Six Dynasties poetry
Encyclopedia
Six dynasties poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the Six dynasties
era of China (220CE -589CE). This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a unique period in Classical Chinese poetry' which, over this time period, developed a poetry with special emphasis on romantic love
, gender roles, and human relationships. The Six Dynasties era covers three main periods: the Three Kingdoms
(220
–280
), Jin Dynasty
(265
–420
), and Southern and Northern Dynasties
(420
–589
).
) style prominent in the poetry of the Han Dynasty
and the revival and experimentation with the older forms during the Tang dynasty
.
(155-220), who may be reckoned in this period, although actually beginning his career in the Later/Eastern Han era. That is, the final years at the End of the Han Dynasty and during which the Cao family was rising, or risen, to prominence were known as the Jian'an era (196-220): the following period is known as the Three Kingdoms
era, due to the three kingdoms which succeeded the Han Dynasty, and proceeded to vie with one another for succeion to the Han empire. Twenty-four of Cao Cao's poems survive. Cao Cao and his son and successor to power, Cao Pi
, were both noted as patrons of literature. Altogether the Cao family, especially Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhi, in association with other poets helped to form the Jian'an
style. Cao Zhi is also noted for his association with the dramatically composed and life saving poem known as "The Quatrain of Seven Steps
". Cao Pi wrote an essay Seven Scholars of Jian'an
which was influential in the development of the Jian'an school of poetry. One of the poet's patronized by Cao Cao and considered to be one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an" was Xu Gan
(170 - 217). Another poet in this group was Wang Can
(177–217).
, Ruan Ji
, Ruan Xian
, Xiang Xiu
, Wang Rong and Shan Tao
gathered in a bamboo
grove near the house of Xi Kang
(aka Ji Kang) in Shanyang
(now in Henan
province) where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The Seven Sages stressed the enjoyment of ale, personal freedom, spontaneity and a celebration of nature.
of 42 literati included Xie An
and Sun Chuo (孙绰) at the Orchid Pavilion near Shaoxing, Zhejiang
, during the Spring Purification Festival to compose poems and enjoy the wine. The gentlemen had engaged in a drinking contest: wine cups were floated down a small winding creek as the men sat along its banks; whenever a cup stopped, the man closest to the cup was required to empty it and write a poem. In the end, twenty-six of the participants composed thirty-seven poems. The Preface to the poems is also famous.
also known as Ziye, or "Lady Midnight" style, supposedly originating with an eponymously-named fourth century professional singer
of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
poet and official, Zhang Hua
(232-300), was actually born before the creation of the Jin Dynasty, however he flourished poetically during it, and died during it (as a result of the War of the Eight Princes
).
were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas (304-439), chronologically overlapping the end of the Jin Dynasty and the actual establishment of the full Southern and Northern Dynasties
period. One noted poet of this time, somewhere in the Fourth Century, was Su Hui
. Typically, for female poets of this time and place in history, almost all of her literary works are lost. Her sole surviving piece is of the huiren shi genre.
. Several poets were associated with it.
Wang Jung (468 - 494) was one of the most important of the Yongming poets. He became quite involved in political affairs. Eventually this involvement resulted in his early death.
Fan Yun
(451 - 503) was another of the Yongming poets,
Su Xiaoxiao
(蘇小小, died c. 501), also known as Su Xiaojun, or "Little Su", was a famous courtesan and poet from Qiantang city (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China) in the Southern Qi Dynasty (479–502).
, compiled by Xu Ling
(507-83), under the patronage of Crown Prince Xiao Gang (Later known as Emperor Jianwen
) of the Liang Dynasty
.
Six Dynasties
Six Dynasties is a collective noun for six Chinese dynasties during the periods of the Three Kingdoms , Jin Dynasty , and Southern and Northern Dynasties ....
era of China (220CE -589CE). This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a unique period in Classical Chinese poetry' which, over this time period, developed a poetry with special emphasis on romantic love
Romantic love
Romance is the pleasurable feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's love, or one's deep emotional desires to connect with another person....
, gender roles, and human relationships. The Six Dynasties era covers three main periods: the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
(220
220
Year 220 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Antonius and Eutychianus...
–280
280
Year 280 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Messalla and Gratus...
), Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
(265
265
Year 265 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valerianus and Lucillus...
–420
420
Year 420 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Theodosius and Constantius...
