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Mao Xizhen

Five Dynasties poet of Later Shu who served as a palace secretary; 29 of his lyrics are preserved in the Huajian Ji.

Also known as Secretary Mao

Mao Xizhen's dates and birthplace are unknown. A lyric poet of the Later Shu in the Five Dynasties, he rose to be a palace secretary and appears in the Huajian Ji as 'Secretary Mao'. Twenty-nine of his lyrics survive, all in that anthology, mostly on women and their settings in ornate language. He is also mentioned in Huang Xiufu's Maoting Ke Hua, juan 3.

Life and times

  1. UnknownBornFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdomsa Later Shu poet active c. 936-942
  2. UnknownDied

Works

  1. Literature · Lyrics25
    1. Silk-Washing Stream · Orioles before the Steps in Late SpringFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci painting a courtyard at the end of spring under a clear evening sky
    2. Silk-Washing Stream · Fragrant Red at the Flower PavilionFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a quiet spring courtyard and a woman drunk and alone in her room
    3. Silk-Washing Stream · Rising Late in the Red ChamberFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman rising late, languid and lovely, her heart stirred by spring
    4. Silk-Washing Stream · A Single Hairpin SlippingFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman rising languid from sleep, shy, wordless and full of longing
    5. Silk-Washing Stream · A Silk Skirt Thin as CloudFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a richly dressed woman who feigns reserve yet laughs far too boldly
    6. +20 more
      1. Silk-Washing Stream · A Light Cap of Green JadeFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman pacing the steps, quietly afraid their trysts will fail
      2. Silk-Washing Stream · Half Drunk on the Embroidered CushionFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman half drunk and languid in a musk-scented room
      3. Immortal by the River · The Southern Qi Emperor's FavouriteFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci on Consort Pan of Southern Qi, whose charm brought a realm down
      4. Immortal by the River · Orioles at Dawn in the Quiet ChamberFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman at dawn in her quiet chamber, chasing the memory of a dream
      5. Water Clock Song · Clear Autumn ColoursFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a cold autumn night in a deep chamber, the water clock sobbing on
      6. Water Clock Song · Cold Misty MoonFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a sleepless autumn night and the memory of a secret lovers' meeting
      7. The Daoist Priestess · Jade Peach and Red ApricotFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a Daoist priestess in immortal finery, seeking a flute-playing mate
      8. The Daoist Priestess · Long Brows and a Lovely FaceFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a Daoist priestess in light makeup, strolling and tending incense
      9. Song of the South · Sorrowful Brows like Distant HillsFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a shy beauty tuning her zither in a quiet hall in spring
      10. Song of the South · Regret upon RegretFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman standing alone in silent longing, dreaming of a lover
      11. He Manzi · The Fragrant Season Slips ByFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's mid-length ci of spring slipping away and a longing that will not rest
      12. He Manzi · Silent, Her Makeup FadedFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's mid-length ci of a shy beauty at her door, holding a feeling no one knows
      13. Rear Courtyard Flowers · Orioles Sing, Swallows ChatterFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci on a palace once alive with feasts, now locked and dusty under the moon
      14. Rear Courtyard Flowers · The Graceful DancerFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a graceful dancing girl, her fresh make-up, slow song and smile
      15. Rear Courtyard Flowers · Little Sleeves of Yue SilkFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a beauty at a railing in late spring, half hiding her face with a fan
      16. Wine Spring Song · Lying Idle behind Embroidered CurtainsFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman lying idle behind embroidered curtains, recalling past favour
      17. Wine Spring Song · The Inlaid Mirror CaseFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman at her dawn mirror, her hair glossy and her hairpin swaying
      18. Deva-Like Barbarian · Pear Blossoms Fill the CourtyardFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of pear blossom, sobbing wind bells and a longing even dreams forsake
      19. Deva-Like Barbarian · The Embroidered Blind over the PondFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of rain on a lotus pond at summer's end and grief as autumn returns
      20. Deva-Like Barbarian · The Sky Holds the Last of Its BlueFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsMao Xizhen's short ci of a woman behind a shut vermilion gate, pining for a faithless lover