Literature

Wen Xuan or Selections of Refined Literature, Volume III: Rhapsodies on Natural Phenomena, Birds and Animals, Aspirations and Feelings, Sorrowful Laments, Literature, Music, and Passions

    Translated by
  • David R. Knechtges

Paperback

Price:
$81.00/拢68.00
ISBN:
Published:
Jul 14, 2014
1996
Pages:
462
Size:
6 x 9 in.

The Wen xuan, compiled by Xiao Tong (501-531) is the oldest surviving anthology of Chinese literature arranged by genre. It contains a total of 761 pieces of prose and verse by 130 writers from the late Zhou dynasty to the Liang dynasty (ca. 4th century B.C. to 6th century A.D.) The selection includes most of the best examples of fu (rhapsodies) and shi (lyric poems) from the Han, Wei, Jin, and North-South Dynasties periods, as well as representative examples of other early genres such as letters, memorials, prefaces, imperial edicts, inscriptions, epitaphs, laments, elegies, and eulogies.

This anthology was one of the primary sources of literary knowledge for educated Chinese in the premodern period, and it is still an essential work for specialists in classical Chinese literature. This volume completes the translation of the rhapsodies (chapters 13 through 19) and includes many important masterpieces of early Chinese literature such as the 鈥淩hapsody on Literature鈥 by Lu Ji, 鈥淩hapsody on Contemplating the Mystery鈥 by Zhang Heng, 鈥淩hapsody on Dance鈥 by Fu Yi, and 鈥淩hapsody on the Zither鈥 by Xi Kang.

Originally published in 1996.

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