Comprehensive Anthology of Ci Poetry
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Summary
Editor's review
The compilation is closely tied to Zhu Yizun's poetics. As a leading figure of the Zhexi School of ci, Zhu emphasized elegance and purity (yazheng and chunya); in selecting works he attended not only to artistic merit but also to historical value, so that Ci Zong is not merely a literary anthology but a scholarly work reflecting the evolution of ci history. Each poet is given a brief biography, helping readers understand the author's life and creative context—an editorial format that was quite innovative at the time.
In terms of content, Ci Zong spans the long course from Tang dynasty Dunhuang quzi ci to Yuan dynasty ci, including many works rarely found in other anthologies, and thus has high documentary value. For modern readers, the book offers not only a window onto classical ci but also insight into how ci evolved from popular quzi into a lyrical medium for literati, reaching its peak in the Song dynasty.
Reading Ci Zong requires some grounding in classical literature, but Zhu Yizun's discerning editorial eye and concise annotations allow even beginners to derive aesthetic pleasure. Note that the book reflects the editor's aesthetic preferences: the Zhexi School admired the clear and empty (qingkong) style of Jiang Kui and Zhang Yan, so their works and kindred pieces are more heavily represented, giving readers a glimpse of mainstream Qing dynasty ci scholarship.
Overall, Ci Zong is a classic anthology that has stood the test of time; its value lies not only in preserving a wealth of precious ci works but also in the poetic principles and historical threads it embodies. For readers seeking a systematic understanding of the development of Chinese ci studies, this book is an indispensable guide.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Literature lovers with a strong interest in classical Chinese poetry
- Researchers or students currently studying Tang and Song ci
- Cultural scholars seeking a systematic understanding of ci history
- Teachers engaged in classical literature instruction
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking light, entertaining reading
- Those entirely unfamiliar with classical Chinese and unwilling to learn
Reading tips
- Begin with the preface to understand Zhu Yizun's editorial principles and poetic views
- Read in chronological order to appreciate the stylistic evolution of ci
- Use the poet biographies to situate works within their authors' lives
About the publisher
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
- 版权信息
- 序
- 词综后序
- 补遗后序
- 《词综》（发凡）
- 《词综》（卷一）
- 《词综》（卷二）
- 《词综》（卷三）
- 《词综》（卷四）
- 《词综》（卷五）
- 《词综》（卷六）
- 《词综》（卷七）
- 《词综》（卷八）
- 《词综》（卷九）
- 《词综》（卷十）
- 《词综》（卷十一）
- 《词综》（卷十二）
- 《词综》（卷十三）
- 《词综》（卷十四）
- 《词综》（卷十五）
- 《词综》（卷十六）
- 《词综》（卷十七）
- 《词综》（卷十八）
- 《词综》（卷十九）
- 《词综》（卷二十）
- 《词综》（卷二十一）
- 《词综》（卷二十二）
- 《词综》（卷二十三）
- 《词综》（卷二十四）
- 《词综》（卷二十五）
- 《词综》（卷二十六）
- 《词综》（卷二十七）
- 《词综》（卷二十八）
- 《词综》（卷二十九）
- 《词综》（卷三十）
- 《词综》（卷三十一补人）
- 《词综》（卷三十二补）
- 《词综》（卷三十三补）
- 《词综》（卷三十四补）
- 《词综》（卷三十五补）
- 《词综》（卷三十六补）
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About the author
Zhu Yizun (1629–1709), courtesy name Xichang and art name Zhucha, was a native of Xiushui (present-day Jiaxing), Zhejiang. A literary figure, scholar and bibliophile of the early Qing dynasty, he passed the boxue hongci examination in 1678, the eighteenth year of the Kangxi reign, was appointed to the Hanlin Academy as a compiler, and took part in compiling the History of the Ming. His poetry was ranked alongside that of Wang Shizhen, while in ci he founded the Zhexi school and exerted a profound influence on early Qing ci poetry. He compiled Ci Zong to set out his views on the genre, and his Jingzhi Ju Qin Qu reflects his own ci style. His scholarly works include Ri Xia Jiu Wen and Kao of the Disciples of Confucius, and his Baishu Ting Ji also survives. Five of his works are held here, covering ci anthologies, food culture and Eastern philosophy.
