—— Appreciation of Bai Juyi's poems on bamboo
Wang Chuanxue
Bamboo is both rigid and soft, honest and restrained, cold and unyielding in the face of the wind, and is proud and open-minded. Its character is outstanding, which is unparalleled in all the plants and trees in the world. A gentleman loves bamboo, which is his favorite style. Bai Juyi, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty, is a person who loves bamboo. He planted, admired and wrote bamboo, leaving many poems related to bamboo.
Bai Juyi loves bamboo. First of all, he loves the noble quality of bamboo, which is not afraid of cold and will not wither after winter. He wrote in the title Li Ciyun's Window Bamboo:
Don't cut it for Ming Feng,
? No need to cut it into a fishing rod.
after a thousand flowers and a hundred herbs wither,
? Stay in the snow.
This is a poem of chanting bamboo, which expresses ambition through bamboo. "After thousands of flowers and herbs wither, stay in the snow to see them", these two sentences mean that the winter is cold and thousands of flowers and herbs have withered, only the bamboo in front of the window is still green; When it is snowing heavily, you can see the green in the white, which has a unique emotional appeal of lingxue. It shows the poet's love for bamboo and his praise for its character.
this poem uses contrast skillfully, showing the spirit slightly, supporting the meaning of bamboo, and symbolizing the purpose. There are three key words in the whole poem, namely "no need", "no need" and "stay". The emotional tendency and values expressed by the first two words are in sharp contrast with those expressed by the last one, which is actually the contrast between the utilitarian and practical character and spiritual character of bamboo. Let's look at the Ming-feng Tube first. According to the Biography of Immortals, Xiao Shishan played the flute in the Spring and Autumn Period, and he could make the phoenix sound to attract the phoenix to his house, so he called it the Ming-feng Tube. Xiao, which is made of bamboo, is touching and touching, and has rich and unique artistic appeal. Just like Du Mu's poem "Twenty-four Bridges on a moonlit night, where can jade people teach flute playing" ("a message to han chuo the yangzhou magistrate"). The "fishing rod" is a fishing tool for hermits to retire to the countryside, which embodies the hermit's life fun and elegant feelings. The fisherman in Liu Zongyuan's "a little boat, a bamboo cloak, an old man fishing in the cold river-snow" ("Jiang Xue") is the representative of the hermit. It can be seen that the practical function of bamboo is also very valuable.
The first two sentences of the poem are written with powder on the back. It is suggested that bamboo is precious even if it is not a "mingfeng tube" or a "fishing rod", and these practical values are removed, which paves the way for the latter two sentences. The word "Hou" in the last two sentences points out the environment in which bamboo grows: when winter comes, all flowers wither. A word "look" points out the main idea of the poem, stimulates the soul of the poem and makes people daydream infinitely. "Stay in the snow", see what? In the white snow, only bamboo is left. From the isolation of bamboo in the snow, we can see the noble essence of bamboo, a kind of loneliness independent of the secular. The reason why scholars and gentlemen of past dynasties are obsessed with bamboo and linger on is not just to escape from the real society, but to find a spiritual sustenance and a detached sentiment.
Bai Juyi commented on bamboo in the article "Bamboo Cultivation", saying: "The bamboo heart is empty, which is like the Tao; When a gentleman sees his heart, he thinks about applying the virtual one. " It means that a gentleman should think of seeking Tao modestly from the emptiness of bamboo heart. In his poem "Bamboo Works on the Pond", he further took the guilty bamboo as his teacher:
Walking around the house through the fence, ten acres of leisure is half a pond.
after eating enough and sleeping in the window,
? When walking alone in the forest with light feet.
water is my friend,
? Bamboo is my teacher to solve my guilty conscience.
why bother living in the world,
? Take the trouble to find out who you are?
This poem, written in Luoyang, expresses the poet's profound feelings for water and bamboo. The first couplet describes his beloved residence as half pool and half bamboo. Zhuan Lian introduced his daily wandering time in the garden: he likes to go there and walk alone after a full meal and a new sleep. Neck couplet talks about the most admired water and bamboo, and thinks that water is indifferent and can be regarded as its own friend; Bamboo is naturally open-minded and worthy of being a teacher. Tail couplet literally means why in the long world, we have to work hard to find relatives. In fact, I feel deeply about the topic of teachers and friends, saying that it is really not easy to find someone who knows you closely in today's world!
The first two couplets of the poem describe the poet's comfortable and leisurely life from the aspects of full of green's environment and the poet's idle daily life. The latter two couplets show that they regard Shuizhu as their teacher and friend, and express their affection for Shuizhu's interest, lamenting that it is hard to find a bosom friend in the world. Necklace couplet "water is weak as my friend, bamboo is my teacher to solve my guilty conscience", these two sentences mean that water is indifferent, it is my good friend; Cuizhu is open-minded. She is my good teacher. At that time, the poet Hangzhou returned to Luoyang after his term of office was full, seeking to divide the capital and lead an indifferent and quiet life. These two poems reflect this mood. It expresses that the poet wants to jump out of the officialdom's wrong place, far from avoiding disasters and seeking his own safety. It is profound and intriguing.
