Dynasty -- Three Hundred Poems

Author: Ren Ne / Lu Qian (editors) / He Qiaosuo (annotations)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Following the prosperity of Tang poetry and Song lyrics, the Yuanqu (quyi) emerged as a literary masterpiece with its unique charm. On one hand, it inherited the elegance and subtlety of poetry and lyrics. On the other hand, the Yuan Dynasty society placed scholars in the lowly position of "eight courtesans, nine Confucian scholars, and ten beggars," marked by political tyranny and social darkness. As a result, Yuanqu radiated a dazzling brilliance of struggle and conveyed a spirit of rebellion. It directly pointed out social flaws, condemning the notion that "illiteracy is high, ignorance is good, and those who know nothing are praised as charming." It also exposed the prevailing social of "everyone despises poverty, who doesn’t chase wealth?" The Yuanqu also dared to depict love with greater boldness and passion than any previous poetry or lyrics. All these qualities have ensured the enduring artistic appeal of Yuanqu. However, compared to the widespread popularity of Tang poetry and Song lyrics, the dissemination of Yuanqu is far less extensive. This is partly due to the unfamiliarity of its form. Here, we provide a brief introduction to Yuanqu. Yuanqu is divided into two categories: zaju (operatic quyi) and sanqu (lyric quyi). Sanqu further includes quanshu (sets), xiaoling (short pieces), and daigu (overturned pieces). This book includes works by sixty-seven Yuan Dynasty quyi masters and anonymous sanqu. For the first time, anonymous sanqu have a comprehensive and accessible anthology that reflects the essence of Yuan Dynasty sanqu. By the 1980s, this anthology gained widespread popularity and high recognition. In this edition, we follow the order of quyi selected by Ren and Lu, supplemented by author biographies, prefaces, and annotations. The prefaces offer appreciative insights, while the annotations are designed to be clear and straightforward, enabling contemporary young readers to understand the works without reference materials and appreciate their ideological and artistic depth. Additionally, an appendix at the end of the book includes famous lines from the selected sanqu, major versions of Yuanqu and sanqu, and relevant research works to facilitate further study and research.