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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