离骚全图 cover

离骚全图

Rating 4.5
Word count
223K words
Chapters
41
ISBN
9787532582075

Tags

Summary

The Complete Illustrations of Li Sao is a print collection created by the renowned late Ming–early Qing painter Xiao Yuncong, based on Qu Yuan's Li Sao and meticulously edited and published by Shanghai Classics Publishing House. This book is not a simple facsimile of an ancient edition but a exemplary work that deeply integrates literary classic and pictorial art. Xiao Yuncong lived at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties; his Li Sao illustrations are not only a visual representation of Qu Yuan's magnificent imagination and loyal integrity but also convey the painter's own feelings for his country and his sentiments as a remnant subject. The lines are archaic and vigorous, the compositions extraordinary, filled with romantic symbolism and metaphor, transforming the allegorical tradition of "fragrant herbs and beautiful women" in Li Sao into tangible visual imagery. In terms of publishing value, this edition, while preserving the spirit of the original paintings, clearly presents the details and layers of the prints through modern printing technology and includes necessary collations and interpretations, greatly lowering the threshold for reading classical illustrated works. For readers, this book offers a new dimension for understanding Li Sao—no longer mere textual reading but entry into an aesthetic space of mutual interpretation between image and text. It is both a precious resource for studying ancient Chinese literary illustration, the history of printmaking, and the cultural mentality at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and a distinctive window for general enthusiasts into the aesthetic world of the Chu Ci.

Editor's review

The Complete Illustrations of Li Sao is a print collection created by the late Ming–early Qing painter Xiao Yuncong based on Qu Yuan's Li Sao, meticulously edited and published by Shanghai Classics Publishing House. This book is not a simple facsimile of an ancient edition but a model of deep integration between literary classic and pictorial art. Xiao Yuncong lived at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties; his Li Sao illustrations are not only a visual representation of Qu Yuan's magnificent imagination and loyal integrity but also convey the painter's own feelings for his country and his sentiments as a remnant subject. The lines are archaic and vigorous, the compositions extraordinary, filled with romantic symbolism and metaphor, transforming the allegorical tradition of "fragrant herbs and beautiful women" in Li Sao into tangible visual imagery. In terms of publishing value, this edition, while preserving the spirit of the original paintings, clearly presents the details and layers of the prints through modern printing technology and includes necessary collations and interpretations, greatly lowering the threshold for reading classical illustrated works. For readers, this book offers a new dimension for understanding Li Sao—no longer mere textual reading but entry into an aesthetic space of mutual interpretation between image and text. It is both a precious resource for studying ancient Chinese literary illustration, the history of printmaking, and the cultural mentality at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and a distinctive window for general enthusiasts into the aesthetic world of the Chu Ci.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers interested in the intersection of classical Chinese literature and pictorial art
  • Chu Ci enthusiasts who wish to deepen their understanding of the imagery and symbolism of Li Sao through images
  • Scholars and students researching Ming–Qing printmaking, book illustration, or Xiao Yuncong's artistic style
  • Readers seeking collectible books of profound cultural depth and distinctive aesthetic value

Not a good fit for

  • Readers of popular books seeking light entertainment or fast-paced narrative
  • Beginners expecting a complete modern vernacular translation of Li Sao

Reading tips

  1. It is recommended to first read through or review the original text of Li Sao to establish a basic textual impression, then appreciate the illustrations alongside it and experience the interplay between image and text.
  2. Pay particular attention to the choice of imagery and compositional layout in the paintings, and consider how Xiao Yuncong used visual language to interpret Qu Yuan's sorrow and romanticism.
  3. Combining the introduction or afterword on the author's life and historical context will enable a deeper understanding of the remnant-subject emotions and personal寄托 possibly embedded in the paintings.

