300 Yuan Qu Poems -- Basic Collection of Chinese Family Classics

Author: Ren Ne, edited and selected by Lu Qian, annotated by He Qiaosuo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Following the prosperity of Tang poetry and Song lyrics, the Yuan qu (quyi) emerged as a literary masterpiece with its unique charm. On one hand, it inherited the elegance and subtlety of poetry and lyrics. On the other hand, the Yuan Dynasty's society placed scholars in the lowly position of "eight courtesans, nine Confucian scholars, and ten beggars," with authoritarian politics and a dark social atmosphere. As a result, Yuan qu radiated a dazzling brilliance of struggle and revealed a spirit of rebellion. It pointed directly at social flaws, condemning the notion that "not reading is high, not knowing characters is good, and those who don’t understand things are praised for their charm." It also exposed the prevailing social of "everyone despises poverty, who doesn’t chase wealth?" The works of Yuan qu on love were also more bold and daring than those of poetry and lyrics in previous dynasties. All of these contributed to the enduring artistic appeal of Yuan qu. However, compared to Tang poetry and Song lyrics, the popularity of Yuan qu was far less widespread. This was partly due to people's unfamiliarity with its form. Here, we provide a brief introduction to Yuan qu. Yuan qu is divided into zaju (operas) and sanqu (qu tunes). Sanqu further includes quanshu (sets), xiaoling (short pieces), and guochu (interludes). This book includes works by sixty-seven Yuan qu masters and anonymous sanqu. For the first time, anonymous sanqu have a comprehensive and accessible anthology that represents the essence of Yuan Dynasty sanqu. By the 1980s, this anthology gained widespread popularity and high recognition. In this edition, the selections follow the order chosen by Ren and Lu, accompanied by author biographies, prefaces, and annotations. The prefaces offer appreciative insights, while the annotations are designed to be clear and straightforward, ensuring that young readers can understand them without reference materials and appreciate their ideological and artistic depth. Additionally, an appendix at the end of the book includes famous lines from the selected sanqu, major versions of Yuan qu and sanqu, and research works, all to facilitate readers' study and research.