Literary Societies
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.
Literature Soceities exsisted very early on in Chinese History though this page will only look at littereray Societies from the Ming onward.
Ming Dynasty Litterary Societies (1368-1644)
Gongan and Jingling Schools
The Gongan School Focuesed on criticizing those scholars who imitated classical writings blindly. Gong'an School believed that different times have different literature, and objected to how Classical Revival Movement blindly elevated ancient literature and looked down upoun 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. Major members of the Gong'an School were Yuan Zongdao Yuan Hongdao (1568-1610) Yuan Zhongdao
Poems by Yuan Hongdao notice the plainess and directness compared to the classical writings.
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?
Existing simultaneously with the Gong'an School was also the Jingling School, whose most famous member's were Zhong Xing and Tan Yuanchun. Like the Gong'an School, the Jingling School also claimed to express natural character and intelligence of humanity.
Jiangxi School
The Jiangxi School was 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.
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.
Late Qing
Southern Society (Nanshe; 1908-22) Guocui (National essence) Chunliu she (Spring Willow society) founded by Chen Qubing, Gao Kan, Liu Yazi
the Nanshe was sometimes called the "literary arm" of that revolutionary organization, publishing some 22 volumes of poetry, and issues of literary style were hotly debated founded by Chen Qubing, Gao Kan, Liu Yazi and eventually had a membership of over 1,000, with branches in major cities with a anti-Qing revolutionary platform (the name itself implied the Ming dynasty); these three had been members of the Guocui she (National essence society); founded shortly after the execution of Qiu Jin and Xu Xilin; many members were also members of the Tongmenghui the Nanshe was sometimes called the "literary arm" of that revolutionary organization, publishing some 22 volumes of poetry, and issues of literary style were hotly debated after the GMD allied with the CCP, Liu Yazi became "intoxicated" by Marx and Bolshevism; the Nanshe was dissolved and the Xin nanshe (New Southern Society) was established; their forums were the Minguo ribao and the supplement Juewu (edited by Shao Lizi); Chen Qubing rejected this new orientation and set up his own competing Hunan branch of the Nanshe that opposed the New Culture movement being promoted by his erst while colleagues
Spring Willow Society (Chunlie She) 1906 or early1907 in Tokyo by a group of Chinese overseas students the first modern dramatic society Jisheng she (1908) and Shenyou hui (1909), both established in Japan Wenyi xin juchang (1910), Xinju tongzhi hui (1912-ca.1915), Wenshe (1913), and Chunliu juchang (1914-1915), founded on the mainland In 1918/1919 Spring Willow (Chunliu zazhi) 1906 or early1907 in Tokyo by a group of Chinese overseas students formed in Japan in 1908, the first modern dramatic society These drama societies include Jisheng she (1908) and Shenyou hui (1909), both established in Japan Wenyi xin juchang (1910), Xinju tongzhi hui (1912-ca.1915), Wenshe (1913), and Chunliu juchang (1914-1915), founded on the mainland In 1918/1919 one of the founding members of the Spring Willow Society published the magazine Spring Willow (Chunliu zazhi); this magazine was intended by its main editor to revive the spirit of the original society but, as far I can see, was not attached to any drama society
Modern Chinese Literary Societies
Members: Mao Dun, Zheng Zhenduo, Xu Dishan, Wang Tongzhao, Ye Shaojun, Geng Jizhi, Zhou Zuoren, Sun Fuyuan, Guo Shaoyu, Huang Luyin, Bing Xin Goals: translations of progressive Western Lit. scientific research of traditional Chinese lit. foster cooperation in literary studies and facilitate the dissemination of knowledge from West and knowledge gained through literary endeavour Journals
Xiaoshuo yuebao (Shanghai: Commercial Press)
manifesto written by Zhou Zuoren, Wenxue xunkan Shi yuekan (Poetry monthly, 1922-) Publication Series translation series, creative writing series, humor series, drama series Tenets: literature as exposition of real life (not of dao) opposed view of literature as a diversion for pleasure concern with social rather than personal problems opposed notion of inspiration as source of lit. art for life's sake (realism)
Chuangzuo she (Creation Society; 1921-29) Members: Guo Moruo, Yu Dafu, Cheng Fangwu, Zhang Ziping, Tian Han, Feng Yuanjun Journals: Chuangzuo jikan (1922-25) and Chuangzuo zhoubao Chuangzuo yuekan and Hongshui Wenhua pipan Tenets: romanticism (against naturalism) aestheticism (perfection in beauty) self-expression: "Our isms, our ideologies are not the same. Niether do we insist they should be the same. The view that we all share is that we should follow the demands from the bottom of the heart and get on with our activities in literature and art" ("Afterword," Chuangzao jikan 1, 2) source of literature in inspiration and genius Radicalization of society after 1925 (May 30 Movement) Important theoretical articles: "Cong wenxue geming dao geming wenxue" (Cheng Fangwu) "Xin wenxue de shiming" (Cheng Fangwu) "Zenyang de jianshe geming wenxue" (Li Chuli) "Introduction to Sorrows" (Guo Moruo)
References
http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/denton2/publications/research/soc.htm http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-SHDS200902006.htm http://history.cultural-china.com/en/50History6377.html Berg, Daria, and Chloë Starr. The Quest for Gentility in China: Negotiations beyond Gender and Class. London: Routledge, 2007. Print. http://english.ccnt.com.cn/?catog=literature&file=040101&page=3&ads=service_001 http://unisg.academia.edu/DariaBerg/Papers/1178053/Daria_Berg._Negotiating_Gentility_The_Banana_Garden_Poetry_Club_in_Seventeenth-Century_Jiangnan_