About the publisher

Shanghai Classics Publishing House China · Founded in 1956

Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 前言
  3. 离骚图
  4. 离骚图序
  5. 三闾大夫·卜居·渔夫
  6. 九歌
  7. 天问
  8. 钦定补绘萧云从离骚全图
  9. 四库全书总目提要
  10. 离骚
  11. 九歌
  12. 东皇太一
  13. 云中君
  14. 湘君
  15. 湘夫人
  16. 大司命
  17. 少司命
  18. 东君
  19. 河伯
  20. 山鬼
  21. 国殇
  22. 礼魂
  23. 天问
  24. 九章
  25. 惜诵
  26. 涉江
  27. 哀郢
  28. 抽思
  29. 怀沙
  30. 思美人
  31. 惜往日
  32. 橘颂
  33. 悲回风
  34. 远游
  35. 卜居·渔父
  36. 卜居
  37. 渔父
  38. 招魂
  39. 大招
  40. 九辩
  41. 香草

FAQ

Is this book the complete original text of Li Sao plus illustrations?
The core of this book is Xiao Yuncong's print collection on the theme of Li Sao, not primarily a full-text inclusion of Li Sao. The book presents Li Sao lines or sections corresponding to the paintings, but its main value lies in the artistic images themselves and their visual interpretation of the text.
Does it require high artistic or classical Chinese literacy to understand?
The book offers multiple levels of appreciation. Even without professional background, readers can directly experience its archaic, distinctive style and vast imagination. With some knowledge of Chu Ci or traditional Chinese painting, one can engage in deeper intertextual interpretation of image and text and gain a richer experience.
What are the characteristics of this edition in terms of textual scholarship and print quality?
Editions from Shanghai Classics Publishing House generally balance academic rigor and artistic quality. This edition is likely based on a good master copy for high-definition reproduction, striving to recreate the lines and charm of the original prints, and is accompanied by necessary publishing notes, ensuring its reliability as a research resource and art appreciation edition.

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About the author

萧云从 Author

Xiao Yuncong's biographical information is limited in publicly available sources; his dates of birth and death, nationality, and English name are not clearly recorded. According to the information available here, he is associated with the book An Illustrated Li Sao, which is classified under Eastern philosophy. Judging from the title, the work centers on Qu Yuan's Li Sao and presents the imagery, figures, and mythological elements of this famous Chu Ci poem through illustrations, making it a classical literary interpretation that combines text and images. Xiao Yuncong's style as a writer and illustrator should be understood through this work: it emphasizes conveying the symbolism and emotion of the text visually, making difficult verses perceptible and visible. Because surviving information is scarce, it is difficult to describe his life or scholarly lineage in detail; readers may instead focus on the subject matter and expressive methods of An Illustrated Li Sao, and through it appreciate how the ancient tradition of text-and-image works served the reading and transmission of classics.

门应兆 Author

Men Yingzhao: publicly available information about this author is limited, and neither nationality nor dates of birth and death are known. The library holds only one work under this name, the Complete Illustrations of the Li Sao. According to the existing catalog record, the book is classified under Eastern philosophy and centers on Qu Yuan's Li Sao, presenting the content and imagery of this famous Chu Ci poem through pictures. Illustrated and annotated editions of the Chu Ci are not uncommon in traditional scholarship, and Men Yingzhao's work belongs to this type of book, which uses visual means to aid understanding of the Li Sao; readers may use the illustrations to grasp the poem's mythological imagery, its metaphors of fragrant herbs and beautiful women, and its lyrical progression. Because so little verifiable biographical material exists, it is difficult to judge the author's scholarly background or the circumstances of composition, and excessive conjecture about style should be avoided. Overall, the value of the Complete Illustrations of the Li Sao lies in combining a literary classic with visual expression, offering an intuitive reference for studying the Li Sao and suiting readers interested in Chu Ci and Eastern philosophy.

董楚平 Author

Dong Chuping is a Chinese author about whom little public information is available; details such as his birthplace, dates of birth and death, and educational background remain unclear, and three of his works are held in the collection. Judging from these works, his writing centers on the Chu Ci tradition: he is the author of An Annotated Translation of the Chu Ci and The Complete Illustrated Li Sao, with a duplicate record of the same annotated translation. These works belong to the editing and annotation of classical literature, combining textual explication with literary appreciation, and are often classified under Eastern philosophy and literary appreciation. His annotations focus on explaining the words, phrases, and names of things in Qu Yuan's works, and present the literary character of Li Sao together with illustrations, making the pre-Qin Chu Ci more accessible to general readers. Overall, Dong Chuping is known for his annotated translations and illustrated editions of the Chu Ci, which offer some reference value for the popular reading of this tradition.

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