黄滔

Huang Tao, whose dates of birth and death, place of origin and English name are unknown, has only limited publicly available information. At present, four of his works are recorded: Chang'an Shu Shi (Letters from Chang'an), Ji Congxiong Pu (To My Elder Cousin Pu), Ji Tongnian Feng Sheren Wei (To My Fellow Examinee, Secretary Feng Wei), and Chang'an Shu Shi again. Judging from these titles, his writing centers on the scenes of Chang'an, reflections on travel, and poetic exchanges with relatives, friends and fellow examinees. His work falls within the tradition of classical poetry and also carries an inspirational, self-cultivating emotional tone. The repeated appearance of Chang'an Shu Shi suggests that it is his most closely attended representative piece. Because no verifiable biographical records survive, his official career, circle of acquaintances and full body of work cannot be reconstructed; yet the themes and genres of the extant titles suggest a writer familiar with the Tang literati conventions of letter-writing, poetic reply and lyrical expression, with a plain and condensed style that dwells on personal fortune and friendship. Through these titles, readers may gain a sense of his manner of expressing feeling through scenery and entrusting his thoughts to verse.