), and Southern and Northern Dynasties
Southern and Northern Dynasties
The Southern and Northern Dynasties was a period in the history of China that lasted from 420 to 589 AD. Though an age of civil war and political chaos, it was also a time of flourishing arts and culture, advancement in technology, and the spreading of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism...
(420
420
Year 420 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Theodosius and Constantius...
–589
589
Year 589 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 589 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* October 17 – The Adige River...
).
Context
The Six dynasties poetic period formed an important link between the folk-ballad (yue fuYue fu
Yue fu are Chinese poems composed in a folk song style. The term literally means "Music Bureau", a reference to the government organisation originally charged with collecting or writing the lyrics....
) style prominent in the poetry of the Han Dynasty
Han poetry
Han poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the Han Dynasty era of China. This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a special period in Classical Chinese poetry, particularly in regard to a new style of shi...
and the revival and experimentation with the older forms during the Tang dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
.
Jian'an and the Three Kingdoms
The development of Chinese poetry does not correspond precisely with the conventional dating by dynastic succession, despite the fact that there are correspondences between the two, the period of actual transition between dynasties is especially problematic. This is indeed the case in discussing the important poets in the late Han and early Six Dynasties period, including the famous general Cao CaoCao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
(155-220), who may be reckoned in this period, although actually beginning his career in the Later/Eastern Han era. That is, the final years at the End of the Han Dynasty and during which the Cao family was rising, or risen, to prominence were known as the Jian'an era (196-220): the following period is known as the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era, due to the three kingdoms which succeeded the Han Dynasty, and proceeded to vie with one another for succeion to the Han empire. Twenty-four of Cao Cao's poems survive. Cao Cao and his son and successor to power, Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
, were both noted as patrons of literature. Altogether the Cao family, especially Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhi, in association with other poets helped to form the Jian'an
Jian'an poetry
Jian'an poetry, or Chien'an poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Six dynasties era of China...
style. Cao Zhi is also noted for his association with the dramatically composed and life saving poem known as "The Quatrain of Seven Steps
The Quatrain of Seven Steps
The Seven Steps Verse, also known as the Quatrain of Seven Steps , is a highly allegorical poem of Classical Chinese literature that is usually attributed to the dynastical work Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
". Cao Pi wrote an essay Seven Scholars of Jian'an
Seven Scholars of Jian'an
Seven scholars of Jian'an , also translated as the "seven philosophers of Jian'an", or the "seven masters of Jian'an", is composed of seven Chinese intellectuals of the Eastern Han period. The name was coined by Cao Pi. "Jian'an" refers to the 196—220 period during the rulership of the Emperor Xian...
which was influential in the development of the Jian'an school of poetry. One of the poet's patronized by Cao Cao and considered to be one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an" was Xu Gan
Xu Gan
Xu Gan was a philosopher and poet of the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was known in the cohort of the Seven scholars of Jian'an 建安七子 ....
(170 - 217). Another poet in this group was Wang Can
Wang Can
Wang Can was a politician, scholar and poet during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He contributed greatly to the establishment of laws and standards during the founding days of the Principality of Wei – predecessor to the later Cao Wei kingdom – under Cao Cao...
(177–217).
Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
As is traditionally depicted, the group wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of court life during the politically fraught Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The other members, Liu LingLiu Ling
Liu Ling , born 221 and died 300, was a Chinese poet and scholar. Little information survives about his family background, though he is described in historical sources as short and unattractive, with a dissipated appearance....
, Ruan Ji
Ruan Ji
Ruǎn Jí is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He is associated with the guqin melody, Jiu Kuang which was believed to be composed by him.- Historical background :...
, Ruan Xian
Ruan Xian
Ruan Xian , a Chinese scholar who lived during the Six Dynasties period, is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. He was a skilled player of the Chinese lute, an old version of pipa which has been called ruan after his name since the Tang Dynasty. His achievement in music reached such high as...
, Xiang Xiu
Xiang Xiu
Xiang Xiu is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.His most famous contribution is a commentary on the Zhuangzi, which was later used and amended by Guo Xiang. After his friend Xi Kang was killed by the ruling Jin dynasty, Xiang carefully interpreted his previous antagonistic words to the...
