Three Hundred Tang Poems (Illustrated Text)

Author: Xu Jianzhong, Wan Ping selected and annotated
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-10-01
Features: A Selection of 300 Tang Dynasty Quatrain Poems is a selected anthology of quatrains divided into two categories: five-character quatrains and seven-character quatrains. Since it is primarily intended for middle and primary school students and adolescents, it can be used as a teaching reference book for schools. If used as a teaching reference, it has the following advantages:
First, the selection of poems pays attention to the appropriateness of difficulty, catering to the reading habits of adolescents and making it easier for them to understand. Because this book consists of quatrains—both five-character and seven-character quatrains—the allusions in the quatrains are few, the backgrounds are not complex, and the poetic meaning is rich with a graceful and ethereal style. Poetry, especially Tang Dynasty quatrains, has the flexibility of language, implication, tone, warmth, size, and the structure of opening, development, transition, and conclusion, making it suitable for adolescents to read. Sun Zhu compiled the Tang poems in the Qing Dynasty and included works such as Han Yu’s Ode to the Stone Drums and Visiting Mount Heng, as well as Li Shangyin’s Morning at Han’s Stele. Those poems are not necessarily bad, but their meaning is too obscure, and the language is too difficult. I often skipped reading them. It is not acceptable. Today, we are in the New China, not the Qing Dynasty. If we select poems like Sun Zhu did, we would never gain the favor of adolescents. The poems selected here are those that are easy to recite, full of flavor, and leave a lingering impression, even to the point where one feels as if their mouth smells after three days of not reading them.
Second, the selected poems are mostly masterpieces with strong artistic value. For example, Wang Bo’s In the Mountains, Luo Binwang’s Seeing Someone Off at the Yi River, Song Zhiqun’s Crossing the Han River, Wang Zhihuan’s Ascending the Stork Tower, Meng Haoran’s Spring Morning, Wang Wei’s Deer Enclosure, Li Po’s Quiet Night Thought, and so on—there are simply too many to list, and they are everywhere.
Third, the selected poets range from the early Tang Dynasty, with the criterion being the quality of the works rather than the fame of the authors. This ensures that both the works of renowned poets and the outstanding works of less-known writers in literary history are included.
Fourth, the selected content covers a wide range of themes. Although the constraints of the quatrain form make descriptive and emotional poems the main focus, this selection also pays great attention to works that reflect the suffering of the people, express social responsibility and human emotions, and convey the ideals of life, especially patriotic works.
Fifth, the book is richly illustrated, pairing ancient artworks such as woodblock prints that complement the poetic mood with the verses. The poetry and art enhance each other, creating a harmonious and mutually enlightening effect.