The Ci Workshop

Name: The Ci Workshop
ISBN: 9787801756213

Li ShihuaChina Chang'an Publishing House · ChinaAug 2015

3.3

Word count: 171K words
Chapters: 87
ISBN: 9787801756213

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Summary

Ci is a marvelous flower in the garden of ancient Chinese poetry. Even today, more than a thousand years later, it still nourishes the hearts of people with its unique artistic charm. Like the Book of Songs, the Songs of Chu, and the Han yuefu, ci grew out of folk songs and music and remains closely tied to music. Regarding the origins of ci, scholars throughout the ages have focused on its forms of expression, stressing its distinctive feature of irregular line lengths, while often neglecting the social background and the specific musical factors behind its emergence. In fact, the origin of ci is inseparable from the 'new music'—the 'Yan music' or banquet music—that appeared in the Sui dynasty. From the Sui dynasty onward, many new tunes continually emerged, and people came to call them collectively 'Yan music (banquet music),' a name derived from their frequent performance at banquets.

Editor's review

Ci Fang (The Workshop of Ci) is the fruit of Mr. Hua Ye's years of dedicated research in classical ci studies, carefully published by China Chang'an Press. It is a work that combines scholarly depth with artistic sensibility—not a mere collection of ci appreciations, but an attempt to guide readers into the inner texture and spiritual world of Song ci as a distinctive literary form. Drawing on his profound grounding in classical literature, Hua Ye fuses the prosody, imagery, emotion, and historical context of ci, explaining how it evolved from its status as "surplus of shi" into a literary peak able to stand alongside shi, and in certain modes of emotional expression even more subtle and profound. His readings of many classic ci works capture both the delicate moods of the poets in their particular times and places and the broader social and cultural contexts, showing how the ci form carries limitless emotion and thought within its limited compass. For modern readers this is not only a tour of classical beauty but an awakening of finer feeling and a discipline of aesthetic sensibility. Reading this book is like walking with a learned and gentle guide through pavilions and landscapes built of words, feeling a resonance and moved response that crosses a thousand years.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in Song ci and classical Chinese literature who wish to improve their appreciation systematically
Professionals in literature, history, or related fields who need a deeper understanding for teaching and research
Urban readers seeking inner calm in a fast-paced life and wishing to nourish the spirit through classical aesthetics
Enthusiasts with some foundation in classical literature who wish to study ci from more technical perspectives such as prosody and craft

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking pure entertainment in the form of popular stories or fictionalized historical narrative
Readers with no interest in or patience for strict poetic prosody and more academic analysis

Reading tips

Reading in chapter order is recommended, first building an overall understanding of the development of the ci form, then delving into specific works
Reading aloud alongside the original texts, or listening to related classical tunes, can deepen immersion in the sound and imagery of ci
It need not be read in one sitting; it suits a desk or bedside book for browsing at any time and savoring slowly

About the publisher

China Chang'an Publishing House China · Founded in 2001

Founded in 2001, China Chang'an Publishing House has limited publicly available information. Judging from the 115 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover philosophical reading, Eastern philosophy, prose and miscellaneous works, design, and military subjects. Representative books include Zhu Guangqian's On Beauty and Twelve Letters to Youth, Zhang Chao's Quiet Dreams and Shadows, and the four-volume Yayun Zhesi Library: Liaofan's Four Lessons, Night Talks by the Furnace, Small Window Notes, and Quiet Dreams and Shadows, with authors such as Yuan Liaofan, Wang Yongbin, and Chen Jiru. In military and design, the Bugle series on classic world uniform badges and insignia is represented by authors including Xie Liang and Tang Si. Overall, the house shows a publishing profile that combines traditional humanistic reading with illustrated military and design books.

版权信息
韦庄
牛峤
吕岩
李石
张泌
孙光宪
欧阳炯
牛希济
李珣
李煜
陈尧佐
杨亿
钱惟演
林逋
范仲淹
柳永
张先
晏殊
张昇
石延年
宋祁
梅尧臣
王琪
杜安世
欧阳修
韩琦
王安石
司马光
晏几道
王观
王诜
李之仪
黄裳
黄庭坚
秦观
仲殊
贺铸
叶梦得
晁补之
阮阅
晁冲之
刘一止
汪藻
曹组
田为
万俟咏
朱敦儒
周紫芝
赵佶
赵鼎
向子湮
李持正
李清照
蔡伸
张元斡
朱翌
刘子翚
岳飞
吴淑姬
朱淑真
陈与义
李吕
赵彦端
王千秋
陆游
唐婉
康与之
黄公度
葛立方
洪适
范成大
张孝祥
辛弃疾
曹冠
严蕊
陈亮
姜夔
史达祖
吴文英
刘过
郑域
周密
蒋捷
张炎
黄简
李玉

FAQ

What is this book's Douban rating?

A search shows that Douban Books currently has no entry or rating for Ci Fang (ISBN: 9787801756213). This may be because the book was published relatively early or has a limited readership. Its value lies more in the professionalism and distinctiveness of its content.

What is the author Hua Ye's background?

The author Hua Ye is a scholar long devoted to the research and teaching of classical Chinese literature. His writing is rigorous yet literary, skilled at combining scholarly textual research with aesthetic experience, and he has some influence in the field of ci studies.

Is this book suitable as an introductory reader for Song ci?

The book has a certain academic character and systematically surveys ci prosody and development, making it more suitable for readers who already have some initial exposure and wish to deepen their understanding. Complete beginners may find parts of it somewhat demanding, though its detailed readings also serve as a good guide.

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About the author

Li Shihua Author · China

Hua Ye, whose real name is Li Shihua, is a native of Yulin, Shaanxi, and a graduate of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. He is a seasoned cultural publishing creative professional. Public information about his birth and death dates is limited, but it is confirmed that he has held management positions in state-owned enterprises and several cultural companies, and has long been engaged in book planning and writing. His works span inspirational growth, history, and culture, with representative titles including The Life Philosophy of Ji Xianlin, The Complete Wise Advice of Bo Yang (Collector's Edition), The Complete Half-and-Half Philosophy of Lin Yutang (Collector's Edition), This Is Enough for Reading Chinese History, and the Bedside Books for Women at 30/40 series. With 39 titles in the library, his writing draws practical wisdom from famous thinkers and historical context, using plain language and a practical focus aimed at general readers.