"Water is my friend, bamboo is my teacher." This couplet was inscribed as a couplet for Yanqing Palace in Shenyang Forbidden City by Ruan Yuanji, a minister, scholar and writer of Qing Dynasty. The couplet takes the characteristics of water and bamboo as metaphor, and then endows philosophy, vividly and profoundly puts forward the attitude that should be adopted in self-cultivation and scholarship.
Bai Juyi regarded bamboo as his confidant. When he was relegated and frustrated, he planted bamboo and enjoyed it, seeking spiritual sustenance in bamboo. He wrote in "Newly Planted Bamboo":
Zuo Yi doesn't feel well, and the grass grows behind closed doors.
why entertain the wild? Plant more than 1 stems of bamboo.
seeing this stream painted, I remember the feelings in the mountains.
sometimes in my spare time, I walk around the fence all day.
don't say that the root is not solid, and don't say that the yin is not successful.
I feel at home, a little clearer. I love to lie near the window, and the autumn wind branches sound.
The meaning of the poem is: the confidant is relegated to a small place to do things in a bad mood, and there are few contacts with people behind closed doors, and weeds are growing in the yard. What can I do to release my love for Shan Ye? So I planted a hundred bamboos. Seeing this color from nature, I recall the carefree heart in the mountains. Sometimes after work, I take a walk in the bamboo garden all day. Don't say that the roots of these bamboos are not yet stable, and don't say that their bamboo shadows have not yet formed. But standing in this yard, I already have some cool feeling of bamboo. I like lying by the window and listening to the sound of autumn wind blowing through bamboo branches.
When the poet is frustrated, he carries bamboo to cultivate his nature, feels the natural scenery in the bamboo forest, and comforts his bosom friend's lonely heart.
Bai Juyi loves and appreciates bamboo, and sometimes he is obsessed with staying out at night. Please read his Bamboo in the East Building:
Take care of the east building, and build more bamboo around the building.
1, poles are fresh, and white powder seals sapphire.
when the roller shutter sleeps for the first time, you can't see enough on the pillow.
the shadow turns into color and the bed mat is floating green.
an empty city is a perfect place for guests, and you are alone in the evening.
if you don't come home at night upstairs, this gentleman will stay with me.
in the east building of the city, there are many slender bamboos planted around it. This piece of green bamboo has more than 1 thousand poles, and the bamboo stems coated with white powder are as crystal clear as sapphire. As soon as the poet wakes up from sleep, he rolls up the curtains and watches on his pillow, but he always feels that he can't get enough of it. The sun sets in the west, bamboo shadows turn into towers, and bamboo mats on the bed are green. The poet refused the guests and stayed alone until the evening. He has been staying in the east building of the city because of these bamboos. The poet loves bamboo and enjoys bamboo, almost obsessed with it, and doesn't go home at night, which vividly shows the poet's elegant interest in enjoying bamboo.
Look at his Bamboo Stone in the North Window again:
There is a rustling stone, and there are many green bamboos.
if you have feelings for me, you still can't get enough.
the situation is near the north window, and it is near Xitangqu.
the wind is clear, and the moss and rain are slightly green.
if you have a wife, you will grow old, and if you have no children, you will be alone.
don't cover the window at night, and the canal will accompany you.
The poet can never get enough of a blue stone and a few green bamboos. What's more, they are near the north window and the pond. The bamboo wind exudes a fragrance, and the moss on the stone is slightly green after the rain. A quiet scene makes people feel calm. My wife is old and lonely without children around. Fortunately, this stone and bamboo are accompanied. Don't cover the curtains even at night, let them accompany you to sleep.
The poet regards bamboo as his companion. Appreciate it, get close to it and feel their warmth and intimacy.
Bai Juyi loves bamboo, and he is also very fond of bamboo painting, and has conducted in-depth research. His "Painting Bamboo Songs and Citations" praised the painter Xiao Yue and his bamboo paintings, and expressed his unique views on painting bamboo:
Xie Lvlang Xiao Yueshan painted bamboo, which was incoherent. Xiao is also very secretive, and there are those who ask for it all the year round. Knowing about heaven and good things, I suddenly wrote a fifteen-pole, and I saw it. Give it a thick meaning, high skill, no answer, write a song to report it, every 166 words cloud.
bamboo is difficult to write among plants,
although painting is similar in ancient and modern times.
Xiao Lang's writing is unique and lifelike,
the only person since Danqing.
People draw bamboo with a swollen body,
Xiao draws thin stems.
People draw the bamboo body hanging dead,
Xiao draws the branches and leaves moving.
born without roots, born from intention,
born without bamboo shoots, made by pen.
on the bank side of the wild pond,
there are two clumps and fifteen stems in the dense forest.
Chan Juan has not lost her pink state, and
Xiao Sa has done her best.
raising your head suddenly looks like a picture,
listening in a low voice is doubtful.
Seven stems are strong and healthy,
See you on the stone in front of Tianzhu Temple.
