Ginger Post

The most brilliant Chinese woman writer was the topic of a highly interactive lecture at the University of Toronto on February 11, 2010. For 90 minutes, the Council Chamber at the Scarborough was not only filled with recitations of Li Qingzhao poetry, but also with well crafted, relaxed, and straightforward remarks by Professor Wei Djao. Basing this lecture on her recently published book, A Blossom Like No Other: Li Qingzhao (Ginger Post Inc., 2010), Dr. Djao’s well appointed power point illustrated Li’s life, marriages, divorce, art collection, and, of course her ci (詞) poetry. These topics were illuminated against the creative backdrop of Song Dynasty (Northern 960- 1127, Southern 1127-1279 CE) history and political intrigues. The power point was sprinkled with compelling images of Chinese art such as the painting “Qingming on the River by the Northern Song artist Zhang Ze duan (北宋 张择端 清明上河圖).

There is a great difference between ci (詞) and shi (詩) poetry, both styles explained effortlessly by sociologist and historian Djao in her lecture and book. The ci was Li Qingzhao’s raison d’être in her poetic contribution to world literature although during her own life time she was better known for her shi poetry and essays. Ci poetry is a separate literary genre. It was set to music in the Song time. It has irregular number of words in each line whereas shi typically has five or seven words per line.

Although the lecture and illustrations were well received by the standing room crowd of more than 80, the pièce de résistance of the afternoon was the poetry readings by the audience. Organized by Professor Helen Wu who was the main force behind Dr. Djao’s invitation, the readings involved classes of Chinese language at various levels of proficiency, taught by professors Ma, Wong, Stowe and Wu. Delightful and forceful readings were in the familiar Putonghua (Mandarin), Taiwanese, and Cantonese dialects by students. However, the performance highlight of the afternoon was the Kejia or Hakka readings by guest reader, Marie Ying-Chu Sheon who was born and raised in India. Hakka is not routinely heard as one of the major Chinese dialects. Wei Djao’s contention is that the official spoken Chinese of the Song period approximates today’s Hakka.

When compared to Putonghua, Hakka is immensely expressive, passionate, and lively. The chorus of live voices heard was a unique learning experience for the audience in a time when text messaging and short, sporadic language appear to have taken over any dialogue. Here is one of the most famous Li Qingzhao’s ci poems that were recited in four Chinese dialects at the University of Toronto, Scarborough campus:

To the tune of “The Fisherman’s Pride”

Spring announces its arrival in the midst of snow.
The glistening alabaster boughs dotted with plum blossom buds,
Withstand cold.
Half revealing her fragrant face –
Oh, so enchanting!
Stands in the courtyard.
The beauty fair as jade newly bathed to be adorned.
Even nature plays favourites
Commanding a bright moon to illumine her exquisite splendour.
Let’s raise our golden cup of new wine;
Don’t decline in fear of inebriation:
This blossom is like no other!

漁家傲
雪裏已知春信至, 寒梅點綴瓊枝腻。香臉半開嬌旖旎。當庭際, 玉人浴出新妝洗。造化可能偏有意, 故教明月玲瓏地。共賞金尊沈綠蟻, 莫辭醉, 此花不與群花比。

The remarkable feature about this ci and others by Li Qingzhao is her reference to wine and drinking, much like that equally famous male poet, Li Bai (701- 762 CE) who probably liked drinking more than writing about being tipsy. Boozing up was not the only topic for Li Qingzhao. There are several extant essays by her. Among them is an elegant trilogy on one gambling game dama (打馬).

Gambling, boozing, and readings! Such an afternoon with a famous Song Dynasty poet, Li Qingzhao.

*Sponsored by the Arts and Events Programming of the Department of Humanities, the Chinese Language Studies Group, and the International Student Centre of the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

For more information about the book, click on A Blossom Like No Other: Li Qingzhao.