Throughout the generations, Zhuzhi Ci

Author: Wang Liqi / Wang Shenzhi / Wang Zixin (compilation)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: The "Zhuzhi Ci" (Song of Bamboo) initially originated as folk songs, and when it attracted the attention of scholars, it often reflected the customs and folk culture of remote and isolated regions. Thus, there were works such as "Barbarian Customs," "Barbarian Songs," "Lithic Verses," and the "Liu Yuxi Biography" in Volume 160 of the Old Book of Tang. [Its sound was rough and simple] (as stated in the "Liu Yuxi Biography" in Volume 93 of the New Book of Tang). Since the Tang Dynasty, when Liu Yuxi, Bai Juyi, and others borrowed the traditional "Zhuzhi" style and created new verses, their simple and rustic style significantly influenced the literary creations of scholars. Poets competed to imitate it, and a fresh breeze swept through the poetic scene. Some scholars pointed out that the original "Zhuzhi" was derived from the rustic tones of Ba Yu, with barbarian songs and dances, yet it has rarely been noticed. Only when Liu and Bai emerged did they recognize its profound artistic value, and its significance became undeniable. The "Zhuzhi Ci" is mostly written in seven-character lines, but there are also five-character and six-character versions, such as Yuan Mei's "West Lake Small Zhuzhi Ci." Additionally, there are forms where each stanza consists of two or five lines, such as Duan Cheng's "Dongao Zhuzhi Ci," which follows a 3-7-7-7 syllable pattern. Although many scholars have dedicated effort to studying the evolution of the "Zhuzhi Ci" form, no definitive conclusion has been reached yet. Perhaps the publication of this Zhuzhi Ci through the Ages will contribute to deeper research on the "Zhuzhi Ci."