Selected Poems of the Three Caos

Author: Sun Mingjun (Editor and Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Poetry is one of the most profound and enchanting forms of classical Chinese literature. It fully embodies the characteristics of the Chinese language, possessing both literary and musical qualities. With its concise form containing rich flavors, it has long been favored by both authors and readers, and its widespread participation is unparalleled by other forms. To this day, poetry still enjoys a large number of enthusiasts both domestically and internationally: numerous self-formed amateur writing groups, a wealth of related reading materials, and a multitude of poetry websites all demonstrate the strong vitality of this classical form in the modern era.
Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are collectively known as the "Three Caos," who were the most outstanding poets of the Jian'an period. They had a deep love for poetry and prose. Not only did they promote literature as emperors and nobles, contributing to the golden age of five-character ancient-style poetry, but they also practiced it themselves, creating renowned masterpieces with distinct styles: Cao Cao's poetry is mournful and heroic, with a profound and powerful aura; Cao Pi's poetry is delicate, refined, fresh, and bright; Cao Zhi's poetry is full of vigor and passion, with a moving and dramatic quality, exerting a profound and far-reaching influence on later poets.
Based on the latest research findings in academia, this book carefully selects 19 poems by Cao Cao, 39 poems by Cao Pi, and 70 poems by Cao Zhi, each accompanied by introductions and annotations, which are highly helpful for a deeper understanding of the works of the Three Caos.