The Life & Legacy of Su Shi (Academic Depth & Historical Context)
Introduction: The Man Behind the Legend Modern literary history crowns Su Shi (1037-1101) as the “Renaissance man of Song China” – a poetic genius, gourmet, and folk hero. But scroll back to the 11th century, and you’ll find a far more controversial figure. Through private letters, court records, and rival commentaries, we uncover the real…
Introduction: Tears on Paper Why This Matters:In 1082, exiled poet Su Shi created what’s now called “China’s third greatest cursive script“ – not with perfect brushstrokes, but with wine-stained paper and shaky handwriting. This is art born from political persecution. Key Terms: I. The Manuscript as a Time Machine Physical Details That Speak Feature Significance Modern Equivalent…
I. Two Titans: The Pinnacle of Tang and Song Poetry Li Bai (701-762) and Su Shi (1037-1101) represent two poetic ideals—one embodies the romantic tempest of the High Tang, the other channels the philosophical depth of the Song Dynasty. Western readers often compare Li Bai to “China’s Byron,” while Su Shi resembles an “Eastern Thoreau.”…
Su Shi (1037–1101), courtesy name Zizhan and literary name Dongpo Jushi (Master Dongpo), was a towering figure in the literary and artistic circles of the Northern Song Dynasty. Spanning poetry, ci (lyric poetry), prose, calligraphy, and painting, his works have earned him the reputation of “the greatest literati of all time.” Below are some of…
As a literary giant of the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Shi (1037-1101) was renowned for his wide-ranging themes, diverse styles, and profound thoughts. Here is a categorized appreciation of his most representative works: I. Pioneering Heroic Ci Poems “Niannujiao: Meditation on the Past at Red Cliff” “River Town: A Hunting Scene in Mizhou“ II. Masterpieces…
The Painting of Su Shi Hunting in Mizhou
I. Original Poem “Calming Wind and Waves” – Do Not Listen to the Rain Beating Against the TreesWritten on the 7th day of the 3rd month (March 7, 1082), encountering rain on the way to Shahu. The rain gear had been taken ahead, and my companions were all in distress, but I alone felt unperturbed….
I. Original Poem “Prelude to Water Melody” – How Long Will the Full Moon Appear?(Written on the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1076, after drinking all night, drunk. Dedicated to Ziyou—Su Shi‘s younger brother.) How long will the full moon appear?I raise my wine cup to ask the blue sky.I do not know what time of yearIt…
Keywords: Origin of the Name Dongpo, Meaning of “Dongpo Jushi” (Dongpo Lay Buddhist), Su Shi’s Literary Alias, Dongpo in Huangzhou I. From the Imperial Censorate to Dongpo: The Survival Wisdom of a Banished Official 1. Timeline: Identity Reconstruction After the Wutai Poetry Case 2. Geographical Origins: Decoding the Real Scenery of Huangzhou’s Dongpo Modern Coordinates…
Keywords: Su Shi, original family, Su Xun, Cheng Shi, Su Zhe, family education, literary achievementsMeta Description: This article delves into Su Shi’s original family, analyzing the influence of his father Su Xun, mother Cheng Shi, and younger brother Su Zhe on his growth and literary attainments, and revealing the crucial role of family education in…
