The Complete Poems of Liu Cha

全唐诗Apr 2024

3.9

Word count: 2K words
Chapters: 28

Summary

This poetry collection is part of the Complete Tang Poems. It was compiled by imperial order during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty by Peng Dingqiu, Yang Zhongne, Shen Sanceng, Pan Conglü, Xu Shuben, Che Dingjin, Wang Yi, Zha Sicheng, Yu Mei, and others, with Cao Yin overseeing the final printing. It not only comprehensively reflects the flourishing of Tang poetry but also serves as important material for studying Tang history, culture, and education.

Editor's review

Among Tang poets, Liu Cha is a distinctive figure with a small surviving body of work, known for his rugged, sharply angular style and direct expression of feeling—clearly set apart from the painstaking or ornate currents of his time. This collection draws on Liu Cha's poems as preserved in the Complete Tang Poems; its textual lineage is clear, and though limited in scope, it gives readers a glimpse of this poet's stern yet sharp-edged character. For readers who have already read the major figures—Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei—and want to expand their map of Tang poetry, this slim collection makes a fitting supplement. Its value lies not in scale but in offering a sample of Tang poetic taste different from the mainstream, helping readers understand the diversity of the Tang poetic ecosystem. Read it as a short excursion: don't strive for systematic completeness; instead, read poem by poem, noting distinctive word choices, tone, and conception, then compare briefly with poets of the same era for a more concrete takeaway.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers who have read the major Tang poets and want to broaden their reading
Literature lovers interested in minor Tang poets and the compilation of the Complete Tang Poems
Chinese teachers needing short Tang poems for classroom enrichment
Poetry readers who enjoy rugged, sharply angular, directly expressive styles

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking a systematic overview of Tang poetry or a grand anthology
Research-oriented readers who prefer extensive annotations and detailed background scholarship
Those who only want familiar famous poems and have limited interest in obscure poets

Reading tips

Read through once without straining for full understanding, mark the few poems that resonate most, then return for a closer read.
Jot down distinctive word choices and tones as you read, and compare briefly with Li Bai, Han Yu, and others.
Consult the relevant volumes of the Complete Tang Poems to understand this collection's place and appearance within the larger anthology.

版权信息
冰柱
雪车
修养
勿执古寄韩潮州
答孟东野
自古无长生劝姚合酒
独饮
作诗
天津桥
嘲荆卿
代牛言
莫问卜
观八骏图
经战地
野哭
古怨
烈士咏
狂夫
饿咏
自问
入蜀
塞上逢卢仝
偶书
爱碣山石
与孟东野
姚秀才爱予小剑因赠
老恨

FAQ

Does this book contain all of Liu Cha's poems?

This collection draws on Liu Cha's poems as preserved in the Complete Tang Poems and is part of that anthology. Liu Cha's surviving output is small to begin with, and this collection largely reflects how his work appears in the Complete Tang Poems, but it should not be understood as an independent, comprehensive edition of recovered works.

Can I read this collection without any background in Tang poetry?

You can, but some prior experience with Tang poetry is recommended. Liu Cha's style is rugged and unconventional, with word choices and conceptions that often depart from the norm; beginners without reference points may find it alienating. Reading some famous works first will make the experience smoother.

How should I pace my reading of this slim collection?

It is short enough to finish in two or three sessions. On the first pass, read through to sense the overall tone; on the second, pick the poems that impressed you most for a closer read and try comparing them with poets of the same era. Don't feel compelled to fully grasp every poem.

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About the author

全唐诗 Author

"Quan Tang Shi" is not the name of an individual poet, but a comprehensive anthology of Tang poetry compiled during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. The attribution "Quan Tang Shi" actually stands for the group of editors behind this large imperially commissioned work. The anthology gathers a vast range of Tang poems, generally including all poets whose works survive, and the 287 items in this collection derive from it, comprising the complete works of poets such as Wang Wei, Li Bai, Li Shangyin, Du Mu, Chen Zi'ang, Cui Hao, Zhang Jiuling, and Bai Juyi. In subject and style, these works cover landscape and pastoral verse, frontier and military themes, historical reflection, and farewell and occasional poetry, offering a fairly complete picture of Tang poetry. Public information about the individual editors is limited; nevertheless, for its breadth and documentary value, the anthology has long been regarded as an important foundation for studying Tang poetry and for literary appreciation.