Wang Pijiang on Modern Poetry Famous People Say: Compilation of Ancient Academic Works

Author: Wang Pijiang
Author Country: China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-12-01
Features: Poetry in the modern era reached its peak, with a multitude of poets, diverse poetic styles, complex structures, and rich activities, all characterized by distinct features. The great national scholar Wang Pijiang explores the relationship between style and region, outlining the overall landscape of modern poetry: temporally spanning five dynasties of the Qing Dynasty—Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Xuantong—and featuring critiques from renowned literary figures such as Chen Baochen, Zhang Zhidong, Shen Zengzhi, Chen Sanli, Huang Zunxian, Kang Youwei, and Yu Yue, providing a clear of modern poetics. This not only represents a significant contribution to the study of modern literature but also makes the entire literary history clearer.
Excerpt: The Western Sichuan School The region of Western Sichuan has long been renowned as the "Land of Abundance," with northern access to Qin and Feng, guarded by the Iron Mountain and Jianmen Pass; eastern descent to Jing and Xiang, traversing the perilous Qutang and Yangtze rapids; southern connection to the Six Zhaos, and western defense against the Tufan, forming natural barriers. Du Gong's poetry describes: "What does the color of the Jialing River resemble? Dark ink and green jade intertwined. The sun breaks through the waves, and spring returns from the sand. The boatmen of Bashu pass by with tilted oars, while water chickens fly with fish in their beaks. The grand events of Langzhong are heart-wrenching, and the south of Langzhou is unparalleled under the heavens." Su Dongpo writes: "From a high vantage point in Jiaoxi, I gaze upon the Western River, where solitary clouds drift in the setting sun. After the spring snow falls on Wawu, and the rain-washed Emei stands lush, the scenery is unparalleled." Bai Xiangshan's "The waters of Shu are green, and the mountains are blue" perfectly captures the essence of Western Sichuan's landscape. The mountains and waters of Western Sichuan are emerald and azure, with extraordinary beauty in their bones. The fragrance of literary brilliance emanates from the heights of high culture. Those who gained fame in the Han capital as writers, such as Sima Qian, Yang Xiong, Wang Bao, and Li Long, are too numerous to mention. Even in poetry, Chen Aoxiang, Li Bai, Su Dongpo, and Su Zhe—all natives of Shu—competed for the Tang and Song dynasties, becoming authoritative voices of their time and leaving a legacy for generations.
All these poets grew up in Western Shu, traveled widely, and their poetry bridges the past and the future, compiling various styles while also innovating independently. Their brilliance was as vast as the sky, and they did not need to explicitly mention the green and blue of the Shu mountains and rivers. However, Song Dynasty poets like Wen Yike, Tang Zixi, and Han Zicang were also renowned poets of Shu, who traveled and served in various places, yet their poetry closely resembled the landscape of Shu. Even visiting scholars, such as Du Gong, Huang Jing, and Jiannan poets, their works in Shu often mirrored the green and blue of the region. This is because mountains and rivers resonate with literature, and what is seen cannot be entirely suppressed in the heart—the principle is undeniable.
The Western Sichuan school of poetry flourished during the Song Dynasty. Beyond Su Dongpo, poets like Wen Yike's clear and, Han Zicang's dense and sharp, Tang Zixi's concise and distant, and Ren Boyu's elegant and unrestrained—all were refined and innovative, with a fiery spirit hidden in simplicity and a spiritual charm beyond the rhythms of poetry. Their extraordinary beauty was rooted in the essence of the land. However, due to the long-standing interactions between Song Dynasty Shu poets and the Jiangxi school, their styles gradually converged, sharing a similar spirit and tone.
To trace their mentorship and friendships: The Su family of Meishan, disciples of Ouyang Xishu, remained deeply devoted to him throughout their lives. Su Dongpo's memorial service for Ouyang Xishu stated: "For sixteen years, I have been honored to receive teachings under your guidance." This shows the Su family's profound admiration. Su Zhe, who followed, was a master of poetry, yet Su Dongpo, as an elder in the literary world, also wrote poems in the style of Su Zhe. He once remarked: "Reading Su Zhe's poetry leaves me speechless," and "Reading Su Zhe's poetry is like meeting Lu Zhonglian and Li Bai—there is no need to discuss my own merits." Su Zhe's two "Ancient Styles to Su Dongpo" poems also express a similar connection in spirit. Another poem by Su Zhe reads: "My poetry is like that of Cao and Wei—shallow and insignificant, unable to form a nation. Yours are like the great state of Chu, swallowing the Five Lakes and Three Rivers. Your verse is uniform, and my fortress will surrender to you." His admiration was even deeper.
Su Dongpo and Su Zhe's mutual respect is well-documented. Su Zhe was exiled to Fuzhou for his involvement in the "Shenzong Annals" incident and later moved to Rongzhou, where many Shu scholars followed him, teaching tirelessly. Every student he mentored showed remarkable talent. The spread of the Jiangxi school in Shu is well-recorded in historical texts, providing credible evidence. Even Han Zicang, a Shu poet, served as the magistrate of Fenning and later settled in Fuzhou, where he spent his later years. Han Zicang, who admired Su Zhe's poetry, also interacted with Su Zhe's nephew Xu Shichuan. Xu Shichuan's "Great Xie An Collection of Poems" includes a chapter hand-copied by Han Zicang, and Xu Shichuan wrote a preface to Han Zicang's "Ten Quatrain Poems," saying: "The summer trees are shaded, ready to set sail. The orioles have sung, and the flowers have fallen. Ten poems capture the essence of life, entrusted to the elegant Ge Zichuan." The collaboration between Han and Xu further illustrates their deep bond.
Lu Zixi's "Jiangxi School of Poetry Map" included Han Zicang as a native of Shu, though Han expressed dissatisfaction. Yet, his collection "Lingyang" remains, and the influence of the Jiangxi school is evident. As Wei Qingzhi noted in "Jinshi's Gems of Poetry," Han Zicang's poetic style was passed to Lu You, who refined it, becoming a major force after the Southern Crossing. Zhao Gengfu's preface to Han Zicang's collection reads: "Clear as the pale moon on the third night, gentle as the second spring spring. Your disciples are relentless, and the light of the lamp has been passed on." The verse rhythms of the three are similar, but Lu You added a touch of boldness.
According to Wei Qingzhi, Han Zicang's poetic style spread to the Jiangxi school, while Lu You, having long resided in Shu, indirectly passed on the teachings of the Jiangxi school to Shu poets, creating a clear lineage. Other poets like Jing Gong and Su Zhe, both from Jiangxi, became masters of the poetic world, with their works influencing far and wide. The annotations to their posthumous collections were written by Li Bi of Dianling and Ren Yuan of Xinqin, both Shu natives, showing the admiration of scholars from other provinces for the Jiangxi school. The legacy of the Jiangxi school remains strong, and the traces are still visible. Today, outstanding Shu poets continue to draw inspiration from the region's natural beauty, crafting extraordinary verses. The rugged and elegant landscapes they depict resonate with the works of Wen Yike, Han Zicang, and Tang Zixi, creating a timeless connection across centuries.