An Introduction to Reading Ci Poetry

Name: An Introduction to Reading Ci Poetry
ISBN: 9787532555239

陈振寰Shanghai Classics Publishing House · ChinaFeb 2025

3.9

Word count: 57K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787532555239

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Summary

Starting from the most basic and essential aspects of ci, Reading Ci: A Primer proceeds from the simple to the profound in an engaging, accessible manner, and seeks to draw out general rules that let readers see the whole picture at a glance and extend their understanding from one point to another. To illustrate its points, nearly every chapter provides examples to resolve difficulties, and key sections include detailed tables that reduce complexity to simplicity. In short, its high concentration of knowledge and the fact that a single volume in hand lets readers readily overcome difficulties in reading classical poetry and prose are the main features of this book.

Editor's review

Reading Ci: A Primer is an introductory work on ci poetics written with care by Chen Zhenhuan for lovers of classical poetry. Chen, long engaged in the teaching and study of classical literature, draws on deep scholarship and a clear, fluent style to break down seemingly abstruse knowledge of ci into readily understandable chapters. This is no mere anthology of ci with appreciation; it systematically moves from the origins, formal systems, and metrical rules of ci to its structural organization and methods of appreciation, building step by step a solid bridge to the world of Song ci. Its greatest value lies in teaching the method rather than the catch—it is not content to have readers memorize a few famous pieces but aims to cultivate their ability to read, appreciate, and even compose ci independently. Its explanations of cipai, tonal patterns, and rhyme are especially refined: rigorous yet free of tedious textual scholarship, and enlivened by numerous classic examples that make the theory immediately vivid and tangible. For today's readers accustomed to free verse, this book helps explain why classical ci possesses such a distinctive musical and formal beauty, and how its strict metrical rules work together with rich emotional expression. It is like a finely made key that opens a door, beyond which lie Wen Tingyun's inner chambers, Liu Yong's bustling streets, Su Shi's open-heartedness, and Xin Qiji's heroic passion. In an age of fragmented reading, a work that guides you into systematic study and deep immersion is all the more precious.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Lovers of classical literature interested in Song ci but unsure where to begin a systematic study
Learners who wish to understand the basic metrical rules, formal systems, and compositional norms of ci
Readers with some grounding in classical poetry who want to extend their interest to the realm of ci
Students or teachers in university Chinese departments, for whom it can serve as a useful supplementary reader

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking quick access to a large number of ci appreciation essays or immediate reading pleasure
Professionals already engaged in advanced research on ci who need to discuss cutting-edge academic questions

Reading tips

Read in chapter order: first build an overall understanding of ci, then delve into specifics such as metrical rules
Keep a classic ci anthology (such as Three Hundred Song Ci Poems) at hand to practice against the examples in the book
For difficult points such as tonal patterns and rhyme, do not try to master them all at once; reread and absorb them gradually alongside specific ci works

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.

版权信息
前言
一、什么是词
二、词的起源和流变
三、词的格律
（一）词调和词牌
1. 词调是怎么来的？
2.词调是怎么定名的？
3.同调异名和异调同名等
4.词调和字数的关系
5.单调、双调和三叠、四叠
6.填词者是怎样选择词调的？
（二）词的用韵
1.词韵的分部情况
2.词的押韵方式
（三）句式和平仄
1.什么是平仄？
2. 词句的平仄格式
3. 词字跟四声的关系
（四）词的对仗
四、“词”的语法特点
（一）词的活用
（二）成分的省略
（三）词序的变化
（四）一字逗
五、词的用典
（一）用事、用句、用词
（二）明用、暗用、正用、反用
六、词的章法举隅——开头、过片、结尾
七、词集、词话、词谱
（一）词集
（二）词话
（三）词谱
结束语

FAQ

How does this book differ from the common dictionaries of Song ci appreciation?

This book focuses on systematically imparting foundational knowledge of ci—metrical rules, cipai, structural organization, and so on—aiming to cultivate the reader's ability to read ci; appreciation dictionaries focus more on detailed commentary on individual works. The two serve different functions; this book is more like a reference work and theoretical guide.

Can I understand it without any grounding in metrical rules?

Absolutely. The book is written precisely for readers with no background: the author starts from the most basic concepts, proceeds from the simple to the profound, and uses plain language with abundant examples. With patient reading, you will gradually master it.

Does this book help with learning to compose ci?

Yes, significantly. The book's detailed analysis of cipai metrical rules, sentence patterns, and rhyme provides the essential foundation for learning to write ci. Only by understanding these rules can one better put composition into practice.

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About the author

陈振寰 Author

Chen Zhenhuan is an author about whom little public information is available. He is known as the author of Reading Ci: An Introduction, the only work by him included in the collection. Judging from the title and its common classification, the book belongs to literary appreciation and is intended for readers who wish to learn about the origins, metrical rules, and appreciation of ci poetry; it has the character of an introductory guide. Writing of this kind usually requires the author both to set out the basics of ci and to explain, through concrete works, how to approach reading them, so the style tends to be plain, clear, and gradual, helping beginners form an overall understanding of ci. As his known representative work, Reading Ci reflects his orientation toward popularizing and appreciating classical poetry. Because details such as dates of birth and death, native place, profession, and academic background remain unconfirmed, no speculation is offered here; readers who wish to know more about him may consult the book's text and related publication notes.