The Works of Li Qingzhao, Prose 2.1 through 2.5

[x_los]

After a delay in which I came down with various interesting illnesses, we return to The Works of Li Qingzhao, freely available via De Gruyter's Library of Chinese Humanities in Mandarin and English and via several publication formats, including two open access options (the pdf appears to be better formatted than the ebook). This week we're reading the prose chapter: 2.1 through 2.5, inclusive.

This collection uses footnotes and end notes to explicate the work. A few of this week's poems have footnotes, so look out for that.

CLP has an episode on Li Qingzhao you might find relevant.

Comments

Re: 2.2 投翰林學士綦崈禮啟 A Letter Submitted to Hanlin Academician Qi Chongli

[superborb]

Baike says that she ought to have been imprisoned for two years, if not for this intervention.

Baike says something about 'vertical' and 'horizontal' composition elements and how skillfully they are combined, but frankly, that was no more illuminating than 'parallel prose'

Gloss on 'to taste medicine for me': ancient rite/etiquette, when one's elders have medicine, the younger tastes it before offering it to them

Gloss on 'mulberry and elm': once referred to a tree where the sunset dwelled. Later, the light in the trees became likened to old age.

'the celestial mind': the original uses a word which my dictionary says is 'imperial apartments' and Baike clarifies refers to the emperor

Gloss on 'fire mouse / ice silkworm': from folklore, one is birthed from fire, one from ice, together they represent totally different natures.

Gloss on 'single pitcher / single rice bowl': indicates living a simple, ascetic life