Shi Pin Ji Jie Xu Shi Pin Zhu

Author: (Tang) Sikongtu Guo Shaoyu (Qing) Yuan Mei Guo Shaoyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1963-10-01
Features: These two collections of poetry critiques, though distinguished in purpose, differ in nature and content. One can be understood intuitively but is not easily explained, while the other is straightforward and clear, requiring little interpretation. Therefore, I have adopted different approaches to annotate them. For the first, I have selected ancient interpretations, which are closer to the essence and often clearer than verbose explanations. For the second, I have focused on Yuan Mei's annotations, particularly his "Yuan Yuan's Poetry Talks," to highlight the core insights.
Why does Sikongtu emphasize the "sublime realm" in his poetry critiques? In fact, one can trace some origins of this concept in the poetic principles of Tang poets. The ancients often compared Li Bai and Du Fu, with Du Fu's poetry being practical and revered as the "sage of poetry," while Li Bai's was expansive and likened to the "immortal of poetry." Wang Yuyang later paired Li Bai with Wang Wei, noting that Li Bai's poetry was rich in subtle beauty beyond mere words, existing in a state of "neither immediate nor detached," thus elevating him to the status of the "buddha of poetry."
Why does Sikongtu emphasize the "sublime realm" in his poetry critiques? In fact, one can trace some origins of this concept in the poetic principles of Tang poets. The ancients often compared Li Bai and Du Fu, with Du Fu's poetry being practical and revered as the "sage of poetry," while Li Bai's was expansive and likened to the "immortal of poetry." Wang Yuyang later paired Li Bai with Wang Wei, noting that Li Bai's poetry was rich in subtle beauty beyond mere words, existing in a state of "neither immediate nor detached," thus elevating him to the status of the "buddha of poetry."