Research Draft on Northern Song Ci Studies - Research Draft on the History of Ci Studies in Chinese Dynasties

Author: Cui Haizheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Ci poetry, also known as "words set to tunes," is a form of Chinese lyrical literature composed according to musical scores. It originated in the Southern Dynasties, took shape in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and continued to develop through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Ci poetry has bloomed vibrantly in the garden of Chinese literature, dazzling in its brilliance, diverse in its schools, and far-reaching in its influence. Since the Tang Dynasty until the modern era, spanning over a thousand years, Ci and poetry have co-existed and thrived in Chinese cultural history, each creating its own brilliance. This academic history, with a focus on "comprehensiveness" and "wholeness," is composed of five chronological volumes: Tang and Five Dynasties, Northern Song, Southern Song, Jin and Yuan, and Ming and Qing. It is a comprehensive history of Ci literature research. The editors and authors' original intention was to meticulously examine the research of each historical period, identify its characteristics and patterns, and thus trace a "historical" lineage. They aimed to present as authentically and clearly as possible the entire process of Ci literature research over a thousand years, laying a foundation for future, more comprehensive academic histories of Ci. By broadly reviewing the entire manuscript and selectively reading the "introductions" and key chapters of each volume, it is evident that the editors and authors have largely achieved their academic goals. This book, by summarizing and describing the academic concepts, research methods, approaches, and discourse expressions of Ci scholars throughout history, also provides valuable references for contemporary scholars. Additionally, by providing a basic overview of the research status of each historical period, it saves contemporary scholars considerable effort in searching and helps avoid repetition in topic selection and research.