He Bai Collection

Author: He Bai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: He Bai (1562–1642), a commoner poet of the late Ming Dynasty, styled Wugou. Born at the foot of Danxia Mountain in Jinxi, western suburbs of Leqing County. During his childhood, he followed his father, He Dao, to move to Wenzhou City and settled near Jigu Mountain. He called himself Danqiu Sheng and also styled himself as. From a young age, he was deeply influenced by poetry. His grandmother was the sister of Li Jing of the posthumous peak of Leqing, a recluse poet. In the preface to the "Biography of Mr. Li Houpeng," He Bai wrote: "At the age of five or six, I occasionally stayed with my grandmother. Every morning, she would teach me several chapters of poetry from her pillow or compose one or two couplets with me. Then she would say to me, 'This poetry was written by your uncle, Mr. Houpeng. You are smart, so will you be able to follow in his footsteps one day?' Although I was a child, my spirit and aspirations gradually grew." Despite his family's poverty, He Bai devoted himself to studying diligently. By his mid-teens, he began writing poetry. In the 15th year of the Wanli era (1587), at the age of 25, Long Ying was appointed as the professor of Wenzhou Prefecture. He highly appreciated He Bai's talent and greatly praised him. Qian Qianyi's "Collected Poems of the Ming Dynasty" (Volume Ding) included eleven of He Bai's poems, accompanied by a short biography that said: "Long Jun governed as the prefecture's magistrate, admiring his talent and elevating him, gathering famous scholars to compose poems for a ritual, extending his reputation throughout the land, and thus gaining great fame." In the 17th year, Long Ying was transferred to the position of National University Doctor. Soon after, He Bai went to Nanjing. At that time, Xiang Jiyu (Jingzu) had a home in Nanjing, known for his generosity and love of poetry and wine. He hosted literary gatherings day and night, and He Bai often stayed at his home, associating with prominent poets of the time such as Wang Shizhen (Yuemei), Wu Mingqing (Guolun), and Chen Jiru (Zhongchun). The "Records of Yongjia County" described him as: "During his travels in Jinling, Wu Mingqing gathered various scholars to compose poems. He Bai was assigned the rhyme 'Ba Qi' and composed a seven-character regulated verse in a single sitting, creating a hundred lines on the spot that impressed everyone. Thus, he gained a great reputation. He successively led the literary scene alongside Wang Yuemei and Chen Zhongchun." Li Weizheng also praised him in the preface to the "Jigutang Collection" as: "Among the commoners of Wu and Yue, there is none his equal. Half the people speak of him with admiration and half with envy." In the spring of the 24th year of the Wanli era (1596), He Bai accepted an invitation from Feng Yuancheng, the county magistrate, and stayed at the office in Yuncheng County, Hubei. That summer, he accepted invitations from the county magistrates Li Dongnan and Shen Huashi and traveled to places like Zhushan, Zhuxi, and Fang County for nearly a month. In the winter of the 27th year, He Bai moved his family from the foot of Jigu Mountain to Zhuopeng Village in the southern suburbs, where he built Shanrain Pavilion. In a letter to Chen Meigong, he described the environment of Shanrain Pavilion and his own feelings: "Moving to East Zhu, I crossed three streams and was ten miles away from the city. In front, there was Zijin's Terrace, where phoenixes and qin players appeared occasionally. Behind, there was Zizhen's Isle, where the red furnace still remained. I often longed for the high and secluded style of the ancient sages, and it harmonized with the charm of long forests and lush grass." However, he still struggled with poverty and had to work for a living. In the 32nd year of the Wanli era (1604), at the age of 43, he accepted an invitation from Zheng Kunyan and stayed in Yulin, Shaanxi, for over a year. After returning, he no longer traveled outside. Shanrain Pavilion became his place of leisure and a gathering spot for friends to read poetry and discuss literature. It was not far from the villas of Wang Zanfu and Xiang Jiyu. Wang and Xiang often brought their grandsons to Shanrain Pavilion for gatherings, drinking, and poetry recitals. Zheng Rubi's poem "Visiting He Shanshi Wugou at Shanrain Pavilion and Leaving a Gift" said: "In this vast world, how many commoners are as rare as you in their high ideals. Your body is like a