The Study of Ci Poetry of the Six Zhexi Poets

Zhexi Liu Jia Ci is an anthology of six ci writers, namely Zhu Yi Zun, Li Liang Nian, Shen Hao Ri, Li Fu, Shen An Deng and Gong Xiang Lin, together formed the collective idea of the Six Zhexi Poets. The naming of Zhexi school in Qing Dynasty is derived from this concept. Subsequent scholars regard these six composers as the core figures of the Zhexi school, with Zhu Yi Zun as the representative. As such, numerous critiques were written, focusing on the theory, compositions and influence etc of the Zhexi school with brilliant achievements. However, these studies tend to focus on the common features within the Zhexi school while the formation and preliminary state of this school receives less attention than they deserve. In response to this, this dissertation aims to restore the original appearance of the Six Zhexi Poets by tracing its formation process as a school of ci.;This thesis comprises five parts: I. The first part studies the situation of the activity of writing and replying in poems of these ci composers like Zhu and Gong at Zhan Yuan in Nanjing, restoring the Zhexi school's original features and style. The rationale behind is that writing and replying in poems in Zhan Yuan is the key to the formation of the Six Zhexi Poets. Added to this, their works of the reciprocate poems chanting over materiel things have become one of the important features of the Zhexi school style, which is exactly what is lacking in previous studies. This thesis strives to fill this missing piece.;II. The second part investigates closely the ci activity of Zhu Yi Zun, Li Liang Nian, Shen Hao Ri and Shen An Deng at the Qing capital, aiming to reveal its influence to the ci circle there. The ci circle at the Qing capital merits our attention because it is an important platform where the Six Zhexi Poets can expand their influence and show off their unique style. Through studying the interaction and performance between the previously mentioned ci writers and those in the capital, this thesis aims to restore the dynamics between the six ci writers and their contemporaries in the historical scenario, accounting why the style of Zhexi ci was so prevalent at that time.;III. Through reading the text of the Zhexi school closely, this thesis studies the evolution of the Zhexi school consciousness, from the stage of non-existence to the school's full-fledged formation. Previous studies primarily regard the publishing of these three anthologies, namely Ci Zong, Yue Fu Bu Ti and Zhexi Liu Jia Ci, as the landmark of the Zhexi school's establishment. However, after detailed study of the compiling and publishing of these three works, it is discovered that the Zhexi ci writers initially had no intention to form a literary school in its own right. It was not until the circulation of these works, i.e. after the period of Qian-Jia, that the Zhexi school began to emerge.;IV. To critique the theory on the Six Zhexi Poets. Previous studies emphasize the common features of the theory on the Six Zhexi Poets while this thesis sheds light on the evolution of the theory on ci, the gradual change from difference to similarity. Through retracing this rare aspect of the theory on the Six Zhexi Poets, the position and influence of Zhu Yi Zun is all the more eminent. Revolving around Zhu Yi Zun, this thesis strives to restore the six ci writers' historical outlook on Ci of Song Dynasty. Not only is this historical outlook a reflection of their aesthetic values, this outlook has its practical value as an exposure of the weakness of the contemporary ci arena.;V. To critique the outstanding features of the compositions of these six writers. This thesis does not give any overview or individual studies of the style of the six composers, unlike the practice of previous studies. Instead, it sheds light on the intertwining relation between theory on the Six Zhexi Poets and its practice, linking up these seemingly distinct aspects. The rationale behind is the theory on the Six Zhexi Poets and its practice echo each other. Not only does the creation of the Six Zhexi Poets exhibit its admiration of the style of Ci of the Southern Dynasty, it also highlights the high and pure style of the Zhexi ci writers. This unique style is exemplary in the ci arena.