Songs of Chu
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in the fountainhead of classical Chinese literature
- Literature enthusiasts hoping to understand Qu Yuan's spirit and famous lines from Chu Ci
- Readers who need allusions for writing or choosing names
- Middle school, high school, and university students broadening their reading of classical poetry and prose
Not a good fit for
- Readers who want only modern Chinese translations and are unwilling to engage with the original text
- People who lack patience for pre-Qin literature and prefer fast-paced reading
- Readers who need only simple plot summaries rather than the poetic text
Reading tips
- Begin with Luo Yuming's introduction and annotations, then read each piece aloud alongside the original text to experience the rhythm and emotion of Chu Ci.
- Start with Li Sao, select famous lines to copy out and look up their allusions, then gradually expand to pieces such as Jiu Ge and Tian Wen.
- Read in parallel with works by later literati such as Sima Qian and Li Bai to sense the thread of Chu Ci's spiritual transmission.
About the publisher
Founded in 1985, Shaanxi Sanqin Publishing House focuses on the collation of ancient books and works on literature and history, maintaining a sustained commitment to classical literature and historical reading. Its books in the database consist mainly of collated editions of Chinese classics, such as recent editions of Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, often issued in complete or multi-volume sets for systematic reading; works such as A New Account of the Tales of the World and Tao'an Mengyi: A Newly Annotated Complete Translation emphasize annotation and popularization. Its author resources include original authors such as Wu Cheng'en, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, and Shi Nai'an, as well as critics, editors, and researchers such as Jin Shengtan, Mao Zonggang, Liu Yiqing, and Liu Qiang. Common categories include classical literature, literary appreciation, classic works, historical reading, military studies, and ancient poetry, reflecting a publishing approach that combines the collation of classic texts, critical appreciation, and the popularization of literature and history. As public information is limited, this overview of its publishing directions is based only on the books in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 版本说明
- 楚辞 上卷
- 屈原
- 离骚
- 九歌
- 东皇太一
- 云中君
- 湘君
- 湘夫人
- 大司命
- 少司命
- 东君
- 河伯
- 山鬼
- 国殇
- 礼魂
- 天问
- 九章
- 惜诵
- 涉江
- 哀郢
- 抽思
- 怀沙
- 思美人
- 惜往日
- 橘颂
- 悲回风
- 远游
- 卜居
- 渔父
- 楚辞 下卷
- 九辩
- 招魂
- 大招
- 惜誓
- 招隐士
- 七谏
- 初放
- 沈江
- 怨世
- 怨思
- 自悲
- 哀命
- 谬谏
- 哀时命
- 九怀
- 匡机
- 通路
- 危俊
- 昭世
- 尊嘉
- 蓄英
- 思忠
- 陶壅
- 株昭
- 九叹
- 逢纷
- 离世
- 怨思
- 远逝
- 惜贤
- 忧苦
- 愍命
- 思古
- 远游
- 九思
- 逢尤
- 怨上
- 疾世
- 悯上
- 遭厄
- 悼乱
- 伤时
- 哀岁
- 守志
- 附录 吊屈原赋
- 后记
FAQ
What is the difference between Chu Ci and the Shi Jing?
Can I understand this book without a foundation in classical Chinese?
Why does Qu Yuan's work have such a great influence?
Comments
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About the author
Qu Yuan is one of the most important poets in the history of Chinese literature, though public sources offer limited detail about his life, and neither his dates nor his nationality are clearly recorded. Judging from the works handed down under his name, he drew on the language and mythology of the Chu region and pioneered a lyrical, imaginative style known as sao poetry. The library holds 10 of his works, including the signature pieces Li Sao and Jiu Ge, as well as several editions of Chu Ci: an unannotated version, a general collection, a fully annotated, translated and phonetic edition, and a vernacular metrical rendering. These works span ancient poetry, folk literature, Eastern philosophy and culture; they are intense in feeling and rich in wondrous imagery, often using fragrant herbs and beautiful figures to express inner concerns. Qu Yuan exerted a profound influence on later poetry, and his works remain essential texts for studying pre-Qin literature and thought.
Luo Yuming was born in Shanghai in July 1951. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University, an editorial board member of Cihai and chief editor of its classical Chinese literature section, with research focusing on the literature of the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties. His writings combine literary history with close reading of classics: he co-edited the three-volume History of Chinese Literature with Zhang Peiheng, and has also addressed a wider readership through works such as A Brief History of Chinese Literature, Close Readings of A New Account of Tales of the World, and Zen in Poetry. His approach starts from concrete texts and makes ancient poetry, anecdotal literature, and intellectual themes clear and accessible. The ten works held here, including Lectures on Classical Poetry, True Meaning in Poetry, Detailed Explanations of A New Account of Tales of the World, Lectures on Classical Chinese Literature, and The Book of Songs, reflect this balance of scholarship and readability. Some of his works have been translated into English, Japanese, and Korean.
