Three Hundred Tang Poems

The Three Hundred Tang Poems is an anthology of poems from the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–907). It was first compiled around 1763 by Sun Zhu (1722–1778[1]), who was a Qing Dynasty scholar and was also known as Hengtang Tuishi (蘅塘退士, "Retired Master of Hengtang"). Various later editions also exist. All editions contain slightly more than 300 total poems.[2] The number 300 (or more exactly 305) was a classic number for a poetry collection due to the influence of the Classic of Poetry (詩經, Shijing), which was generally known as The Three Hundred Poems.[1]

Three Hundred Tang Poems
Traditional Chinese唐詩三百首
Simplified Chinese唐诗三百首

Dissatisfied with the anthology Poems by a Thousand Masters (千家詩, Qianjiashi) compiled by Liu Kezhuang in the late Southern Song, and influenced by Ming Dynasty poetry anthologies, Sun selected the poems based on their popularity and educational value. The collection has been popular ever since and can be found in many Chinese households. For centuries, elementary students memorized the poems and used them to learn to read and write. It contains poems by Du Fu, Li Bai, Wang Wei, Chen Zi'ang, Meng Haoran, Han Yu, Du Mu, Bai Juyi, Liu Changqing, Cen Shen, Wang Changling, Wei Yingwu, and more.[3][4]

Organization of poems edit

The original Qing Dynasty version of the 300 Tang Poems was organized by the poem's formal type, of which there were seven:

  • Folk song styled verse (yuefu)
  • Ancient verse (gushi):
    • Five-character ancient verse
    • Seven-character ancient verse
  • Modern style verse (jintishi):
    • Eight-line regulated verse (lüshi):
      • Five-character regular verse
      • Seven-character regular verse
    • Quatrain (jueju):
      • Five-character quatrain
      • Seven-character quatrain

Out of 317 poems in one edition, 90 were in the gushi form and 227 were in the lüshi or the jueju forms.[5]

Poets edit

The poets of the Tang shi include a number of authors ranging from the well-known and famous to obscure or anonymous poets, and even include at least one emperor. The poet with the most pieces included in this collection is Du Fu, with thirty-nine. Li Bai is a close runner-up, with thirty-four. Wang Wei has twenty-nine poems included in the anthology and Li Shangyin has twenty-four. Meng Haoran has fifteen, Wei Yingwu twelve, Liu Changqing eleven, and Du Mu ten. After that, each of the other poets' included pieces number in the single digits; however, some of these poets are quite important, such as Liu Zongyuan or Bai Juyi. Some important poets,[citation needed] such as Li He, are not represented at all.

