Written at Imperial Command

Fusheng Wu

Description

This is the first book-length study of panegyric poetry—yingzhao shi or poetry presented to imperial rulers—in the Chinese tradition. Examining poems presented during the Wei-Jin Nanbeichao, or early medieval period (220–619), Fusheng Wu provides a thorough exploration of the sociopolitical background against which these poems were written and a close analysis of the formal conventions of the poems.

By reconstructing the human drama behind the composition of these poems, Wu shows that writing under imperial command could be a matter of grave consequence. The poets' work could determine the rise and fall of careers, or even cost lives. While panegyric poetry has been largely dismissed as perfunctory and insincere, such poems reveal much about the relations between monarchs and the intellectuals they patronized and also compels us to reexamine the canonical Chinese notion of poetic production as personal, spontaneous expression.
Acknowledgments
Introduction

1. Han Epideictic Rhapsody: The Prototype of Panegyric Poetry

2. Self-Foregrounding in the Panegyric Poetry of the Jian’an Era

3. Archaic Elegance in the Panegyric Poetry of the Jin Dynasty

4. Addressing the Best and Worst of Rulers: Panegyric Poetry of the Liu Song Dynasty

5. Praising Rulers throughout Calm and Conspiracy: The Southern Qi Dynasty

6. The Flourishing of Panegyric Poetry during the Liang Dynasty

7. Poetry’s Embarrassment: Panegyric Poetry of the Chen Dynasty

8. Becoming Chinese: Panegyric Poetry during the Northern Dynasties

9. Matching Poems with a Cruel but Talented Ruler: The Sui Dynasty

Conclusion
Notes 
Bibliography
Index

Sujets

• History of Asia
• Asia
• China

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791478721
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Written at Imperial Command

SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture

Roger T. Ames,editor

Written at Imperial Command Panenric Poetry in Early Medieval China  Fusheng Wu

S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W Y O R K P R E S S

Published by S U  N Y P Albany

© 2008 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Cover illustration is from the Hu Kejia edition ofWenxuan(1809), reprinted in 1977 by the Zhonghua Book Company in Beijing.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Michael Campochiaro

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wu, Fusheng, 1959–  Written at imperial command : panegyric poetry in early medieval China / Fusheng Wu.  p. cm. — (SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture)  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 978-0-7914-7369-6 (alk. paper)  1. Chinese poetry—206 B.C.–618 A.D.—History and criticism. 2. Laudatory poetry— History and criticism. I. Title. II. Title: Panegyric poetry in early medieval China.

PL2313.W82 2008 895.1'1209—dc22

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2007024536

To my parents, who first taught me how to read Chinese poetry

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Acknowledgments

Introduction

Contents 

Han Epideictic Rhapsody: The Prototype of Panegyric Poetry

Self-Foregrounding in the Panegyric Poetry of the Jian’an Era

Archaic Elegance in the Panegyric Poetry of the Jin Dynasty

Addressing the Best and Worst of Rulers: Panegyric Poetry of the Liu Song Dynasty

Praising Rulers throughout Calm and Conspiracy: The Southern Qi Dynasty

The Flourishing of Panegyric Poetry during the Liang Dynasty

Poetry’s Embarrassment: Panegyric Poetry of the Chen Dynasty

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contents

Becoming Chinese: Panegyric Poetry during the Northern Dynasties

Matching Poems with a Cruel but Talented Ruler: The Sui Dynasty

Conclusion

Notes Bibliography Index

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Acknowledgments 

I want to express my gratitude to friends and colleagues who have read various parts of this book and who have offered their invaluable suggestions: David Lattimore, Dore J. Levy, Brian Kern, Deborah Porter, Margaret Wan, and Eric Hutton. I was the recipient of a Faculty Fellow Award from the University Research Committee of the University of Utah. The College of Humanities of the university also granted me a sabbatical leave in the 2004-05 academic year. I would like to thank them for their generous support. The two anonymous readers of SUNY Press offered their helpful comments and suggestions. Jane Kepp’s editorial expertise helped me to prepare a polished book. The excel- lent advice from Diane Ganeles, senior production editor at SUNY Press, has made the production process painless and enjoyable. Finally, I would like to thank Nancy Ellegate, senior acquisition editor at SUNY Press, for her aston- ishing efficiency—the entire reviewing process took only three months. It has been truly a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with her again. The writing of this book coincided with the birth and growth of Adrian, our second child, who is now six years old. Adrian and his brother, Jeremy, helped me to place this project in a fitting place in my life. In doing so, they have taught me an important lesson about life and work in general. My wife, Xiaolian, has never failed to offer me her love, understanding, and appre- ciation. Without them, this otherwise strictly academic undertaking would never have been so fulfilling. I must thank Wu Yun and Ji Yu, my parents, and Carl and Margaret Engelhart, my teachers and friends, for whatever I achieve in my life. They provide me with their affection and wisdom that I will always need in trying to lead a meaningful, balanced life in this increasingly uncertain world.

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