Introduction to Song Ci

Name: Introduction to Song Ci
ISBN: 9787531744245

诸葛忆兵Northern Literature and Art Publishing House (Beifang Wenyi Chubanshe) · ChinaJul 2020

4.2

Word count: 104K words
Chapters: 16
ISBN: 9787531744245

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Summary

In the splendid garden of classical Chinese poetry, Song ci is a dazzling bloom. As a new lyrical form that holds its own against Tang poetry, Song ci possesses a distinctive aesthetic value. In broad terms, the development of Song ci can be divided into Northern Song ci and Southern Song ci. Northern Song ci falls roughly into four creative periods: the flourishing of xiaoling, the rise of manci, the creation of haofang ci, and the standardization of ci prosody. Influenced by the historical environment, Southern Song ci saw the emergence of a patriotic school represented by Xin Qiji. As the Southern Song settled into its diminished territorial status, the literati tendency toward the "refined and elegant" (fengya) in ci composition once again came to dominate the ci world. In clear, accessible language, this book introduces the basic literary features of Song ci and its fundamental course of development, serving as an introduction to the reading and appreciation of Song ci.

Editor's review

Zhuge Yibing's Introduction to Song Ci is a work of classical literary initiation that combines scholarly depth with an approachable reading experience. Unlike the poetry-appreciation anthologies common on the market, this book constructs a cognitive map for understanding the artistic appeal of Song ci through clear structure and precise interpretation. As a seasoned scholar in the field of ancient Chinese literature, the author does not confine himself to isolated appreciation of individual ci works, but focuses on tracing the overall course of Song ci's development, the formation and evolution of its major schools and styles, and the distinctive aesthetic qualities of ci as a literary form.

The book's most prominent value lies in the solidity of its "introduction" positioning. It is not content to let readers memorize a few famous pieces; rather, it guides them to understand why ci reached its peak in the Song dynasty, what social and cultural psychology lies behind the graceful (wanyue) and bold (haofang) styles, and how ci differs fundamentally from shi in prosody, language, and artistic conception. Mr. Zhuge's language is plain yet full of insight, capable of translating complex literary-historical knowledge and subtle artistic sensibilities into expressions that are easy to understand and digest, enabling ordinary readers to glimpse the wonders of the Song ci edifice.

For readers who wish to gain a systematic understanding of Song ci and enhance their cultivation in classical literature, this book offers an excellent starting point. It is like a learned and patiently guiding mentor who not only gives the reader fish (appreciation of classic works) but also teaches how to fish (methods of appreciation and historical perspective), helping readers build their own sustainable and deepening system for reading Song ci.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners interested in classical Chinese literature who wish to gain a systematic overview of Song ci.
Enthusiasts with some foundation in reading poetry who want to deepen their understanding of the stylistic features and artistic evolution of Song ci.
Teachers and students seeking a clear, reliable guide to Song ci to assist in teaching or knowledge organization.
Readers in an age of fragmented reading who desire to build a complete cognitive framework through a solid introductory work.

Not a good fit for

Readers who merely wish to skim famous lines and seek light, recreational reading.
Researchers who already possess a deep foundation in Song ci studies and seek cutting-edge academic viewpoints or specialized discussions.

Reading tips

Reading in chapter order is recommended: first establish a macro understanding of the history of Song ci and its stylistic features, then delve into specific schools and works.
While reading, one may extend the experience by reading the original representative ci works mentioned in the book to deepen understanding.
There is no need to rush; after finishing each chapter on a school or major ci poet, one may briefly review and sort out its artistic characteristics and historical position.

About the publisher

Northern Literature and Art Publishing House (Beifang Wenyi Chubanshe) China · Founded in 1961

Northern Literature and Art Publishing House focuses on contemporary and modern literary and artistic works, literary theory, and translations of foreign literature, while also covering categories such as history, popular science, Eastern philosophy, and world classics. Its collection includes 737 titles, with representative publications ranging from traditional Chinese classics such as Records of the Grand Historian, The Exploitation of the Works of Nature, and The Analects to foreign literary works including the complete classic plays of Shakespeare, Balzac's Old Goriot and Eugénie Grandet (in celebrated translations by Fu Lei), and The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Its author resources span classical figures such as Sima Qian, Song Yingxing, and Confucius, foreign writers such as Shakespeare and Balzac, and translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Fu Lei. The press combines the transmission of classics with an orientation toward general reading, developing a distinctive profile in both the editing of traditional texts and the translation of foreign literature. Public information is limited, so the above emphasizes the publishing profile reflected in the books held in the collection.

版权信息
前言
引言
第一章宋词的价值
第一节佳人檀板唱艳曲
第二节道是无情却有情
第二章北宋词
第一节晏欧词风
第二节柳永词风
第三节苏轼词风
第四节清真词风
第三章南宋词
第一节易安词风
第二节稼轩词风
第三节南宋风雅词人
结束语两宋词异同

FAQ

How is this book different from ordinary appreciations of the Three Hundred Song Ci?

This book focuses not on collecting and appreciating a large number of ci works one by one, but on serving as an "introduction." It explains more systematically the origins of Song ci, its course of development, the formation and characteristics of major styles and schools (such as the wanyue and haofang schools), and the artistic features of the ci form—background and framework knowledge aimed at helping readers build a cognitive system for understanding Song ci, rather than merely appreciating individual works.

Can someone with no foundation in classical literature understand it?

Yes. The book is positioned as an "introduction," and the author uses plain language as much as possible and provides necessary explanations of key concepts and basic literary-historical knowledge. As long as readers have patience and interest, they can fully follow the author's guidance and gradually enter the world of Song ci. It is precisely a work that builds a ladder for beginners.

Is the book highly academic? Is it dry?

The book has a reliable academic foundation, with solid viewpoints and historical materials, but its writing style leans toward guided reading and popularization rather than being a difficult academic monograph. The author focuses on translating academic knowledge into accessible narrative, with fluent writing and lively analysis of specific works, making it highly readable and unlikely to feel dry.

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About the author

诸葛忆兵 Author

Zhuge Yibing is an author whose writing focuses mainly on Song dynasty literature and history. Publicly available information about him is limited, and a complete account of his life is not yet available. Judging from the eleven works held in the library, his writing falls roughly into three areas: the history and popular study of ci poetry, as in A History of Northern Song Ci, An Introduction to Song Ci, and Three Hundred Song Ci Poems; the examination of ci in relation to Song society and the civil examination system, as in The Song Civil Examination System and the Evolution of Literature and Song Ci Talks About Song History; and historical narrative centered on individuals, as in Worrying First and Rejoicing Last: Fan Zhongyan's Official Career and Benevolent Heart and Li Qingzhao. Overall, his writing combines scholarly organization with readability, often starting from specific works and personal experience and linking institutional background and the spirit of the age to literary creation. It is well suited to general readers who wish to learn about Song ci and Song dynasty literature and history.