Entering Huangxi and Hearing Apes

Liu ZongyuanBashu Publishing House · ChinaNov 2020

4.2

Word count: 5.6K words
Chapters: 49

Summary

"Entering Huangxi and Hearing the Gibbon," a five-character quatrain by Liu Zongyuan. The poem was written when the poet, exiled to Yongzhou, sought relief from inner gloom by enjoying the landscape while visiting Huangxi.

Editor's review

This book is an edited edition of Liu Zongyuan's five-character quatrain "Entering Huangxi and Hearing the Gibbon," published by Bashu Publishing House in 2020. The poem was written during Liu Zongyuan's exile in Yongzhou, when the poet sought relief from inner gloom by enjoying the Huangxi landscape; though brief, it combines the charm of landscape with the thoughts of exile. Its reading value lies in two aspects: on one hand, a short poem offers a glimpse of Liu Zongyuan's state of mind and style during his Yongzhou period, showing how he conveys subtle emotions in clean, simple language; on the other hand, the arrangement of a single work in a separate edition helps readers focus on the text and savor its words and imagery in detail. It is suitable for lovers of classical poetry, researchers of Tang and Song literature, and readers interested in exile literature, and can also serve as supplementary material for poetry recitation and appreciation. Since the content centers on a single work, readers should combine it with Liu Zongyuan's other writings from the Yongzhou period and related background materials to better grasp the emotional layers and artistic features of the poem.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Lovers of classical poetry who enjoy Tang poetry and wish to read individual works closely
Students of ancient literature researching Liu Zongyuan and exile literature
Language teachers using it as supplementary reading for poetry appreciation and classroom extension
Readers who wish to savor mood and practice recitation through short poems

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a systematic understanding of Liu Zongyuan's complete poetic and prose works
Researchers needing detailed annotations, line-by-line explanations, and extensive textual scholarship
Ordinary readers who prefer long narratives or plot-driven reading

Reading tips

First read the whole poem, then experience its emotions in light of Liu Zongyuan's exile in Yongzhou
Read it alongside Liu Zongyuan's landscape writings from Yongzhou to compare similarities and differences in description and expression
While reciting, pay attention to the rhythm and diction of the five-character quatrain and appreciate the lingering flavor of its clean, simple language

About the publisher

Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.

版权信息
【桂州北望秦驿，手开竹径至钓矶，留待徐容州】柳宗元
【登柳州城楼寄漳汀封连四州】柳宗元
【柳州寄丈人周韶州】柳宗元
卷三百五十二
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【得卢衡州书因以诗寄】柳宗元
【答刘连州邦字】柳宗元
【岭南江行】柳宗元
【柳州峒氓】柳宗元
【酬徐二中丞普宁郡内池馆即事见寄】柳宗元
【酬贾鹏山人郡内新栽松寓兴见赠二首】柳宗元
【种柳戏题】柳宗元
【柳州二月榕叶落尽偶题】柳宗元
【浩初上人见贻绝句欲登仙人山因以酬之】柳宗元
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【殷贤戏批书后寄刘连州并示孟仑二童】柳宗元
【重赠二首】柳宗元
【叠前】柳宗元
【叠后】柳宗元
【铜鱼使赴都寄亲友】柳宗元
【韩漳州书报彻上人亡因寄二绝】柳宗元
【柳州城西北隅种柑树】柳宗元
【闻彻上人亡寄侍郎杨丈】柳宗元
【段九秀才处见亡友吕衡州书迹】柳宗元
【柳州寄京中亲故】柳宗元
【种木槲花】柳宗元
【摘樱桃赠元居士，时在望仙亭南楼与朱道士同处】柳宗元
【酬曹侍御过象县见寄（象县，柳州县名）】柳宗元
【法华寺石门精舍三十韵】柳宗元
【游朝阳岩遂登西亭二十韵】柳宗元
【湘口馆潇湘二水所会】柳宗元
【登蒲州石矶望横江口潭岛深迥斜对香零山】柳宗元
【南涧中题】柳宗元
【游石角过小岭至长乌村】柳宗元
【与崔策登西山（策字子符，集有送崔九序）】柳宗元
【构法华寺西亭】柳宗元
【夏夜苦热登西楼】柳宗元
【觉衰】柳宗元
【游南亭夜还叙志七十韵】柳宗元
【韦道安（道安尝佐张建封于徐州，及军乱而道安自杀）】柳宗元
【哭连州凌员外司马（凌员外准也）】柳宗元
【旦携谢山人至愚池】柳宗元
【独觉】柳宗元
【首春逢耕者】柳宗元
【溪居】柳宗元
【夏初雨后寻愚溪】柳宗元

FAQ

What is the background of this poem?

The poem was written during Liu Zongyuan's exile in Yongzhou. The poet sought relief from inner gloom by enjoying the landscape and wrote it upon hearing a gibbon while visiting Huangxi; the poem therefore contains both clear landscape scenes and the subtle feelings of an exiled person.

How can reading just one poem be more rewarding?

It is advisable to read it within the sequence of Liu Zongyuan's Yongzhou-period writings and to understand his state of mind in light of his landscape travel records and other poems. At the same time, recite it repeatedly and pay attention to diction and rhythm in the five-character quatrain, experiencing the emotional layers within its short length.

Is this book suitable for classroom appreciation?

Yes. The single-work edition facilitates focus on the text and is suitable as supplementary material for poetry appreciation. Teachers can add annotations and background and guide students to discuss diction, imagery, and emotion.

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About the author

Liu Zongyuan Author · Chinese

Liu Zongyuan (773–819), courtesy name Zihou, was a native of Hedong (present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi) in the Tang Dynasty. A renowned writer, thinker and statesman, he is counted among the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. Together with Han Yu he championed the Classical Prose Movement, and he achieved distinction in both prose and poetry. The library holds 17 of his works, spanning categories such as classical poetry, social sciences, classic works and literary appreciation, including the multi-volume Collected Works of Liu Zongyuan, an anthology of the Eight Great Prose Masters featuring Liu Zongyuan, and Twelve Tang Nao Ge Drum and Bugle Songs. His representative works, such as The Eight Records of Yongzhou, The Story of the Snake Catcher and River Snow, express feeling through landscape, critique social ills, or convey aspirations through objects, with concise language and profound meaning that have deeply influenced later prose and poetry. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so this introduction focuses on his literary achievements and the character of his works.