Three Hundred Songs of Song Dynasty (Translation and Analysis)

Author: Li Miao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Ci is an important form of Chinese literature, and the Song Dynasty was a period when ci composition achieved great success. As predecessors said, "each generation has its own literature," then ci is the genre that best represents Song literature. Ci is also known as long-short sentences, zhezicici, etc. It originated around the mid-Tang Dynasty and matured in the Northern Song Dynasty. The development of ci is closely related to music; its tunes can be set to music and sung. The influence of music became one of the important factors determining the formal characteristics of ci. Ci studies flourished during the two Song Dynasties. When reading the ci of Song Dynasty scholars, one should seek its style and spirit, with style being particularly important over spirit. The state of being perfectly integrated (huncheng) is a must for scholars to achieve, and there is even a higher state beyond huncheng, which cannot be attained without effort—this relates to one's academic ability. Spirit originates from one's nature and soul; once style reaches its utmost perfection, it accumulates into a clear and fragrant aura that cannot be concealed. In modern times, some treat ci as mere petty charm and fleeting beauty, degrading the art of ci. Many spend half their lives without glimpsing the path of Song scholars, let alone the inner sanctum! I have not heard of anyone who meets the ancient masters in spirit, collects and selects the finest works, and sets them as a guide for those to follow. The translation, annotations, and analyses in this book are all aimed at "excellence." In the modern translation, like "Three Hundred Poems of the Tang Dynasty," it adopts a "one-to-one" translation method.