Through the Dynasties · LD7

Jin

Era of aristocratic lineages, Neo-Daoist metaphysics, and cultural migration

35works

7forms

18authors

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Classical Poetry

Orthodox classical Chinese poetry spanning archaic ballads to Tang regulated verse.5 works
  1. Drinking Wine · Poem 5 (Plucking Chrysanthemums)Tao Yuanming · Old-Style SongsPlucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge, leisurely I see the Southern Mountain. In this lies truth; wanting to speak, I forget all words.
  2. Returning to Dwell in the Country · Poem 1Tao Yuanming · Old-Style SongsThe caged bird yearns for old woods, the pond fish pines for its deep abyss. Long in the cage, I return at last to Nature.
  3. Mourning the Departed · Poem IPan Yue · Old-Style SongsGazing at the cottage I miss her person, stepping into the chamber I recall all we shared. Gauze screens offer no trace of her form, no brush calligraphy remains on desks. Sleeping and waking her likeness fills my eyes, her departed voice still lingers in my ears.
  4. Preface and Palindrome Tapestry PoemSu Hui (Su Ruolan) · Palindrome VerseWoven on silk tapestry in five harmonious colors, twenty-nine characters across and down totaling 841 characters, readable in circular, reverse, and diagonal orders to form hundreds of complete poetic verses.
  5. Mount Tai ChantXie Daoyun · Old-Style SongsTowering high stands the Eastern Peak, its summit piercing the azure sky. Among crags opens a primordial hollow space, serene, profound, and mysterious; crafted neither by carpenter nor mason, its cloud-wrought towers arise purely from nature.

Rhapsody & Parallel Prose

Grand rhapsodies and parallel prose showcasing acoustic symmetry and ornate eloquence.2 works
  1. Return HomeTao Yuanming · Short RhapsodiesPast mistakes cannot be undone, yet the future can be pursued. My wrong path went not far: today's choice is right, yesterday's was false.
  2. Rhapsody on Autumn Inspiration · ExcerptPan Yue (Pan An) · Short RhapsodiesIn the fourteenth year of Jin, when I was thirty-two years of age, I first saw grey hairs. Sorrowful yearning stirred my thoughts, sighing to return to my native village. Climbing high terraces to gaze into the distance, resting my eyes upon woods and streams.

Classical Prose

Authoritative classical prose from Pre-Qin philosophers to Tang-Song prose masters.4 works
  1. Preface to the Orchid Pavilion GatheringWang Xizhi · Letters & PrefacesLooking up to gaze upon the vastness of the universe, looking down to survey the richness of all living things, allowing the eyes to wander and the heart to roam.
  2. The Peach Blossom SpringTao Yuanming · Travel WritingSuddenly he came upon a peach blossom grove, hundreds of paces on both banks; fragrant grasses fresh and lush, blossoms drifting in profusion.
  3. Memorial Expressing My FeelingsLi Mi · Essays & MemorialsWithout my grandmother, I could not have survived to this day; without me, my grandmother cannot live out her remaining years.
  4. Records of the Three Kingdoms · Book of Wu · Biography of Lü Meng (Excerpt)Chen Shou · Historical NarrativeWhen a scholar has been away for three days, one should rub one's eyes and look at him anew.

Classical Fiction

Narrative masterworks from Six Dynasties strange tales to epic Ming-Qing novels.4 works
  1. In Search of the Supernatural · Gan Jiang and Mo YeGan Bao · Tales of the StrangeGan Jiang and Mo Ye forged swords for the King of Chu, taking three years to complete. The侠客 said: 'I hear the King offers a thousand gold for your head. Give me your head and the sword, and I will avenge your father for you.' Chi Bi cut his own throat, holding up his head and sword with both hands to present to the knight.
  2. In Search of the Supernatural · Dong Yong and the Heavenly WeaverGan Bao · Tales of the StrangeDong Yong sold himself into servitude to bury his father. On the road he met a woman who wished to be his wife; going together to the creditor's house, she wove a hundred bolts of fine silk to redeem Dong Yong. Stepping out the door she told him: 'I am the Heavenly Weaver Maiden. Because of your supreme filial piety, the Celestial Emperor sent me to help you repay your debt.' Speaking thus, she soared into the sky.
  3. In Search of the Supernatural · Song Dingbo Sells a GhostGan Bao · Tales of the StrangeDingbo hoisted the ghost onto his shoulder and rushed swiftly to the Nanyang market. Placing it upon the earth it turned into a sheep; he sold it on the spot for fifteen hundred coins and went on his way. As the old proverb says: 'Song Dingbo sold a ghost and made fifteen hundred cash.'
  4. Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital: Kuang Heng Bores Through the WallGe Hong · Tales of the StrangeHe bored through the wall to draw in the light and read his books by its glow.

