Literary Societies

Litterary societies have exsisted for mnay years throughout the history of China though they don't become extremely promenaent until the ming dydnasty.

What is a Literary Society

A literary society is a group of people interested in literature. In the modern sense, this refers to a society that wants to promote one genre of literature or a specific writer. Modern literary societies typically promote, research about their chosen author or genre, publish newsletters, and hold meetings where research findings can be presented and discussed. Some are more academic and scholarly, while others are more social groups of amateurs who appreciate a chance to discuss their favorite writer with other hobbyists.

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Gongan (associated or derived from the Putao she) and Jingling schools Yuan Zongdao Yuan Hongdao (1568-1610) Yuan Zhongdao in criticizing those scholars who imitated classical writings blindly.

Representative figures of the Gong'an School are Yuan Zongdao, Yuan Hongdao and Yuan Zhongdao. Yuan Hongdao (1568-1610) is the most famous of the three. The Gong'an School believed that different times have different literature, and objected to the ways the Classical Revival Movement blindly elevated ancient literature and debased current literature. Prose created by the Gong'an School broke the yoke of conventional patterns and developed its own individuality. The language in their prose is simple and plain.

Existing simultaneously with the Gong'an School was also the Jingling School, represented by Zhong Xing and Tan Yuanchun. Like the Gong'an School, the Jingling School also laid claim to expressing the natural character and intelligence of humanity.

Jingling Zhong Xing Tan Yuanchun

Jiangxi School associated with the followers of Huang Tingjian Huang Tingjian (Chinese: 黄庭堅) (1045–1105) was a Chinese artist. He is predominantly known as a calligrapher, but was also admired for his painting and poetry. He was one of the Four masters of the Song Dynasty, and was a student of Su Shi at his school of literati painting. Huang is generally regarded as the finest and most creative calligrapher of the Song Dynasty. His xingshu displays a sharpness and aggression which is instantly recognisable to the student of Chinese calligraphy.

THE CAPITAL Bright are the city walls of the capital; Red-robed officials shout on broad streets. There is a white-headed destitute scholar; Hanging from his mule's saddle, sheaves of poems. Clasping his calling card, he knocks on doors for work; The gate keepers smirk at one another. Ten try and ten fail; Walk the streets, his face is haggard. Always fear in serving the rich; Sorry your flattery isn't quick enough. Over an eye a black eyepatch; Half blind, the fellow is old!

A STRANGE PRIEST Bought his mantle to escape draft and taxes; Now he's the head priest amid his splendor. Recites incantations, but sounds like a bird; Writes Sanscrit that looks like twisted weeds. With his begging bowl he distributes food of the spirit; On his seat he faces the lamp of Buddha; If you don't devote you whole body and soul, How can there be anywhere Buddhism at all?

Early to Middle Qing

Banana Garden Poetry Club (Jiaoyuan shi she), late 17th c. women's poetry group Founded by Gu Yurui in 1644

A women only Society

Mostly poetry composition Founded in 1644, its members consisted of wealth woman who were husbands sister or daughters to wealthy or politically powerful men. They engaged in poetry composition. Became well known throughout the Yangzi delta. When they were the banana garden 7. Most were from qiantain. Founded by Gu Yurui for her daughter Qian Fenglun. Promoted acquiring graces through education scholarship and learning.

A Winter Day Feast at Chai�Jixian’s Place

The stars record that the year is soon over, The weather is icy, the air cold and desolate. Shrubs and flowers wither in severe frost, Heavy dewdrops evaporate in the dawn sun. Overjoyed to meet with people of pure and simple minds, We sit together in a beautiful mansion of iris and orchid. Our merry words and laughter give rise to pleasant countenance and speech, In harmony we devote ourselves to literary pursuits. Illustrations and books lie scattered around the chamber, A table made of yew displays our zithers and lutes. As the birds disperse the hall becomes subdued, As the clouds gather the curtains acquire dark shadows. A life in seclusion keeps the hurly-burly of the world far away, Standing aloof, our thoughts are idle and carefree. Time flies like a shuttle on the loom, I worry that our happy get-together will be over too soon. Now that we’re tipsy we break into long songs, Having enjoyed to the full such excellent hospitality!

Men where living in a meritocracy while woman were living in a monarchy The image of the beautiful mansion of iris and orchid in Qian Fenglun’s poem alludes to the ancient poem ‘Xiang furen’ (‘The Lady of the Xiang’). By comparing the meeting place of the poetry club, the residence of Chai Jingyi, to the abode of the Xiang River Goddess, the poem links the pursuit of scholarship with the world of immortals – a realm that women tended to invoke in their poetry. In this way Qian’s poem endows the world of learning with the aura of femininity. Another writer to make explicit the link between women, immortals and literati learning was the seventeenth-century woman poet Wu Xiao from Changzhou.25

Ten Women Poets of Wu (Wu zhong shi zi), late 19th c. group Sui Yuan (Followers of Yuan Mei, 1716-1798) Tongcheng school (mid to late Qing) Its representative writers include Fang Bao, Liu Dakui and Yao Nai, who are all natives of Tongcheng County in Anhui Province, hence the name Tongcheng School The Tongcheng School is the most distinguished among the mid-Qing Dynasty schools of literature. Its representative writers include Fang Bao, Liu Dakui and Yao Nai, who are all natives of Tongcheng County in Anhui Province, hence the name Tongcheng School. Fang Bao (1668-1749) carried on the tradition of works and made Yi Fa (Yi refers to the central ideas of an article; Fa, to literary forms and artistry) the basic theory of the Tongcheng School's writings.

Works created by the Tongcheng School stressed the elucidation of the article's purpose and didn't encourage loading the writings with fancy phrases; therefore their writings are concise and natural but lack animation.