Name Traditional Simplified Pinyin Wade-Giles[note 1] Dates[note 2] Number of included pieces[note 3]
Bai Juyi 白居易 白居易 Bái Jūyì Po Chü-i 772–846 6
Cao Song 曹松 曹松 Cáo Sōng Ts'ao Song 830-903 1
Cen Shen 岑參 岑参 Cén Shēn Ts'en Shen 715–770 7
Chang Jian 常建 常建 Cháng Jiàn Ch'ang Chien 708–765? 2
Chen Tao 陳陶 陈陶 Chén Táo Ch'en T'ao 824–882 1
Chen Zi'ang 陳子昂 陈子昂 Chén Zǐáng Ch'en Tzǔ-ang 661?–702 1
Cui Daorong 崔道融 崔道融 Cuī Dào Róng Ts'ui Tao-jong 880-907 3
Cui Hao 崔顥 崔颢 Cuī Hào Ts'ui Hao 704?–754 4
Cui Hu 崔護 崔护 Cuī Hù Ts'ui Hu 772-846 1
Cui Shu 崔曙 崔曙 Cuī Shǔ Ts'ui Shu 704–739 1
Cui Tu 崔塗 崔涂 Cuī Tú Ts'ui T'u 854–? 2
Dai Shulun 戴叔倫 戴叔伦 Dài Shūlún Tai Shu-lun 732–789 1
Du Fu 杜甫 杜甫 Dù Fǔ Tu Fu 712–770 39
Du Mu 杜牧 杜牧 Dù Mù Tu Mu 803–852 10
Du Qiuniang (Lady Du Qiu) 杜秋娘 杜秋娘 Dù Qiūniáng Tu Ch'iu-niang ?–825? 1
Du Shenyan 杜審言 杜审言 Dù Shěnyán Tu Shen-yen 646–708? 1
Du Xunhe 杜荀鶴 杜荀鹤 Dù Xúnhè Tu Hsün-hê 846–904 1
Gao Pian 高駢 高骈 Gāo Pián Kao Pian 821-887 1
Gao Shi 高適 高适 Gāo Shì Kao Shi 716?–765 2
Gu Kuang 顧況 顾况 Gù Kuàng Ku K'uang 725—814 1
Han Hong 韓翃 韩翃 Hán Hóng Han Hung 754?-784? 3
Han Wo 韓偓 韩偓 Hán Wò Han Wo 844–923 1
Han Yu 韓愈 韩愈 Hán Yù Han Yü 768–824 4
He Zhizhang 賀知章 贺知章 Hè Zhīzhāng He Chih-chang 659?–744 1
Hu Lingneng 胡令能 胡令能 Hú Lìngnéng Hu Ling-Neng 785-826 1
Huangfu Ran 皇甫冉 皇甫冉 Huángfǔ Rǎn Huang-fu Jan 716–769 1
Jia Dao 賈島 贾岛 Jiǎ Dǎo Chia Tao 779–843 1
Jiaoran 皎然 皎然 Jiǎorán Chiao-jan 730–799 1
Jin Changxu 金昌緒 金昌绪 Jīn Chāngxù Chin Ch'ang-hsü ? 1
Li Bai (Li Po) 李白 李白 Lǐ Bái (Lǐ Bó) Li Pai (Li Po) 701–762 34
Li Duan 李端 李端 Lǐ Duān Li Tuan 743–782 1
Li He 李賀 李贺 Lǐ Hè Li He 790-816 2
Li Pin 李頻 李频 Lǐ Pín Li P'in 818–876 1
Li Qi 李頎 李颀 Lǐ Qí Li Ch'i 690–751 7
Li Qiao 李峤 李嶠 Lǐ Qiào Li Ch'iao 645-714 2
Li Shangyin 李商隱 李商隐 Lǐ Shāngyǐn Li Shang-yin 813?–858? 24
Li Shen 李紳 李绅 Lǐ Shēn Li Shen 772-846 1
Li Yi 李益 李益 Lǐ Yì Li I 748?–827? 3
Liu Changqing 劉長卿 刘长卿 Liú Chángqīng Liu Chang-ch'ing 710?–789? 11
Liu Fangping 劉方平 刘方平 Liú Fāngping Liu Fang-p'ing mid 8th century 2
Liu Shenxu 劉眘虛 刘眘虚 Liú Shènxū Liu Shen-hsü early 8th century 1
Liu Yuxi 劉禹錫 刘禹锡 Liú Yǔxī Liu Yü-hsi 772–842 4
Liu Zhongyong 柳中庸 柳中庸 Liǔ Zhōngyōng Liu Chung-yung ?–775? 1
Liu Zongyuan 柳宗元 柳宗元 Liǔ Zōngyuán Liu Tsung-yüan 773–819 5
Lu Lun 盧綸 卢纶 Lú Lún Lu Lun 739–799 6
Lu Guimeng 陸龜蒙 陆龟蒙 Lù Guīméng Lu Kui-meng ?-881 1
Luo Binwang 駱賓王 骆宾王 Luò Bīnwáng Lo Pin-wang 640?–684? 1
