Liuyi's Remarks on Poetry

Ouyang XiuBashu Publishing House · ChinaJul 2024

4.2

Word count: 5.1K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Written by Ouyang Xiu of the Song Dynasty, Remarks on Poetry from the Six-One Retreat is China's earliest shihua and inaugurated a new genre of later works on poetic theory. Its fundamental starting point is a comprehensive reflection on language and meaning.

Editor's review

Remarks on Poetry from the Six-One Retreat, by Ouyang Xiu, is regarded as China's earliest work to be titled a "shihua" and as the origin of a new genre of later writings on poetic theory. Its fundamental starting point is a comprehensive reflection on language and meaning; thus, though the book chiefly records anecdotes of the poetry world and appraisals of fine lines, it is consistently informed by an examination of poetry's capacity for linguistic expression. This new edition from Bashu Press gives readers direct access to this source text of the shihua. Its strength lies in presenting critical ideas through short, essayistic chapters—an easy read that nonetheless retains its intellectual rigor, offering both a view of how Song writers discussed poetry and a sense of Ouyang Xiu's sustained concern with the relation between "words" and "meaning." It is suitable for use alongside the reading of Song poetry or the study of classical literary criticism, and equally suitable as an introduction to the shihua genre. It is best read slowly rather than quickly, with notes jotted as one goes, to appreciate the measure of these short chapters.

Who it's for

A good fit for

University students and teachers studying the history of classical Chinese literary criticism
Classical literature enthusiasts interested in Song poetry and the anecdotes of Song literati
Readers who wish to understand the origins of the "shihua" genre
Readers with some grounding in classical Chinese who enjoy essayistic short-form appraisals

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners with no classical Chinese reading ability who need vernacular translations
Readers expecting a systematic body of poetic theory rather than essayistic notes
Readers who want only plot-driven stories and have no interest in poetry appraisal

Reading tips

Read three to five entries at a time, then recall the lines discussed and appreciate the measure of the commentary.
Keep an anthology of Song poetry at hand for comparison, turning to the original poems whenever quoted lines appear.
Pay attention to the book's discussion of the relation between language and meaning, make brief notes, and trace the thread of thought through the whole book.

About the publisher

Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.

版权信息
六一诗话

FAQ

Why is Remarks on Poetry from the Six-One Retreat considered important?

According to the book's materials, it is China's earliest shihua and inaugurated a new genre of later writings on poetic theory. The form of discussing poetry in short essayistic chapters was established here and deeply influenced later shihua writing; whether for studying the history of criticism or understanding the shihua genre, it is an indispensable source text.

What does "Six-One" refer to?

"Six-One" is a sobriquet of Ouyang Xiu, derived from his late-life self-designation "the Six-One Recluse." Titling the book "Remarks on Poetry from the Six-One Retreat" identifies the author. As to what exactly the "six ones" denote, that falls within the realm of public common knowledge; readers may consult biographies of Ouyang Xiu, as the book's materials do not elaborate.

What is the book's basic approach?

The materials indicate that the book's fundamental starting point is a comprehensive reflection on language and meaning. That is, in appraising lines and recording anecdotes of the poetry world, a sustained concern runs throughout with whether poetic language can adequately convey meaning; readers may use this thread to understand the inner connections among the short chapters.

What preparation is needed before reading?

It is advisable first to have basic classical Chinese reading ability and a rough familiarity with Ouyang Xiu's life and the general state of Song poetry and prose. If an anthology of Song poetry is at hand, one can consult the original poems when quoted lines appear, to understand what the commentary refers to—this will markedly improve the reading experience.

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About the author

Ouyang Xiu Author · Chinese · 1007–1072

Ouyang Xiu (1007–1072), courtesy name Yongshu, styled Zuiweng and later Liuyi Jushi, was a native of Yongfeng in Jizhou (present-day Ji'an, Jiangxi). A statesman, man of letters and historian of the Northern Song dynasty, he was one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song and a leader of the Northern Song movement to reform poetry and prose. He held that writing should illuminate the Way and serve practical ends, and his plain, natural style deeply influenced later prose. In historiography he was chief editor of the New Book of Tang and sole author of the New History of the Five Dynasties. He rose to Vice Privy Councillor and Assistant Administrator and received the posthumous title Wenzhong. The collection holds 30 of his works, including complete collections, poetry and prose anthologies, the notebook Guitian Lu and historical writings.