The Age Of Courtly Writing: Wen Xuan Compiler Xiao Tong (501-531) And His Circle (sinica Leidensia)

Scholarship on Xiao Tong in both China and the West has paid little attention to his own writings beyond the influential anthology compiled by the Liang Crown Prince. Adopting a philological approach, this book thorougly examines a multitude of texts written by Xiao Tong and his entourage, many of whom were powerful writers in their own right. In addition to drawing a picture of important aspects of Liang court culture such as education, literary composition, personal relations, and ideological and religious trends, this study also redresses a long-standing bias against court poetry. It will enhance our understanding not only of the early sixth-century but also, indirectly, of a significant portion of pre-modern Chinese literature in general. Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Born and Bred to be a Ruler 2. Gentlemanly Style: Xiao Tong’s Literary Inclination 3. Writing for the Crown Prince: Worthy with Words 4. Xiao Tong’s Encounters with Buddhism 5. Pondering on Reclusion and Rulership Conclusion Bibliography Index This book, through detailed analysis of the writings of the Liang Crown Prince Xiao Tong and his circle, will deepen and redefine our view of the court cultrue and literature of the Liang, a crucial period in Chinese literary history. By Ping Wang. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.