white deer opening the boundless sea, and people recognize you as the Longeng star entering the Xiaowei. Under the cold pavilion, we exchange warmth with grass; in the warm ink pool, five flowers fly. Our visits are not with the elite of Huayang, but with the elegant brush of Yuanxu, flying all day." Shanrain Pavilion played a significant role in the later life of He Bai, and his collected poems were named "Shanrain Pavilion Collection." He Bai's poetry had no specific mentors. Li Weizheng, in the preface to the "Jigutang Collection," said He Bai "adhered to Li and Du in poetry and Han and Liu in prose." Zhu Yizun said his poetry was influenced by the Seven Masters, similar to the style of Yu Anqi. However, He Bai had his own views. He believed the poetry of the Seven Masters "rigidly followed the Han and Wei, meticulously imitating the early Tang," lacking vitality; the Huanyin School, though "expressing personal spirit without adhering to conventions," drew from too diverse materials; and the Jingling School's style was obscure and dry, lacking grandeur. He Bai had a unique poetic style. As a commoner throughout his life, he lived through six emperors—Jiajing, Longqing, Wanli, Taichang, Tianqi, and Chongzhen. In his early years, he traveled and worked as a scholar, visiting Yulin in the north and Wudang in the west. In his later years, he lived in seclusion. His poems reflected social realities and expressed grievances, such as "The Old Man of the Creek," "The Old Man of the Village," "Elegy for the Spring," and "Lament for the Great Flood," which criticized the heavy burdens on farmers or the tyranny of eunuchs. One poem, "Lament for the River," described how Wu Baoxiu, the governor of Nanкан, was falsely accused by tax-collecting eunuchs, leading to the destruction of his family. The poem expressed indignation that left readers speechless. More of He Bai's poems celebrated the beauty of his homeland, including the Northern and Southern Yandang Mountains, Xianyan, Dairen Rock, Yujing Peak, and Jiangxin Temple. His long poems were expansive and varied, while his short poems were clear, natural, and distant. For example, in "Insomnia," he wrote: "Not separated from dreams of distant lands, no expectation of nightly returns. Recently, sorrow prevents sleep, making home seem rarer." In "The Western Room of Master Lian," he wrote: "A hundred twists of the quiet stream surround the bamboo room, and at night, the sound of bamboo mat water is cool. In the morning, opening the south window, I still lean on my pillow, with a thousand peaks outside half in bed." In "The Water Curtain Valley of Yandang," he wrote: "The rosy gate seals the white courtyard, cherishing the rare beauty. The path of water and stone ends, and the purple cliffs rise into the evening sky." His poems were rich in imagery and deep meaning. Wang Xizan, in the preface to the "Jigutang Collection," quoted from Zhu Xuan's words: "The ancient poems of Jigutang have a commanding view of their era. However, our Wenzhou is remote and coastal, and the scholars do not seek grandeur. At that time, Yu Lin and Yuemei stood alone, leading the alliance. If a scholar like He Bai had emerged, he would have roamed among them, much like Su Changgong viewing Shuguan with awe." He Bai's prose was also excellent, and "The Ten Scenic Spots of Yandang" can be compared to Li Xiaoguang's "Ten Records of Yandang." He was also skilled in calligraphy and painting. His calligraphy was bold and unrestrained. "His landscapes resemble the brushwork of Fanghong, with a loose yet disciplined style. His bamboo and rocks are also misty and moist." In the 15th year of the Chongzhen era (1642), He Bai passed away at home at the age of 81 and was buried at Jinyan in Quixi. Zhou Wuxi of Jinxi in the late Ming Dynasty wrote a poem: "Mr. He is no more, who can discuss elegance and virtue? The peak of Jinyan stands tall, with his literary soul. The morning dew falls on his, and the thin mist covers his grave. When he left, we called him, but now the trees are cut down. His legacy remains through the ages, and we bow in solitude. Gazing at the wind, we lament, as the wild fire spreads." He Bai's works included early collections like "Shanrain Pavilion Poetry" and "Yuzhong Grass," as well as later collections like "Jigutang Collection," which he personally compiled and published in the 43rd year of the Wanli era. Subsequent reprints followed. There is also "The Continued Collection of Jigutang," which has been preserved in manuscript form.