Introduction to Shi and Ci Poetry

Name: Introduction to Shi and Ci Poetry
ISBN: 9787101151091

徐晋如Zhonghua Book Company · ChinaJul 2021

4.0

Word count: 112K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787101151091

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Summary

This is an accessible introduction to the writing of classical Chinese poetry. The author, long renowned as a poet, knows well the joys and hardships of poetic composition, and so can explain what makes a good poem and how to write one with clarity, precision, and deep insight. The book covers both the appreciation of poetry and the fundamentals of poetic composition, as well as more advanced techniques. Thorough yet plainly written, it is suited to any reader with an interest in classical poetry.

Following his College-Level Course in Classical Poetry Writing, the author wrote this book specifically for beginners with no prior background. It explains in thorough, practical detail the key points of learning to write poetry—meter, rhyme, tonal patterns, parallelism, antithesis, couplet polishing, the arrangement of imagery, the interplay of the substantial and the insubstantial, and the use of a theme as a point of departure. It also answers questions common among poetry enthusiasts: Why learn to write classical poetry? Did the Tang poets exhaust all the good poems? Why can I never seem to write poetry well? With both theoretical discussion and practical guidance on writing, it is an ideal gateway for those new to classical poetry.

The language is accessible and informative, balancing creation and appreciation, and it will also greatly help enthusiasts improve their appreciation of poetry.

Editor's review

Poetry Primer is not a simple textbook on prosody but a path into the inner sanctum of classical poetry, laid out in good faith by a poet steeped in the art of classical verse for modern readers. The author, Xu Jinru, is both a scholar and a poet; his writing combines academic rigor with the warmth of lived creative experience. The book's greatest strength is that it goes beyond technical instruction in tonal patterns and parallelism, placing its emphasis on cultivating the "poetic heart" and understanding the "way of poetry." Mr. Xu holds that poetry is first the expression of temperament and the reflection of character, and only second the honing of craft. Thus the book is infused throughout with admiration for classical spiritual values and reflection on the present cultural condition. In reading it, readers not only gain a systematic grasp of the norms of poetic composition but also feel the call of a classical aesthetics of living and a literati sensibility. It guides readers from being "appreciators" to becoming "participants," drawing truly close to tradition through the act of writing. For readers eager to reach the core of classical Chinese literature and willing to continue its living tradition through creation, this is a rare guide, both deep and warm.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners with a strong interest in classical Chinese poetry who wish to learn the norms of composition systematically
Enthusiasts with some literary background who wish to deepen their understanding of poetic aesthetics and the literati spirit
University students in Chinese literature or related fields seeking a reliable companion to poetic composition
Readers who love traditional culture and seek a classical, poetic way of dwelling in modern life

Not a good fit for

Readers who merely want quick formulas for poetic meter and shortcut writing templates
Readers with no interest in classical literature or traditional culture who read only for utilitarian exam purposes

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters through first to grasp the author's core ideas of the "poetic heart" and the "way of poetry," then move on to the specific rules and techniques
Keep a notebook while reading to record the classic poetic examples cited in the book, and try imitating them and practicing parallelism
Read this book alongside a classic poetry anthology (such as Three Hundred Tang Poems), learning the rules and savoring fine poems at the same time

About the publisher

Zhonghua Book Company China · Founded in 1912

Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.

版权信息
序
为什么要学写诗词
好诗都被唐人做完了吗
写出好诗词并不需要特别的天赋
什么是诗词的格律
诗词怎样才能押上韵
《声律启蒙》与声律启蒙
从读写中学平仄
从近体开始学写诗
学诗先学属对
工对的技巧训练
属对的三个要诀
近体诗的粘对
从五律开始，从摹写开始
因联而成诗
炼句与诗的语言
从五律到七律
如何妥帖地排布意象
诗的篇法基础：虚实相生
诗词中的时间
诗词中的空间
七绝的章法
诗意的升华：借题发挥
古体诗的声律
五言古诗的仿作
七言古诗的笔法
词别是一家
奉谱填词
词的分片
词的分句
学词步骤
词的用笔
后记

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no background at all?

Very much so. The book begins with the most basic concepts and proceeds step by step, and the author is especially concerned to guide readers toward correct ideas about poetry rather than simply imposing complex rules. It is very friendly to beginners.

What is the main difference between this book and other books on poetic meter on the market?

The core difference lies in its purpose and emphasis. This book gives equal weight to cultivating character and temperament and to learning technique, stressing that "the real work lies beyond the poem," and aims to foster a genuine poetic sensibility rather than merely teach writing formats.

Can I write poetry independently after reading this book?

Yes. The book offers complete guidance on composition, from conception and choice of material to meter and structure. As long as you practice persistently as the book suggests and complete the process from imitation to innovation, you will be fully capable of writing works that are both properly formed and rich in feeling.

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About the author

徐晋如 Author

Xu Jinru is an author engaged in the study of classical Chinese poetry and in teaching its writing. Public information about him is limited, and details of his life are not recorded in the available sources. Judging from the five works at hand, his writing centers on three areas: poetry appreciation, introductory writing guides, and the Chinese literary tradition. He has worked on an annotated selection of Three Hundred Song Ci Poems, written practical guides for learners such as A College Course in Poetry Writing and An Introduction to Poetry, and traced the spiritual thread of Chinese literature in Fifteen Lectures on the Chinese Literary Tradition. Poetry Studies (Volume 4) shows his involvement in editing a scholarly series on poetry. His writing balances scholarship with readability, explaining metre, structure, and appreciation through specific works, and is suited to readers who wish to study classical poetry systematically.