The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.9 - 3.16

[x_los]

This week we continue working with Li Qingzhao’s ci poetry. As usual, the book is 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). We're reading the poems 3.9 through 3.16 inclusive.

Three of this week’s poems have endnotes, but these offer only small points of Chinese language exegesis. 

How to Read Chinese Poetry has three chapters on the ci forms Li Qingzhao uses here:

 

Chapter 12, Ci Poetry: Short Song Lyrics (Xiaoling) 

Chapter 13, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics (Manci) 

Chapter 14, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics on Objects (Yongwu Ci)

From next week, we’ll be looking at these as recommended reading.

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Comments

Re: 3.15

[x_los]

“Willow eyelids and plum-tree cheeks” ?

Hairpins keep getting dislodged in these

The beginning of stanza 1 sets me up to read line 4 as lightly romantic, and then the final line and next stanza spin that into a juxtaposition between the character and their surroundings.

Re: 3.15

[pengwern]

I've been trying to do those hairstyles and dear god, it's awful, and I suppose with her real gold pins they must be even heavier? all the horrible deportment lessons or w/e and it's just to make sure you don't trip over everything....
silk flowers good T__T