Book of Songs Annotations (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Cheng Junying, Jiang Jianyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1991-10-21
Features: Recommended purchase of the classic and authoritative "Annotated 300 Poems of the Tang Dynasty" as a fundamental reading in traditional Chinese culture. Recommended purchase of the classic and authoritative "Annotated 300 Poems of the Song Dynasty" as a fundamental reading in traditional Chinese culture.
The Classic of Poetry (Shijing) is the earliest comprehensive collection of poetry in Chinese literary history, divided into three major categories: Feng, Ya, and Song, with a total of 305 poems. Historically, it was also known as "Three Hundred Poems." This collection primarily includes works from the Zhou Dynasty. The categorization of Feng, Ya, and Song in the Classic of Poetry is based on the origin and musical tunes of the poems.
Feng refers to folk songs with local characteristics, sung to lively tunes, reflecting daily life. The verses are rich in rhythm, with short and abrupt lines, repetitive stanzas, and an intimate and moving quality. Ya is further divided into "Great Ya" and "Small Ya," encompassing political satire poems, epic poems, sacrificial poems, and celebratory poems. The content of Song mostly praises the virtues of rulers and former kings, though most lack distinct features.
The Classic of Poetry has made significant contributions to the development of Chinese poetry. It is a comprehensive collection of Zhou Dynasty poetry and became the source of classical Chinese poetry. Renowned literary figures and poets from various eras, despite their diverse styles and artistic preferences, all drew endless inspiration from the Classic of Poetry. Qu Yuan of Chu inherited the realistic tradition of Feng and Ya in the Classic of Poetry while incorporating the forms of Chu folk songs and romantic elements, composing the immortal Chu Ci. Since then, all forms of poetry have flourished in this rich soil.
As the first comprehensive collection of Chinese poetry, the Classic of Poetry has been studied by numerous scholars throughout history, primarily from the perspective of Confucian classics. The authors of this book, however, approach it from the perspective of restoring its original nature, treating the Classic of Poetry as a work of literary art for appreciation. Each poem includes an "Introduction" with artistic analysis, and each chapter's notes are followed by a "Rhyme Reading" section to assist readers in correct pronunciation. This book offers both a unique perspective on the study of the Classic of Poetry and a comprehensive compilation of insights from past scholars.