An Inscription for a Friend’s Mica Screen Chapter Two: Juvenilia and Other Literary Exercises.Punctuated Chinese texts for all translations and a character glossary of key terms and names appear in appendixes-both of these features are unique among translations of Wang Wei's work. The individual poems, however, are allowed to speak for themselves and are accompanied only by notes and commentary explaining historical and literary allusions. Pauline Yu's exegeses opening each chapter of poetry suggest some interpretive guidelines. An extensive introductory chapter discusses Taoist and 'metaphysical' traditions in Chinese literature as well as Western Symbolist, post-Symbolist, and phenomenological theories as they pertain to the poetry of Wang Wei. She corrects previous translators' prejudices for the nature poetry of Wang Wei by including generous samplings of the poet's juvenilia, court poetry, and Buddhist verse. Pauline Yu has translated and annotated 150 of his poems, the most representative selection of Wang Wei in English to date. Although his poetry has been translated in the West, Wang Wei has not received a great deal of critical attention because of the elusive quality of his work. Xin Yi Wu Mountain Valley Lily Magnolia TreesĢ0.A central figure during the peak of Tang dynasty literary activity, the poet Wang Wei (701-761) combined a subtle, deceptively simple imagery with a profound philosophical interpretation of the world based on integration and harmony. Zhu Li Guan Inside a Bamboo Auditoriumġ8. Gong Huai Mo Palace Footpaths Lined With Scholar Treesġ7. Zhu Yu Remember the Double Ninth FestivalĨ. Wen Xing Guan Elegant Apricot Wood Structureħ. These poems are printed in the order as found in the excellent book, Hiding the Universe: Poem by Wang Wei, Translated by Wai-lim Yip.ģ. For more information follow the link to Wangchuan Ji.

Each one is a quatrain, consisting of five character lines. 660-712).Įach poem translated on this website are from Wang Wei only.

Wang bought this estate from the poet Song Zhiwen (ca. The area is also known as being inside Lantian County, just south of the then capital city of Chang’an, now known as Xi’an. These poems and painted landscapes depict Wang’s artistic impressions of his vacation estate, Wang Chuan, located in the foothills of the Qinling mountains. Unfortunately, none of his original paintings exist, only copies, or copies of copies. Wang Wei was not only a first class poet, but also was famous for his paintings as well. There are twenty poems composed by Wang Wei, and another twenty that echo Wang’s by his poet friend Pei Di. The Wang Chuan poems and painted scenes originally appeared upon a long painted scroll.

The selected poems of wang wei