Fables & Lore

Philosophical fables, historical allusion narratives, and primordial mythology.2 works
  1. Letting the Tiger Return to the MountainChen Shou · Satirical ParablesLet a dangerous rival escape, and he will return as your greatest threat.
  2. Drawing a Cake to Satisfy HungerChen Shou · Satirical ParablesEmpty reputation solves nothing; judge people by their real ability.

Literary Criticism

Classical literary aesthetics, treatises on poetic craft, and critical commentaries.1 works
  1. Rhapsody on Literature · ExcerptLu Ji · Literary TheorySurveying ancient and modern eras in a fleeting moment, caressing the four seas in an instant. Encapsulating Heaven and Earth within artistic form, commanding all creations beneath the brush tip. How delightful is this craft of writing, revered by sages and worthies through the ages!

Sayings & Idioms

Living Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.17 works
  1. Too Happy to Miss ShuXi Zuochi · IdiomsThe captive Shu ruler Liu Shan said he was too content to miss home; so happy one forgets one's roots.
  2. Boring Through the Wall to Borrow LightMiscellanies of the Western Capital · IdiomsToo poor for candles, Kuang Heng bored a hole to read by his neighbor's lamp; studying hard despite poverty.
  3. The Peach Blossom Land Beyond the WorldTao Yuanming · IdiomsFrom Tao Yuanming's hidden Peach Blossom Spring; an idyllic retreat untouched by the troubles of the world.
  4. Beyond Thought and WordsKumarajiva (trans.) · IdiomsOriginally Buddhist: beyond conception or description; now, unimaginable or incomprehensible.
  5. Not Seeking Thorough UnderstandingTao Yuanming · IdiomsOriginally reading for the gist without pedantry; now, studying superficially without seeking deep understanding.
  6. From Ancient Times to the PresentPan Yue · IdiomsThroughout all ages, from antiquity until now.
  7. Like a Fish Finding WaterChen Shou · IdiomsLike a fish in water; finding a congenial person or an ideal environment.
  8. Never Letting the Book Leave One's HandChen Shou · IdiomsAlways with a book in hand; diligent and devoted to study.
  9. Flourishing Toward ProsperityTao Yuanming · IdiomsPlants thriving; a cause flourishing and prospering.
  10. The One and Only Waytr. Kumarajiva · IdiomsOriginally a Buddhist term for the gate of non-duality; now the one and only way.
  11. At a Loss What to DoChen Shou · IdiomsNot knowing what to do; at a complete loss.
  12. Not Sure of Surviving Till EveningLi Mi · IdiomsUnsure in the morning of lasting till evening; in dire, precarious straits.
  13. Seeing Someone in a New LightChen Shou · IdiomsViewing someone with fresh eyes after they have markedly improved.
  14. Letting the Tiger Return to the MountainsChen Shou · IdiomsLetting a tiger back into the hills; releasing an enemy and inviting future trouble.
  15. Drawing Cakes to Allay HungerChen Shou · IdiomsDrawing a cake to satisfy hunger; empty names without substance, or consoling oneself with fantasy.
  16. The Blind Men and the ElephantBuddhist Sutra · IdiomsBlind men each touching part of an elephant; judging the whole from a partial view.
  17. Asking the Tiger for Its SkinFu Lang · IdiomsAsking a tiger for its hide; negotiating with someone to give up their vital interests is futile.