Bai Juyi (Pai Chu-i, Bo Juyi, Po Chü-i) 772-846
One of the most famous poets and men of letters of the mid-Tang period. Born in modern Henan, he held several senior official posts during his life-time, although his outspoken criticisms of government policies resulted in his being exiled from Chang'an in 815. A prolific poet with an international reputation, he strove for clarity in his writings and, with his good friend Yuan Zhen, promoted the new yuefu style of poetry. He was a devout Buddhist and many of his poems are very critical of the society of the time. He is probably best known for his long poem "Song of Everlasting Sorrow".
Works:
Baishi Changqiang ji
Works available in English:
Bai Juyi: 200 Selected Poems (Rewi Alley). Beijing: New World Press, 1983.
Chinese Poems: Selected from 170 Chinese Poems (Arthur Waley). London: George Allen and Unwin, 1946, pp.120-192.
More Translations from the Chinese (Arthur Waley). London: George Allen and Unwin, 1919, pp.24-67.
One Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems (Arthur Waley). London: Constable, 1918, pp.105-168.
Po Chu-I: Selected Poems (Burton Watson). New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.
The Selected Poems of Po Chu-I (David Hinton). New York: New Directions Publishing Corp., 1999.
Translations from Po Chu-I's Collected Works (Howard S. Levy). New York: Paragon Book Reprint Corp., 1971-1978.
Studies and Biographies:
Arthur Waley, The Life and Times of Po Chü-I, 772-846 A.D.
Longon: George Allen & Unwin, 1949.
Eugen Feifel, Po Chu-I as a censor: his memorials presented to Hsien-tsung during the years 808-810.
Ann Arbor, Mich. UMI, 1985.
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