Luo Yin 羅隱 罗隐 Luó Yǐn Lo Yin 833-910 2
Ma Dai 馬戴 马戴 Mǎ Dài Ma Tai 799–869 2
Meng Haoran 孟浩然 孟浩然 Mèng Hàorán Meng Hao-jan 689?–740 15
Meng Jiao 孟郊 孟郊 Mèng Jiāo Meng Chiao 751–814 2
Nie Yizhong 聶夷中 聂夷中 Niè Yízhōng Nie YiChong 837-884 1
Pei Di 裴迪 裴迪 Péi Dí Pei Ti 716?–? 1
Qian Qi 錢起 钱起 Qián Qǐ Ch'ien Ch'i 722?–780? 3
Qin Taoyu 秦韜玉 秦韬玉 Qín Tāoyù Ch'in T'ao-yü late 9th century 1
Qiu Wei 邱為 邱为 Qiū Wéi Ch'iu Wei 694–789? 1
Qiwu Qian 綦毋潛 綦毋潜 Qíwú Qián Ch'i-wu Ch'ien 692?–755? 1
Quan Deyu 權德輿 权德舆 Quán Déyú Ch'uan Tê-yu 759–818 1
Rong Yu 戎昱 戎昱 Róng Yù Jong Yu 740-800 2
Shen Quanqi 沈佺期 沈佺期 Shěn Quánqī Shên Ch'üan-ch'i 650?–713? 2
Shi Jianwu 施肩吾 施肩吾 Shī Jiānwú Shi Chuan'wu 780-861 1
Sikong Shu 司空曙 司空曙 Sī Kōngshǔ Ssû-k'ung Shu 720?–790? 3
Song Zhiwen 宋之問 宋之问 Sòng Zhīwèn Sung Chih-wên 656?–712? 1
Tang Xuanzong 唐玄宗 唐玄宗 Táng Xuánzōng T'ang Hsüan-tsung 685–762 1
Wang Bo 王勃 王勃 Wáng Bó Wang Po 649?–676 1
Wang Changling 王昌齡 王昌龄 Wáng Chānglíng Wang Ch'ang-ling 698–756 8
Wang Han 王翰 王翰 Wáng Hàn Wang Han 687-726 1
Wang Jia 王駕 王驾 Wáng Jià Wang Chia 851-? 2
Wang Jian 王建 王建 Wáng Jiàn Wang Chien ?–830? 1
Wang Wan 王灣 王灣 Wáng Wān Wang Wan 693–751 1
Wang Wei 王維 王维 Wáng Wéi Wang Wei 699–759 29
Wang Ya 王涯 王涯 Wáng Yá Wang Ya ?-835 1
Wang Zhihuan 王之渙 王之涣 Wáng Zhīhuàn Wang Tsu-huan 688–742 2
Wei Yingwu 韋應物 韦应物 Wéi Yìngwù Wei Ying-wu 737–792 12
Wei Zhuang 韋莊 韦庄 Wéi Zhuāng Wei Chuang 836–910 2
Wen Tingyun 溫庭筠 温庭筠 Wēn Tíngyún Wen T'ing-yun 812–870 4
Wu Mingshi (Anonymous) 無名氏 无名氏 Wúmíngshì Wu-ming-shih ? 1
Xi Biren (Anonymous)[note 4] 西鄙人 西鄙人 Xī Bǐrén Hsi-pi Jen ? 1
Xu Hun 許渾 许浑 Xǔ Hún Hsü Hun 791–858 2
Xue Feng 薛逢 薛逢 Xuē Féng Hsueh Feng mid 9th century 1
Yu Hu 於鵠 于鹄 Yú Hú Yü Hu ?-814? 3
Yu Shinan 虞世南 虞世南 Yù Shìnán Yü Shi-Nan 558-638 2
Yuan Jie 元結 元结 Yuán Jiē Yüan Chieh 723–772 2
Yuan Zhen 元稹 元稹 Yuán Zhěn Yüan Chen 779–831 4
Zhang Hu 張祜 张祜 Zhāng Hù Chang Hu 785[6][better source needed]–849?[citation needed] 5
Zhang Ji from Hubei 張繼 张继 Zhāng Jì Chang Chi 715?–779? 1
Zhang Ji from Jiangnan 張籍 张籍 Zhāng Jí Chang Chi 766–830? 1
Zhang Jiuling 張九齡 张九龄 Zhāng Jiǔlíng Chang Chiu-ling 678?–740 5
Zhang Bi 張泌 张泌 Zhāng Bì Chang Mi late 9th century 1
Zhang Qiao 張喬 张喬 Zhāng Qiáo Chang Ch'iao ? 1
Zhang Xu 張旭 张旭 Zhāng Xù Chang Hsü 658?–747? 1
Zhang Yue 張說 张说 Zhāng Yuè Chang Yüe 667-731 1
Zhang Zhihe 張志和 张志和 Zhāng Zhìhé Chang Chi'he 732-774 1
Zhang Zhongsu 張仲素 张仲素 Zhāng Zhōngsù Chang Chong'su 769-819 2
