Selected Translations from Chu Ci -- Classics of Poetry by Renowned Poets

Author: Li Shanxuan (Translation)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Chu Ci, represented by Qu Yuan's works, is one of the two major sources of Chinese literature. With its abundant passion, magnificent imagination, and stunning literary style, it has long been an ideal model for later writers. This book carefully selects 29 pieces of Chu Ci works, providing detailed annotations and translations. The annotations are thorough and precise, while the translations are faithful and elegant, accurately conveying the captivating charm of Chu Ci. It is an ideal reading material for studying Chu Ci. This series of ancient "Classical Poetry Masters" is a collection of renowned works by poets from different dynasties, compiled by Zhonghua Book Company. It gathers the latest research findings, offering a systematic and comprehensive poetry anthology that combines academic excellence with readability, catering to both scholars and general readers. The publication of this series was specially commissioned with the collaboration of over 30 experts and scholars from more than 20 institutions.
1. The primary criterion for selecting works is their popularity, while also considering their ideological and artistic value.
2. The selected texts are primarily based on authoritative versions, especially those of authoritative editions, without textual collations. General variant readings are not explained, but important ones are clarified in the annotations.
3. Each book in the series includes an introduction before the main text, providing a comprehensive and insightful commentary on the selected authors, works, and related content.
4. The works and their annotations are arranged chronologically. Works that cannot be dated are grouped at the end of the chronological entries.
5. Below each poem, there are "Introduction" and "Annotations." The introduction provides an overview of the poem's background, themes, writing techniques, artistic features, and relevant names, places, and dynasties. The annotations address the needs of general readers, with particular attention to explaining allusions, specialized terms, and difficult phrases. Obscure characters are annotated with Pinyin, and confusing sentences are explained in detail.
By reading this series, readers can gain a thorough and systematic understanding of outstanding poets and works in the history of Chinese literature, fostering spiritual resonance, enriching life experiences, and serving as a model for learning and imitation in poetry creation.
Chu Ci, also known as Chu Ci, is a poetic form created by the great poet Qu Yuan during the Warring States period. The works employ literary styles and dialectic tones from the Chu region (modern Hubei and Hunan), depicting the landscapes, characters, and historical customs of the Chu area, showcasing strong regional characteristics. During the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiang compiled Qu Yuan's works along with those of other poets who "inherited Qu Yuan's style" into a collection titled Chu Ci. It became a major poetic anthology after the Book of Songs, exerting a profound influence on Chinese literature.
The representative figure of Chu Ci, Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE), is the earliest patriotic poet in Chinese literary history. In the original 16 volumes of the Chu Ci, the majority of the works are by Qu Yuan, comprising 8 volumes with over 20 poems, including Li Sao, Jiu Ge (11 poems), Tian Xiang, Jiu Zhang (9 poems), Yuan You, Bu Ju, Yu Fu, and Zhao Hun. The remaining 8 volumes include Jiu Bian by Song Yu, Zhao Dai by Jing Cha, Xie Shi by Jia Yi of the Han Dynasty, Zhao Yin Shi by Xiao Shan of Huainan, Qi Jian by Dong Fang Shuo, Ai Shi Ming by Yan Ji, Jiu Huai by Wang Bao, and Jiu Tan by Liu Xiang.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi compiled the Chu Ci Jizhu based on these works, adding Jia Yi's Peng Niu Fu and Diao Qu Yuan Fu, while removing Qi Jian, Jiu Huai, and Jiu Tan, as Zhu Xi believed these works lacked genuine emotional depth. He categorized Qu Yuan's works as the "Li Sao category" and the others as the "continuation of Li Sao category," arranging them in their original order into 8 volumes. Qu Yuan's works can be broadly divided into two categories: one includes Li Sao and Jiu Zhang, which are political poems written during his exile, and the other consists of Jiu Ge as an example of ritual songs and Tian Xiang, which reflect the poet's worldview and philosophy of life.
Qu Yuan's masterpiece, Li Sao, is the longest romantic lyrical poem in ancient Chinese literature and a representative work of Chu Ci. As a result, Chu Ci is often referred to as "Sao-style poetry," alongside the Book of Songs, as "Shi and Sao." Li Sao was written during Qu Yuan's second exile, filled with grievances of being "trusted yet suspected, loyal yet slandered." It pours out his sorrow and indignation, narrating the poet's life story and aspirations. Through the tragic depiction of the poet's relentless struggles and his determination to sacrifice his life for his ideals, the poem reflects the fierce struggle between the righteous and the unscrupulous factions in the Chu ruling class, exposes the dark reality and political crisis of the Chu state, and expresses his unwavering spirit of fighting for the nation and its people, "unrepentant even in death."