, Wang Rong and Shan Tao
Shan Tao (Taoist)
Shan Tao is one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove....
gathered in a bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
grove near the house of Xi Kang
Xi Kang
Ji Kang was a Chinese author, poet, Taoist philosopher, musician and alchemist. He was one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.-Biography:As a thinker, Ji Kang Ji Kang(223–262) was a Chinese author, poet, Taoist philosopher, musician and alchemist. He was one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo...
(aka Ji Kang) in Shanyang
Shanyang
Shanyang may refer to:*Shanyang County, county in Shaanxi, China*Shanyang District, district in Jiaozuo, Henan, China*Shanyang Formation, geological formation in Shaanxi, China...
(now in Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
province) where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The Seven Sages stressed the enjoyment of ale, personal freedom, spontaneity and a celebration of nature.
The Orchid Pavilion Gathering
The Orchid Pavilion GatheringOrchid Pavilion Gathering
The Orchid Pavilion Gathering was a cultural and poetic event during the Six Dynasties era, in China. This event itself has a certain inherent and poetic interest in regards to the development of landscape poetry and the philosophical ideas of Zhuangzi...
of 42 literati included Xie An
Xie An
200px|right|thumb|Statue of xie anXie An , courtesy name Anshi , formally Duke Wenjing of Luling , was a Jin Dynasty statesman who, despite his lack of military ability, led Jin through a major crisis—attacks by Former Qin...
and Sun Chuo (孙绰) at the Orchid Pavilion near Shaoxing, Zhejiang
Shaoxing
Shaoxing is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Located on the south bank of the Qiantang River estuary, it borders Ningbo to the east, Taizhou to the southeast, Jinhua to the southwest, and Hangzhou to the west. It was once known as "越"...
, during the Spring Purification Festival to compose poems and enjoy the wine. The gentlemen had engaged in a drinking contest: wine cups were floated down a small winding creek as the men sat along its banks; whenever a cup stopped, the man closest to the cup was required to empty it and write a poem. In the end, twenty-six of the participants composed thirty-seven poems. The Preface to the poems is also famous.
Midnight Songs poetry
Also significant, is the Midnight Songs poetryMidnight Songs poetry
Midnight Songs poetry , also Tzu-yeh Songs, refers both to a genre of poetry as well as to specifically collected poems under the same name, during the Fourth Century CE...
also known as Ziye, or "Lady Midnight" style, supposedly originating with an eponymously-named fourth century professional singer
Sing-song girls
Sing-song girls is an English term for the courtesans in China during the early 19th century.-Origin:Prior to the founding of modern China in 1911, concubinage was legal. In Chinese custom, males carry the family name and the family's heritage after marriage...
of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
Tao Yuanming
Tao Yuanming, also known as Tao Qian, lived from 365–427. He was associated with the Field and Garden genre, and has been especially noted for portraying immediate experience in an own natural voice style.Other Jin Dynasty poets
Counted as a Jin DynastyJin Dynasty
Jin Dynasty may refer to:* Jin Dynasty , Chinese dynasty, subdivided into the Western and Eastern Jin periods* Later Jin Dynasty , one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China.* Jin Dynasty , a Jurchen kingdom in northern China* Later Jīn Dynasty, or...
poet and official, Zhang Hua
Zhang Hua
Zhang Hua , style name Maoxian , was a Jin Dynasty official and poet. He was a native of Fangcheng County, Zhili.-Background:...
(232-300), was actually born before the creation of the Jin Dynasty, however he flourished poetically during it, and died during it (as a result of the War of the Eight Princes
War of the Eight Princes
The War of the Eight Princes or Rebellion of the Eight Kings or Rebellion of the Eight Princes was a civil war for power among princes and dukes of the Chinese Jin Dynasty from AD 291 to AD 306. It was fought mostly in northern China and devastated the country, later triggering the Wu Hu ravaging...
).
Sixteen Kingdoms poetry
The Sixteen KingdomsSixteen Kingdoms
The Sixteen Kingdoms, or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas from 304 to 439 AD after the retreat of the Jin Dynasty to South China and before the establishment of the Northern Dynasties...
were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas (304-439), chronologically overlapping the end of the Jin Dynasty and the actual establishment of the full Southern and Northern Dynasties
Southern and Northern Dynasties
The Southern and Northern Dynasties was a period in the history of China that lasted from 420 to 589 AD. Though an age of civil war and political chaos, it was also a time of flourishing arts and culture, advancement in technology, and the spreading of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism...
period. One noted poet of this time, somewhere in the Fourth Century, was Su Hui
Su Hui (poet)
Su Hui was a Chinese poet of the Middle Sixteen Kingdoms period. Her Chinese style name or courtesy name is Yun Yan . She is most famous for her extremely complex "palindrome" poem, apparently having innovated the genre, as well as producing the most complex example to date...