Eight stems in the east cluster are sparse and cold,
I remember watching it in the rain in the temple of Princess Zeng.
You are quiet and thoughtful, and few people are different.
You are sighing with your husband.
It's a pity that Xiao Lang, Xiao Lang,
My hands are shaking and my eyes are dizzy.
when self-talk is the last word,
from now on, bamboo is especially rare.
Bamboo stands tall and upright, with strong vitality, and the symbolic meaning of lofty ambition and outstanding, which has always been the object of painting by Dan Qing, a literati. Bai Juyi's Song of Painting Bamboo, through the reproduction and evaluation of bamboo branches painted by his friend Xiao Yue, praised the artist's superb skills, and also expressed the poet's outstanding artistic thought and love for bamboo painting.
Xie lulang: official name, on the eighth grade, belongs to Taichang Temple and is in charge of temperament. Xiao Yue: A native of Lanling (now Lanling Town, southwest of Cangshan County, Shandong Province), he is good at painting bamboo. I lived in Hangzhou for a period of time and was very close to Bai Juyi.
The first four sentences of the poem are straight. First of all, it tells readers that bamboo is the most difficult plant to describe. Throughout the ages, many painters of Danqing have spent their whole lives on it, but few of them are similar to real bamboo. However, Xiao Yue, the Xielv Lang, can only write realistically, which can be described as the first person to draw bamboo. Therefore, readers will naturally ask, since bamboo is so difficult to draw, why did Xiao Yue get the secret of drawing bamboo and become the first person in ancient and modern times? What is good about his paintings?
Then, the poet shows the extraordinary features of Xiao's paintings from three aspects:
First, he compares Xiao's paintings with those of others, thus showing that Xiao's paintings are full of vitality, with vivid branches and leaves, and stand tall and beautiful; The bamboo painted by others is thick, bloated and lifeless. This is from the side, with the poor painting of others to set off the extraordinary painting of Xiao. The second is to describe the environment and manner of Xiao Hua Zhuzi positively. At the edge of the wild pond, there are two clumps of bamboo standing tall and straight. The so-called "wild pond water bank side" is an effort to show the wildness and strangeness of the picture. Because the wild pond bends the bank, it is easier to form an atmosphere far away from human fireworks and beyond the secular, which is more consistent with personalized bamboo branches. The following "Chan Juan does not lose her charm, Xiao Sa does her best" is a close-up of the bamboo branches in the painting, which is described from the details of the picture. Chan Juan describes the beauty of bamboo. Zuo Si's Wu Du Fu:
"Its bamboo is ... Tan Luan Chan Juan, Yu Run Bi Xian." Without losing the pink state, it means that it forces Xiao Zhenzhu, which shows that the picture is even fresh and tender with pink, and in the special environment of wind, shock and smoke, it is swaying and graceful. Because the painting was so lifelike, the poet suspected that it was not a painting, but a real bamboo growing in the soil. He recalled that he had seen such bamboo in front of Tianzhu Temple and Xiangfei Temple.
this is the third description. "Listening in a low voice and doubting the sound" can be called the poet's ingenious pen, because only the real bamboo will make a swaying sound under the wind. Xiao's paintings can make people have such an illusion. It seems that the reputation of "the only person since Danqing" is true.
The last part of the poem is lamenting that such a wonderful painting is not appreciated by many people. The poet and the painter can only care for each other and sigh with emotion. However, the years are hard to stay, time is fleeting, and the painter with stunts is already an old man with trembling hands and dazzling hair. This painting is his masterpiece. Since then, it has been extremely difficult to get his paintings.
words are full of cherish for the painter, which invisibly raises the value of this painting bamboo.
At the beginning of the poem, Xiao's bamboo painting was evaluated as "unique and lifelike". In the poem, the word "lifelike" was described in detail from three aspects: the contrast between Xiao's painting and others' painting, the expression of Xiao's painting itself and the real bamboo, which can be described as progressive step by step and rigorous structure. However, what is good about "realism"? Mr. Zhu Ziqing believes that "this truth refers to things, but on the one hand, it is also the truth mentioned in Laozi and Zhuangzi, which is nature, and on the other hand, it contains the meaning of the first item of Sheikh's six laws, which is vivid in spirit, so that it can be natural and alive rather than dead. .....' Realism' is equal to the saying' vivid' or' vivid', which is not only true, but also true. " (On Realism and Picturesqueness) Su Shi, a writer in the Song Dynasty, also said: "On the similarity of paintings, you can see the neighbors of children. Poetry must be this poem, and you must not know the poet. ..... Who speaks a little red, and sends a boundless spring. " In other words, it is not surprising to pursue only the shape, but to write vividly and vividly, and to have a quiet posture and far rhyme is the realistic requirement. When describing Xiao Yue's creative process, Bai Juyi once said: "Born without roots, born with intention", which means that Xiao had a plan in mind in advance and intended to write first. Combining personal interests with nature, it comes from nature and is higher than nature. This is also one of the basic laws of literary and artistic creation.