Kanshi (poetry)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese term for Chinese poetry
in general as well as the poetry written in Chinese by Japanese
poets. It literally means "Han poetry
". Kanshi was the most popular form of poetry during the early Heian period
in Japan among Japanese aristocrats and proliferated until the modern period.
The earliest collection of kanshi was the Kaifūsō
, compiled in 751
. The Kaifūsō was also one of the earliest works of Japanese literature, and according Judith Rabinovitch and Timothy Bradstock, it was a collection of occasional verse spanning from 672-751. The compiler of the Kaifūsō may have been Omi no Mifune, Isonokami no Yakatsugu, or Prince Shirakabe and Fujiwara no Satsuo. Three imperial collections of kanshi were compiled during the 9th century: the Ryōunshū
of 814
, the Bunka Shūreishū
of 818
, and the Keikokushū
of 827
. Indeed, kanshi was accorded a higher place than the native waka
form until the Kokin Wakashū collection was published in 905
. Even before the early Heian period
, the word shi (詩) meaning "poetry" was automatically understood to refer to kanshi, while the character 歌 (ka/uta) of waka
和歌 referred to Japanese poetry proper.
The Shi Jing
, great Chinese poets of the Six Dynasties
and Tang Dynasty
, such as Bai Juyi, and to lesser extent Li Bai
, Du Fu
, and others influenced the Japanese kanshi poets of the time, and when the Japanese met foreign diplomats of the time, they communicated in Chinese writing. Some went to China for study or diplomatic relations, and learned under Chinese poets such as Li Bai
and Du Fu
. Important kanshi poets of the Heian period included Kūkai
, who learned to speak Chinese fluenty during his time studying in China, Sugawara no Michizane
, who didn’t study in China, but had a good understanding of Chinese, and Shimada no Tadaomi, among many others. Emperor Saga was a notable kanshi poet, who even ordered the compilation of 3 anthologies of kanshi, the first three imperial anthologies. Also noteworthy are private collections of Chinese poetry. One such collection combined both kanshi and waka
: cf. the Wakan rōeishū
.
However, kanshi composition is not limited to Medieval Japan. During the Edo period
and the early Meiji period
many or 'men of letters' schooled in the philosophy of Neo-Confucianism
composed kanshi. Despite the fascination of the Japanese with the European literature in the early twentieth century, many of the "new literary giants" of the time, (e.g. Natsume Sōseki
) composed kanshi. Interestingly, during the WWII, Japanese militarist propaganda encouraged study and composition of kanshi because it was considered to boost the "martial spirit". After 1945, study of kanshi steadily declined as the school system was changed by the American Occupation policies. Nowadays, kanshi are usually studied in the upper-level kanbun
classes in high schools, albeit only en passant. Shigin
hobbyists too maintain the chanting tradition, but they are few and far between.
Kanshi had multiple forms, but most notable were in 5 or 7 syllables
in 4 or 8 lines. The Japanese poets of kanshi were skilled in the strict rhyming rules of lüshi 律詩 and jueju
絕句, the two forms of the regulated verse that had gained most popularity during the Tang dynasty
in China.
Chinese poetry
Chinese poetry is poetry written, spoken, or chanted in the Chinese language, which includes various versions of Chinese language, including Classical Chinese, Standard Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Yue Chinese, as well as many other historical and vernacular varieties of the Chinese language...
in general as well as the poetry written in Chinese by Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
poets. It literally means "Han poetry
Han poetry
Han poetry refers to those types or styles of poetry particularly associated with the Han Dynasty era of China. This poetry reflects one of the poetry world's more important flowerings, as well as being a special period in Classical Chinese poetry, particularly in regard to a new style of shi...
". Kanshi was the most popular form of poetry during the early Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
in Japan among Japanese aristocrats and proliferated until the modern period.
The earliest collection of kanshi was the Kaifūsō
Kaifuso
is the oldest collection of Chinese poetry written by Japanese poets.It was created by an unknown compiler in 751. In the brief introductions of the poets, the unknown writer seems sympathic to Emperor Kōbun and his regents who were overthrown in 672 by Emperor Temmu after only eight months of the...
, compiled in 751
751
Year 751 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 751 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Pepin the Short is elected as king of the...
. The Kaifūsō was also one of the earliest works of Japanese literature, and according Judith Rabinovitch and Timothy Bradstock, it was a collection of occasional verse spanning from 672-751. The compiler of the Kaifūsō may have been Omi no Mifune, Isonokami no Yakatsugu, or Prince Shirakabe and Fujiwara no Satsuo. Three imperial collections of kanshi were compiled during the 9th century: the Ryōunshū
Ryounshu
is the first imperially commissioned Japanese kanshi collection. It was compiled by Ono no Minemori, Sugawara no Kiyotomo and others under the command of Emperor Saga. The text was completed in 814.-Title:...
of 814
814
Year 814 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Charlemagne dies in Aachen, aged 67 or 72...
, the Bunka Shūreishū
Bunka Shureishu
is the second imperially commissioned Japanese kanshi collection. The text was compiled by Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu, Sugawara no Kiyotomo, Nakao Ō, Isayama no Fumitugu, Shigeno no Sadanushi, and Kuwahara no Haraaka under the command of Emperor Saga. The text was completed c. 818, four years after the...
of 818
818
Year 818 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.-Europe:* Al-Andalus: Grave rebellion in the suburbs of Cordoba against the Umayyads.- Religion :...