. Typically, for female poets of this time and place in history, almost all of her literary works are lost. Her sole surviving piece is of the huiren shi genre.
Yongming
The Yongming (Yung-ming) period was from 483-493. Yongming was an era name of Emperor Wu of Southern QiEmperor Wu of Southern Qi
Emperor Wu of Southern Qi , personal name Xiao Ze , courtesy name Xuanyuan , nickname Long'er , was the second emperor of the Chinese Southern Qi Dynasty...
. Several poets were associated with it.
Wang Jung (468 - 494) was one of the most important of the Yongming poets. He became quite involved in political affairs. Eventually this involvement resulted in his early death.
Fan Yun
Fan Yun
Fan Yun was born in Wuyin and lived during the Southern Qi dynasty. He learned to write poems at the age of eight and had a quick wit. He was a personal friend of Emperor Wu, and was held authority as his prime minister without actually being so titled....
(451 - 503) was another of the Yongming poets,
Su Xiaoxiao
Su Xiaoxiao
Su Xiaoxiao , also known as Su Xiaojun and sometimes by the appellation "Little Su", was a famous courtesan and poet from Qiantang city in the Southern Qi Dynasty...
(蘇小小, died c. 501), also known as Su Xiaojun, or "Little Su", was a famous courtesan and poet from Qiantang city (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China) in the Southern Qi Dynasty (479–502).
Liang dynasty and the jade terrace
Especially important, and frequently translated into English, is the anthology New Songs from the Jade TerraceNew Songs from the Jade Terrace
New Songs from the Jade Terrace is a collection of Chinese poetry dating to the time of the Six Dynasties. Its poems have frequently been translated and have otherwise been of great artistic influence around the world. Although there is uncertainty about the authorship of the individual poems, the...
, compiled by Xu Ling
Xu Ling
Xu Ling was the compiler and editor of the famous poetry anthology New Songs from the Jade Terrace during the poetically prolific Southern Dynasties era, 420–589...
(507-83), under the patronage of Crown Prince Xiao Gang (Later known as Emperor Jianwen
Emperor Jianwen of Liang
Emperor Jianwen of Liang , personal name Xiao Gang , courtesy name Shizuan , nickname Liutong , was an emperor of the Chinese Liang Dynasty. He was initially not the crown prince of his father Emperor Wu, the founder of the dynasty, but became the crown prince in 531 after his older brother Xiao...
) of the Liang Dynasty
Liang Dynasty
The Liang Dynasty , also known as the Southern Liang Dynasty , was the third of the Southern dynasties in China and was followed by the Chen Dynasty...
.
See also
- Classical Chinese poetryClassical Chinese poetrythumb|right|300px|Attributed to [[Han Gan]], Huiyebai , about 750CE .Classical Chinese poetry is that type of poetry that is the traditional Chinese poetry written in Classical Chinese. It is typified by certain traditional forms, or modes, and certain traditional genres...
- Classical Chinese poetry genresClassical Chinese poetry genresthumb|right|350px|"Reading in Autumn Scenery", Palace Museum, Beijing by [[Shen Zhou]], about 1500 CE .Classical Chinese poetry forms are those genres which typify the traditional Chinese poems written in Classical Chinese...
- Lantingji Xu in reference to the Orchid Pavilion gathering
- Seven Sages of the Bamboo GroveSeven Sages of the Bamboo GroveThe Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove were a group of Chinese Taoist Qingtan scholars, writers, and musicians who came together in the 3rd century CE. Although the individual members all existed, their interconnection is not entirely certain...
- Tang poetryTang poetryTang poetry refers to poetry written in or around the time of and in the characteristic style of China's Tang dynasty, and/or follows a certain style, often considered as the Golden Age of Chinese poetry...
- Han poetryHan poetryHan poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the Han Dynasty era of China. This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a special period in Classical Chinese poetry, particularly in regard to a new style of shi...
External links
- Lan Ting Xu (bilingual text of Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion with hypertext dictionary access)