Introduction to the concept of Jianghu poetry school

Jianghu Poetry School is a school of poetry in the Southern Song Dynasty. It was named after Chen Qi, a bookseller, published his poetry collections Jianghu Collection, Jianghu Pre-Collection, Jianghu Post-Collection and Jianghu Sequel. Jianghu poets live in different times, and their identities are complex, ranging from those in cloth to those in official positions. However, among them, the works of lower-level literati who wandered the rivers and lakes because of their lack of fame and fame have great influence, such as Liu Guo, Jiang Kui, Taosun Ao, Dai Fugu, Liu Kezhuang and Zhao Ruyun, all of whom are representative figures.

Most Jianghu poets pretend to be Jianghu, and their works show dissatisfaction with state affairs and unwillingness to cooperate with them. It also reflects their dislike of official career and envy of seclusion. Some works of Jianghu Poetry School have a profound reflection on the society of Southern Song Dynasty. These poems eulogize mountains and rivers, or describe events, so as to express the author's patriotic feelings, vent his dissatisfaction with the court, criticize the ugly behavior of powerful people, and reproduce the suffering brought to the people by the war. Liu Guo's Scenery Building, Taosun Ao's Midnight Sigh, Liu Kezhuang's Journey to Hao Hao, Journey to Bitter Cold, Zhao Ruqi's Sigh of Weng Yi, Li Deng's Wild Peasant Ballad and Le Leifa's Going Out, etc. are all representative works in this field. In their works, they often show the depressed mood of lofty aspirations and the sad situation of relying on others. There are also some works that are depressed and show negative thoughts of escaping from the world.

The main achievements of Jianghu poets are embodied in ancient poems and seven-character quatrains. Most of them are dissatisfied with the tendency of Jiangxi poetry school to pile up allusions and show off their knowledge in their poems, and strive for straightness and fluency. Many people, like the "Yongjia Four Spirits", admire the poetic style of the late Tang Dynasty, but unlike the "Yongjia Four Spirits", they try their best to forge it. Some Jianghu poets like antique Yuefu, either vigorous or simple. There are also some people who specialize in quatrains, are meticulous and refined, and are good at refining meaning. For example, Ye Shaoweng's The Garden is Worthless is very popular.

Like "Jiangxi" and "Four Spirits", Jianghu Poetry School failed to shake off the wind of imitation. Low level and narrow tolerance are their common problems. Due to neglect of forging, some of their ancient poems are often intentional and appear rough; There are also many defects in quatrains, such as more clarity and less implication.