Liu Yong Collection -- Basic Collection of Chinese Family Bookshelves

Author: Hu Chuanzhi, Yuan Ru
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Liu Yong (c. 971–1053), styled Qiqing, originally named Sanbian, styled Jingzhuang, ranked seventh, also known as Liu Qi, was from Chong'an (now Chong'an County, Fujian). A renowned poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. Born into a scholarly and official family, he was the younger son of Liu Yi, Vice Director of the Ministry of Works, and passed the imperial examination in Jingyou. He rose to the position of Assistant Director of the Bureau and was thus also known as Liu Tuntian. Liu Yong was unrestrained in character and faced a tumultuous career. When recommended to Emperor Renzong, he received only four-character criticism: "Go and compose lyrics." With no prospect in his official career, he styled himself "Imperially Commissioned Lyricist Liu Sanbian" and spent his life indulging in song and dance halls, music, and poetry, ultimately dying in obscurity and being buried by courtesans. His political frustration, unique life experiences, and profound erudition, coupled with his mastery of musical theory, turned this "lyricist of light sips and low songs" and "man of bold daring and unrestrained passion" into a dedicated poet. Due to his extensive exposure to social life, especially urban life, courtesans, and the common people, the prosperity of urban life, the joys and sorrows, desires, and romantic relationships of courtesans, his own frustrations and indulgences, as well as his feelings of parting and travel, became central themes in his lyrics. Additionally, he wrote works reflecting the hardships of laborers, odes to objects, historical odes, and immortal-themed poems, greatly expanding the subject matter of lyrics. Influenced by folk music and lyrics, he extensively composed sanqu (long-form lyrics), maturing the form and elevating it to rival the xiaoling (short-form lyrics) in status. In terms of expression, he excelled in freehand description, detailed narration, skillful embellishment, and blending of scenery and emotion, with a strong lyrical quality. His language was simple and natural, unafraid of colloquialism, giving his lyrics a distinctive style that spread widely. Liu Yong's innovations in both content and expression marked a significant transformation in Song Dynasty lyrics and had a profound impact on their development. His lyrics were harmonious in melody, easy to understand, and masterful in blending scenery and emotion. Ye Mengde remarked in Record of Summer Heat and Recordings: "Wherever there is a well, his lyrics are sung," attesting to their immense popularity. Ji Yun, in General Catalogue of the Four Treasuries, highly praised him: "Poetry should emulate Du Fu, but lyrics should emulate Liu Yong." He authored Collected Lyrics of Yue Zhang, with famous works including Rain on the Pavilion, Ode to the Cuckoo, Eight Sounds of Ganzhou, and Ode to the Sea. His life is recorded in Records of Lyricists by Zhang Zongzhu and Collected Anecdotes of Song People by Ding Chuanjing. This book, based on Xue Ruisheng's Annotated Collected Lyrics of Yue Zhang, cross-references Complete Lyrics of the Song Dynasty and Qiangcun Series, selecting one lyric and 115 other works by Liu Yong. With reference to authoritative critiques, it provides annotations and analyses. Appendices include a concise chronology of Liu Yong's life, major editions of his works, key studies on him, and famous quotes from his lyrics, all to aid readers.