Tang and Song Ci Selected and Explained

Author: Yu Pingbo (Editor and Annotator)
Publisher: [To be filled]
Publication Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The classic Chinese poems and ci poems are as vast as the sea of stars, and the various anthologies derived from them are as numerous as the stars in the sky. What to read? How to read? The times and readers call for classic anthologies, and only time and readers can prove their classic status. Based on this, the "Famous Anthologies by Famous Editors" series has emerged. The compilers of this series are not only experts with profound knowledge in the field of classical literature but also masters who have had a profound impact on modern and contemporary cultural history. They have brought the essence of Chinese classical poems and ci poems into the homes of ordinary people, allowing readers to get close to the poetic spirit of ancient times. Each of these anthologies, imbued with personal preferences and infused with unique insights, has spanned half a century. Whether in higher education institutions or among the general public, they have gained widespread recognition and are well-positioned to guide a new generation of readers in selecting the finest works in the garden of poetry... This anthology is intended as a reference for researchers of classical literature. Therefore, I would like to briefly discuss my views on the development of ci poems and some specific aspects of Tang and Song ci poems, which serve as the introduction to this anthology. There are two arguments that have been widely circulated in the world of ci poems in the past. Although they reflect some actualities, they contain erroneous elements: 1. Ci poems are considered the "remainder" of poetry and are narrower in scope than poetry. 2. The so-called "orthodox" and "transformative"—taking this as orthodox and that as transformative. Here, I will simply raise these points for discussion and will elaborate on them later. First, it should be said that the possible and development of ci poems and the actual historical development are two separate matters. General literary histories can only draw conclusions based on existing achievements and cannot delve too much into how they might or should develop. However, this is indeed a fundamental issue that we need to discuss today. The "Selected and Annotated Tang and Song Ci Poems" spans from the Tang Dynasty to the Southern Song Dynasty, totaling 251 poems, divided into three volumes. The first volume covers Tang and Five Dynasties ci poems, further divided into three parts: 1. Tang, 2. "The Flower Pavilion," 3. Southern Tang, with a total of 87 poems. The second and third volumes cover Song Dynasty ci poems, totaling 164 poems. The second volume is titled "Song Ci, Part One," and the third volume is titled "Song Ci, Part Two," corresponding to the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, respectively. This anthology has a slightly broader selection of poems, aiming to reflect the stylistic characteristics of the ci poets and the development paths of ci poems. The "Selected and Annotated Tang and Song Ci Poems" by the classical literature scholar and poet Mr. Yu Pingbo includes 251 Tang and Song ci poems, divided into three volumes, with detailed annotations that thoroughly uncover the true meanings of the poems. It also covers the authors' backgrounds and the historical context, providing readers with a deeper understanding of ci poems and further refining their ability to appreciate them. This book is truly a must-read for readers interested in classical Chinese poetry and ci poems. The "Selected and Annotated Tang and Song Ci Poems" is an authoritative annotated edition of classical Chinese poetry and ci poems. Readers who love poetry and ci poems should not miss this book!