Three Hundred Poems of the Tang Dynasty (Essential Collection for Chinese Families. Comprehensive Selection Volume)

Author: (Qing) Hongtang Tuishi, edited by Li Yuhua, annotated and analyzed by
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: "Read three hundred Tang poems and you won't need to compose your own." – Proverb. "Morning rain in Weicheng dampens the dust, the inn's willows are green anew. Counsel your friend to drink one more cup of wine, as you head west, leaving no old friends behind." – Wang Wei, "Poem of Weicheng." China is a land of poetry. Tang poetry represents the peak of Chinese ancient verse. Tang Dynasty China was a world of poetry, from the northern frontier to the southern water towns, from bustling cities to quiet villages, everywhere echoed the songs of poets. From emperors and generals to commoners and laborers, from the white-haired elders to the young children, all could compose moving verses. Mountains and rivers, farmlands, spring flowers and autumn moon, morning bells and evening drums, endless beacons of war, and family and national sentiments—all became subjects of poetic expression. All poetic forms that emerged before the Tang Dynasty, such as Yuefu, ancient poems, regulated verse, quatrain, five-character, seven-character, and mixed-character verse, were all skillfully employed by Tang poets with natural ease and mastery. This book is a reading companion to Tang poetry suitable for readers with intermediate to advanced education levels, making it a must-have for every household. For the convenience of readers, we have provided annotations for each poem in Three Hundred Tang Poems. At the end of the main text, there are three sections: Author Introduction, Poem Explanations, and Notes. At the end, there is also an appendix titled "Famous Quotes and Proverbs from Three Hundred Tang Poems" (the quotes and proverbs are marked with italics in the main text).