Literature
Literary Forms
Classical Poetry
Four-Character Verse
Chu Elegies
Yuefu Ballads
Old-Style Songs
Regulated Quatrains
Regulated Octaves
Bamboo-Branch Songs
Palindrome Verse
Ci Lyrics
Short Lyrics
Mid-Length Lyrics
Long Lyrics
Self-Composed Tunes
Sanqu & Drama
Sanqu Songs
Song Suites
Yuan Zaju Drama
Chuanqi Drama
Southern Drama
Storytelling Ballads
Rhapsody & Parallel Prose
Grand Han Rhapsodies
Short Rhapsodies
Parallel Prose
Prose Rhapsodies
Classical Prose
Pre-Qin Masters
Historical Narrative
Essays & Memorials
Travel Writing
Letters & Prefaces
Informal Essays
Epitaphs & Elegies
Notebooks
Classical Fiction
Tales of the Strange
Tang–Song Tales
Vernacular Stories
Chapter Novels
Qing Tales of Wonder
Satirical Novels
Fables & Lore
Philosophers' Fables
Satirical Parables
Historical Allusions
Ancient Myths
Folk Legends
Literary Criticism
Literary Theory
Poetry Talks
Drama Criticism
Rhetoric & Style
Sayings & Idioms
Idioms
Proverbs
Common Sayings
Aphorisms
Couplets
Rhymes & JinglesCivilizational Canons
Values & Ethics
Cosmos & Nature
Poetry & Lyrical Spirit
Melodies & Performing Arts
Crafts & Material Wisdom
Culinary & Gastronomy
Strategies
Education
Sciences
Architecture
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CommerceThrough the Dynasties
Xia
Shang
Zhou
Qin
Han
Three Kingdoms
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Northern and Southern
Sui
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Ten Kingdoms
Song
Yuan
Ming
QingMasters & Authors
Classical PoetryFour-Character VerseChu ElegiesYuefu BalladsOld-Style SongsRegulated QuatrainsRegulated OctavesBamboo-Branch SongsPalindrome VerseCi LyricsShort LyricsMid-Length LyricsLong LyricsSelf-Composed TunesSanqu & DramaSanqu SongsSong SuitesYuan Zaju DramaChuanqi DramaSouthern DramaStorytelling BalladsRhapsody & Parallel ProseGrand Han RhapsodiesShort RhapsodiesParallel ProseProse RhapsodiesClassical ProsePre-Qin MastersHistorical NarrativeEssays & MemorialsTravel WritingLetters & PrefacesInformal EssaysEpitaphs & ElegiesNotebooksClassical FictionTales of the StrangeTang–Song TalesVernacular StoriesChapter NovelsQing Tales of WonderSatirical NovelsFables & LorePhilosophers' FablesSatirical ParablesHistorical AllusionsAncient MythsFolk LegendsLiterary CriticismLiterary TheoryPoetry TalksDrama CriticismRhetoric & StyleSayings & IdiomsIdiomsProverbsCommon SayingsAphorismsCoupletsRhymes & JinglesCivilizational Canons
Values & EthicsCosmos & NaturePoetry & Lyrical SpiritMelodies & Performing ArtsCrafts & Material WisdomCulinary & GastronomyStrategiesEducationSciencesArchitectureInfrastructureCommerceThrough the Dynasties
XiaShangZhouQinHanThree KingdomsJinNorthern and SouthernSuiTangTen KingdomsSongYuanMingQingMasters & Authors
Literature · Authors
Masters & Authors
Find the authors of the canon by role and dynasty — one page each for their works, life and circles.
Mural guide
In a palace garden of blossom and moonlight Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei sit close together as a musician plays the pipa, while far off a column of riders moves along a mountain road. The contrast of revelry and departure follows Bai Juyi's Song of Everlasting Regret, from the "spring night all too short" to the parting at Mawei.
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