Six dynasties poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the Six dynasties era of China (220CE -589CE). This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a unique period in Classical Chinese poetry' which, over this time period, developed a poetry with special emphasis on romantic love, gender roles, and human relationships. The Six Dynasties era covers three main periods: the Three Kingdoms (220–280), Jin Dynasty (265–420), and Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589).
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The Six dynasties poetic period formed an important link between the folk-ballad (yue fu) style prominent in the poetry of the Han Dynasty and the revival and experimentation with the older forms during the Tang dynasty.
The development of Chinese poetry does not correspond precisely with the conventional dating by dynastic succession, despite the fact that there are correspondences between the two, the period of actual transition between dynasties is especially problematic. This is indeed the case in discussing the important poets in the late Han and early Six Dynasties period, including the famous general Cao Cao (155-220), who may be reckoned in this period, although actually beginning his career in the Later/Eastern Han era. That is, the final years at the End of the Han Dynasty and during which the Cao family was rising, or risen, to prominence were known as the Jian'an era (196-220): the following period is known as the Three Kingdoms era, due to the three kingdoms which succeeded the Han Dynasty, and proceeded to vie with one another for succession to the Han empire. Twenty-four of Cao Cao's poems survive.[1] Cao Cao and his son and successor to power, Cao Pi, were both noted as patrons of literature.[2] Altogether the Cao family, especially Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhi, in association with other poets helped to form the Jian'an style.[3] Cao Zhi is also noted for his association with the dramatically composed and life saving poem known as "The Quatrain of Seven Steps". Cao Pi wrote an essay Seven Scholars of Jian'an which was influential in the development of the Jian'an school of poetry. One of the poet's patronized by Cao Cao and considered to be one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an" was Xu Gan (170 - 217).[4] Another poet in this group was Wang Can (177–217).
As is traditionally depicted, the group wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of court life during the politically fraught Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The other members, Liu Ling, Ruan Ji, Ruan Xian, Xiang Xiu, Wang Rong and Shan Tao gathered in a bamboo grove near the house of Xi Kang (aka Ji Kang) in Shanyang (now in Henan province) where they enjoyed, and praised in their works, the simple, rustic life. This was contrasted with the politics of court. The Seven Sages stressed the enjoyment of ale, personal freedom, spontaneity and a celebration of nature.
The Orchid Pavilion Gathering of 42 literati included Xie An and Sun Chuo (孙绰) at the Orchid Pavilion near Shaoxing, Zhejiang, during the Spring Purification Festival to compose poems and enjoy the wine. The gentlemen had engaged in a drinking contest: wine cups were floated down a small winding creek as the men sat along its banks; whenever a cup stopped, the man closest to the cup was required to empty it and write a poem. In the end, twenty-six of the participants composed thirty-seven poems. The Preface to the poems is also famous.
Also significant, is the Midnight Songs poetry also known as Ziye, or "Lady Midnight" style, supposedly originating with an eponymously-named fourth century professional singer of the Eastern Jin dynasty.[5]
Tao Yuanming,[6] also known as Tao Qian,[7] lived from 365–427. He was associated with the Field and Garden genre, and has been especially noted for portraying immediate experience in an own natural voice style.[8]
Counted as a Jin Dynasty poet and official, Zhang Hua[9] (232-300), was actually born before the creation of the Jin Dynasty, however he flourished poetically during it, and died during it (as a result of the War of the Eight Princes).
The Sixteen Kingdoms were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas (304-439), chronologically overlapping the end of the Jin Dynasty and the actual establishment of the full Southern and Northern Dynasties period. One noted poet of this time, somewhere in the Fourth Century, was Su Hui. Typically, for female poets of this time and place in history, almost all of her literary works are lost.[10] Her sole surviving piece is of the huiren shi genre.
The Yongming (Yung-ming) period was from 483-493.[11] Yongming was an era name of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi. Several poets were associated with it.
Wang Jung (468 - 494) was one of the most important of the Yongming poets. He became quite involved in political affairs. Eventually this involvement resulted in his early death.[12]
Fan Yun (451 - 503) was another of the Yongming poets,
Su Xiaoxiao (蘇小小, died c. 501), also known as Su Xiaojun, or "Little Su", was a famous courtesan and poet from Qiantang city (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China) in the Southern Qi Dynasty (479–502).
Especially important, and frequently translated into English, is the anthology New Songs from the Jade Terrace, compiled by Xu Ling (507-83), under the patronage of Crown Prince Xiao Gang (Later known as Emperor Jianwen) of the Liang Dynasty.[13]