Zheng Gu 鄭谷 郑谷 Zhèng Gǔ Cheng Hu 849-911 1
Zheng Tian 鄭畋 郑畋 Zhèng Tián Cheng T'ien 824?–882? 1
Zhu Qingyu 朱慶餘 朱庆余 Zhū Qìngyú Chu Ch'ing-yü early 9th century 2
Zu Yong 祖詠 祖咏 Zǔ Yǒng Tsu Yung 699–746? 2
  1. ^ Lacking tone marks, and may be modified Wade-Giles.
  2. ^ Birth, death, flourishing, or other as available. All dates Common Era.
  3. ^ From standard edition(s).
  4. ^ Xi Biren is an alias meaning "humble person from the west border". The author is unknown (cf. "China Tang poetry Tang Poems, Kanshi, 唐詩英訳 漢詩 英译唐诗 英译唐诗雙語 唐诗英译 唐诗英译雙語, 英譯唐詩 唐詩英譯雙語 唐詩英訳 Tang Poems, English translation, bilingual 如何在美国亞瑪遜/美亞 買书? 唐诗三百首中的精华者 - 25首, 中英双语对照, 附历史背景, 诗歌轶事, 诗人小传. How to purchase books at US amazon.com? Tang Poems, the most popular Chinese poems in Tang dynasty. China poems - Tang poems China history - Tang dynasty history - embedded in Tang poems. 唐時代に最も人気のある中国の詩である唐詩は、 Tang-Gedichte, die beliebtesten chinesischen Gedichte in der Tang-Dynastie. Les poèmes Tang, les plus populaires des poèmes chinois de la dynastie Tang. Poesie Tang, le poesie cinesi più popolari nella dinastia Tang. 당나라시에서 가장 인기있는 중국 시인시. Tang thơ, những bài thơ nổi tiếng nhất của Trung Quốc trong triều đại nhà Đường". Message #1 (in Latin). 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2023-06-27."The Beauty of Tang Poems and Zhuan Zi Calligraphy", "Xi Bi'ren", by Marie L. Sun and Alex K. Sun)

Translations edit

The first complete translation of the Three Hundred Tang Poems into English was published as The Jade Mountain, translated by Witter Bynner and Jiang Kanghu. From 1929 through 1972 it went through ten editions.[3] A new translation of the anthology by Peter Harris was published in 2009.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Yu, 64–65
  2. ^ Rexroth, xvi
  3. ^ a b Weichang Chan, ed. (1997). "Home of 300 Tang Poems". Chinese Text Initiative (in Chinese and English). Translated by Witter Bynner. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  4. ^ "Tang Shi – 300 Tang poems". Wengu – Chinese Classics and Translations (in Chinese, English, and French). AFPC. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  5. ^ Watson 127
  6. ^ "Three Hundred Tang Poems". Archived from the original on 2016-11-06.
  7. ^ Harris, Peter (2009). Three Hundred Tang Poems. ISBN 978-0307269737.

Sources edit

External links edit