Poetry

A three-volume book on poetry by Zhong Yuan of Liang, China. The title was apparently originally "Poetry Review," but it is now known primarily as "Poetry Pieces." It ranks the five-character poems of 123 poets from the Han to the beginning of Liang into three categories of high, middle, and low quality, and includes critiques, briefly discussing the origins and characteristics of each poet's poetry. Based on the birth and death years of the poets included, it is believed to have been produced after 513. In the preface, he presents his own literary theory, believing that poetry should be based on character and should focus on interest. He highly praises the literature of the Jian'an period (196-220) of the Wei dynasty, when five-character poetry flourished, and criticizes the excessive use of historical events and the style of poetry that was popular at the time that emphasized tone. Although there have been later disagreements about its evaluation, it had a great influence on later poetry criticism, and along with Liu Xie's "Wen Xin Chao Long," it occupies an important place in the history of Chinese literary criticism.

[Masako Negishi]

"Poetry Pieces" translated by Xing Zenhong (included in "Chinese Civilization Selections 13", 1973, Asahi Shimbun Company)" ▽ "Poetry Pieces of Zhongyong" translated by Takagi Shoichi (1978, Tokai University Press)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国、梁(りょう)の鍾嶸(しょうこう)の詩論書。3巻。書名はもと『詩評』といわれたらしいが、いまはもっぱら『詩品』の名で知られる。漢より梁初までの詩人123人の五言詩を上・中・下の三品に格づけして批評を加えたもので、簡潔に各人の詩の源流と特色とを論じている。収録の詩人の生年卒年により、制作年代は513年以降と考えられる。その序文で彼自身の文学論を述べ、詩は性情を本として興趣を主とすべきであるとの考えにたち、五言詩の隆盛をみた魏(ぎ)の建安期（196～220）の文学を高く評価し、故事を過度に用いたものや、当時盛んであった音調を重んじる詩風を批判している。その評価については後世異論もあるが、後の詩歌の批評に大きな影響を与え、劉勰(りゅうきょう)の『文心雕竜(ぶんしんちょうりょう)』とともに中国文学評論史上、重要な位置を占める。

［根岸政子］

『興膳宏訳「詩品」（『中国文明選13』所収・1973・朝日新聞社）』▽『高木正一訳『鍾嶸詩品』（1978・東海大学出版会）』

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