Complete Ci Poems of Huang Shang

全宋词Aug 2024

3.6

Word count: 6.1K words
Chapters: 29

Summary

This collection forms part of the Complete Song Ci. The ci lyric began in the Southern Liang, took shape in the Tang, and reached its height in the Song. Tang poetry and Song ci have long been acclaimed as a twin summit, each representing the literature of a great historical era. According to statistics, more than 1,300 writers of ci in the Northern and Southern Song have works extant, and their total output approaches 20,000 pieces! These figures alone convey the vitality of composition in that age. Song ci falls mainly into two styles, the "graceful and restrained" and the "bold and unconstrained," each superb in its own way and each at its height, rich and varied.

Editor's review

This book is a thematic compilation of Huang Shang's ci from the Complete Song Ci, gathering the works of a single author scattered through the general anthology and sparing readers the labor of searching through nearly 20,000 Song ci. Huang Shang's ci cover a relatively broad range of subjects: alongside literary exchanges and occasional pieces on seasons and scenery, they reflect his personal journeys and social circle, making them a concrete sample for observing the poetic milieu of the mid- and late Northern Song. The advantage of a thematic compilation lies in its clear thread: readers can follow one poet's choice of tunes, diction, and preferred subjects straight through, forming an overall impression of his style, and then locate it within the larger landscape of Song ci, where the graceful and the bold stand side by side. This is an extracted volume of anthology character; for biographical study, chronological dating, or annotations to individual pieces, readers should still consult dedicated annotated editions.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying the Complete Song Ci who wish to proceed author by author
Readers interested in the mid- and late Northern Song ci scene and literary circles
Ci enthusiasts who want to broaden their reading beyond the famous masters
Teachers of classical literature seeking thematic anthologies for classroom use

Not a good fit for

Beginners in classical Chinese who need detailed annotations and translations
Researchers expecting full biographical study and chronological dating of works

Reading tips

Read through the whole collection first, noting recurring tune titles and subjects to identify the author's preferences
Select the exchange, seasonal, and scenic pieces for close reading and compare how they are handled
Read alongside famous contemporary poets to sense his place in the genealogy of Song ci
Look up unfamiliar allusions as you go and make small cards for easy review

版权信息
桂枝香
新荷叶
渔家傲（咏月）
永遇乐
蓦山溪
喜朝天
锦堂春
霜叶飞
水龙吟
蝶恋花
喜迁莺
宴琼林
宴春台
雨霖铃
桂枝香
喜迁莺
洞仙歌
八声甘州
满庭芳
宴琼林
满江红
减字木兰花
瑶池月
蝶恋花（月词）
蝶恋花（劝酒致语）
青门引
满路花
卖花声

FAQ

Is this book a complete collection of Huang Shang's ci or a selection?

This book is a thematic compilation of Huang Shang's ci from the Complete Song Ci, with scope based on the general anthology; it is in nature close to a complete collected edition rather than a popular selection. To confirm whether a specific piece is included, check against the original Complete Song Ci.

What background knowledge is needed to read this book?

Basic reading ability in classical Chinese is enough to begin; familiarity with common ci tunes and a general sense of the mid- and late Northern Song literary scene will make the reading smoother. The book generally does not include detailed annotations, so allusions and unfamiliar expressions must be looked up independently or with reference works.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to Song ci?

Not very suitable for absolute beginners. As a thematic compilation without annotations or an introduction, it can stump newcomers. Readers are advised to start with annotated anthologies of Song ci to build a foundation, then use this book for extended reading and author-by-author study.

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About the author

全宋词 Author

Quan Song Ci (Complete Song Ci) is not a single ci poet but the compiler name used for the dynastic anthology of Song ci; this site lists 114 works under that author entry. Public information is limited, so no personal biography can be confirmed. The titles indicate edited collections of individual Song poets, including complete ci by major figures such as Xin Qiji and Li Qingzhao, as well as works by Chao Buzhi, Zhang Lei, Chen Shidao, Liu Kezhuang, Jiang Kui, and Liu Chenweng from various periods of the Song. These editions generally aim to preserve, collate, recover, and annotate the surviving ci, keeping the original character of the texts while making each poet's works accessible for reading and for research on themes, tonal patterns, and stylistic change. The series reflects the philological approach of dynastic compilations and serves as a bridge between popular access to classical texts and scholarly study of ci, and is commonly classified under ancient poetry.