, and the Keikokushū
Keikokushu
is the third imperially commissioned Japanese kanshi collection. The text was compiled byYoshimine no Yasuyo, Minabuchi no Hirosada, Sugawara no Kiyotomo, Yasuno no Fumitugu, Shigeno no Sadanushi, and Abe no Yoshihito under the command of Emperor Junna...
of 827
827
Year 827 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Beginning of the invasion of Sicily by the Aghlabid dynasty of Ifriqiya . The campaign in the island against Byzantium will take 51 years...
. Indeed, kanshi was accorded a higher place than the native waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
form until the Kokin Wakashū collection was published in 905
905
Year 905 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Abbasid Caliphate re-establishes control of Egypt from the Tulunids.- Asia :...
. Even before the early Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
, the word shi (詩) meaning "poetry" was automatically understood to refer to kanshi, while the character 歌 (ka/uta) of waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
和歌 referred to Japanese poetry proper.
The Shi Jing
Shi Jing
The Classic of Poetry , translated variously as the Book of Songs, the Book of Odes, and often known simply as its original name The Odes, is the earliest existing collection of Chinese poems and songs. It comprises 305 poems and songs, with many range from the 10th to the 7th centuries BC...
, great Chinese poets of the Six Dynasties
Six Dynasties
Six Dynasties is a collective noun for six Chinese dynasties during the periods of the Three Kingdoms , Jin Dynasty , and Southern and Northern Dynasties ....
and Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, such as Bai Juyi, and to lesser extent Li Bai
Li Bai
Li Bai , also known in the West by various other transliterations, especially Li Po, was a major Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty poetry period. He has been regarded as one of the greatest poets in China's Tang period, which is often called China's "golden age" of poetry. Around a thousand existing...
, Du Fu
Du Fu
Du Fu was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty.Along with Li Bai , he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. His greatest ambition was to serve his country as a successful civil servant, but he proved unable to make the necessary accommodations...
, and others influenced the Japanese kanshi poets of the time, and when the Japanese met foreign diplomats of the time, they communicated in Chinese writing. Some went to China for study or diplomatic relations, and learned under Chinese poets such as Li Bai
Li Bai
Li Bai , also known in the West by various other transliterations, especially Li Po, was a major Chinese poet of the Tang dynasty poetry period. He has been regarded as one of the greatest poets in China's Tang period, which is often called China's "golden age" of poetry. Around a thousand existing...
and Du Fu
Du Fu
Du Fu was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty.Along with Li Bai , he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. His greatest ambition was to serve his country as a successful civil servant, but he proved unable to make the necessary accommodations...
. Important kanshi poets of the Heian period included Kūkai
Kukai
Kūkai , also known posthumously as , 774–835, was a Japanese monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism. Shingon followers usually refer to him by the honorific titles of and ....
, who learned to speak Chinese fluenty during his time studying in China, Sugawara no Michizane
Sugawara no Michizane
, also known as Kan Shōjō , a grandson of Sugawara no Kiyotomo , was a scholar, poet, and politician of the Heian Period of Japan...
, who didn’t study in China, but had a good understanding of Chinese, and Shimada no Tadaomi, among many others. Emperor Saga was a notable kanshi poet, who even ordered the compilation of 3 anthologies of kanshi, the first three imperial anthologies. Also noteworthy are private collections of Chinese poetry. One such collection combined both kanshi and waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
: cf. the Wakan rōeishū
Wakan roeishu
The is an anthology of Chinese poems and 31-syllable Japanese waka for singing to fixed melodies .Compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō ca...
.
However, kanshi composition is not limited to Medieval Japan. During the Edo period
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
and the early Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
many or 'men of letters' schooled in the philosophy of Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism is an ethical and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li Ao in the Tang Dynasty....
composed kanshi. Despite the fascination of the Japanese with the European literature in the early twentieth century, many of the "new literary giants" of the time, (e.g. Natsume Sōseki
Natsume Soseki
, born ', is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji period . He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, Chinese-style poetry, and fairy tales...
) composed kanshi. Interestingly, during the WWII, Japanese militarist propaganda encouraged study and composition of kanshi because it was considered to boost the "martial spirit". After 1945, study of kanshi steadily declined as the school system was changed by the American Occupation policies. Nowadays, kanshi are usually studied in the upper-level kanbun
Kanbun
The Japanese word originally meant "Classical Chinese writings, Chinese classic texts, Classical Chinese literature". This evolved into a Japanese method of reading annotated Classical Chinese in translation . Much Japanese literature was written in literary Chinese using this annotated style...
classes in high schools, albeit only en passant. Shigin
Shigin
Shigin is a form of Japanese poetry, which is usually chanted, either individually or within a group.Individual poems are termed gin , and are usually composed of four or more lines of Chinese characters, or kanji , each line having the same number of characters...
hobbyists too maintain the chanting tradition, but they are few and far between.
Kanshi had multiple forms, but most notable were in 5 or 7 syllables
Shichigon-zekku
Qiyan jueju , known in Japan as isa type of jueju poetry form consisting of four phrases each seven Chinese characters in length....
in 4 or 8 lines. The Japanese poets of kanshi were skilled in the strict rhyming rules of lüshi 律詩 and jueju
Jueju
Jueju is a style of jintishi, or "Modern form poetry", that grew popular among Chinese poets in the Tang Dynasty , although traceable to earlier origins...
絕句, the two forms of the regulated verse that had gained most popularity during the Tang dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
in China.
External links
- A general introduction to Japanese poetryJapanese poetryJapanese poets first encountered Chinese poetry during the Tang Dynasty. It took them several hundred years to digest the foreign impact, make it a part of their culture and merge it with their literary tradition in their mother tongue, and begin to develop the diversity of their native poetry. For...
.