Options
Lingnan writing and the reminiscence of Song Dynasty culture: A study of the late Qing poet Jiang Fengchen's literary works = 嶺南書寫、東坡情懷與宋型文化：晚清江逢辰詩作研究
Principal Investigator
Grant Awarding Body
Research Grants Council
Grant Type
Faculty Development Scheme
Project Code
UGC/FDS15/H24/24
Amount Awarded
HK$581,292
Funding Year
2024-2025
Duration of the Project
24 months
Status
Ongoing
Abstract
The late Qing dynasty is marked by a series of crises that necessitated national salvation and reforms. While most scholarly focus on this period revolves around the responses of intellectuals known throughout the state, there is relatively less attention paid to classical literary works written during this time, particularly poetry and prose from local regions. This project aims to address this gap by conducting a case study on Jiang Fengchen 江逢辰 (1859–1900), a renowned poet, lyricist, and painter born in Huizhou, Guangdong. In 1892, Jiang passed the imperial examination and briefly held an official position in the Ministry of Revenue in Shanxi. Despite his brief tenure as an official, he spent most of his life in his hometown, often considered part of the Lingnan region. Through the study of Jiang’s poems, this project seeks to examine how a local literati shapes and contributes to the cultural landscape of a specific area.
This project aims to contribute in the following three aspects. Firstly, it seeks to demonstrate how Jiang’s work contributes to the creation of a sense of place. By looking at a series of poems about local landmarks, the project aims to examine how Jiang’s discursive expressions contribute to the establishment of a local identity by creating sites imbued with cultural memory. Jiang used multiple imageries to conceptualize each of these sites. Under Jiang’s formulation, the landmarks were no longer scenic spots but sites laden with symbolic meaning that needed to be decoded with respect to social context. Another rhetorical device Jiang employed is writing about the sites visited by the renowned 11th-century literary figure Su Shi 蘇軾 (1037–1101). By drawing attention to this region’s unique cultural heritage, Jiang’s writings on these landmarks create a concrete sense of local identity.
Jiang not only pays homage to Su Shi by visiting the sites Su Shi frequented but also endeavors to emulate Su’s poetic style, composing verses in harmony with Su Shi’s works. This intertextuality warrants closer scrutiny as it sheds light on how Su Shi’s influence resonated among late Qing poets. Traditionally, literary histories have often focused on the Tong-Guang School poets, a group of writers dedicated to blending the beauty of traditional poetic imagination with scholarly learning. Jiang’s poems provide an alternative perspective for understanding late Qing poetry, particularly the prominence of Song poetry in Lingnan. Through the case study of Jiang’s poems, this project aims to recognize the intricate cultural factors contributing to regional poetic trends.
Lastly, Jiang’s poems frequently express admiration for the lifestyle of the Song literati, encompassing an appreciation for paintings, calligraphy, and art. This specific reminiscence of the culture in the Song dynasty is not only a sentiment expressed by him but also a common trend among a group of poets and scholars who interacted with Jiang. Through an investigation of Jiang’s extensive social network, this project aims to examine how the artistic community of poets was reminiscent of the Song dynasty. This project will demonstrate that their collective nostalgia for the Song is a response to the sociopolitical changes of the time.
A case study of Jiang Fengchen is long overdue, with his poetry collection, Jiang Xiaotong yiji, remaining unpublished since its initial release in the 19the century, resulting in a lack of related research to date. To address this gap, the PI is currently engaged in editing and publishing the collection, utilizing the original copy held by the Institute of Oriental Culture at the University of Tokyo. Jiang Xiaotong yiji embodies Lingnan culture, regional characteristics, and historical significance in late Qing China. The project’s findings, to be published in peer-reviewed journals, promise substantial contributions to the study of late Qing Lingnan literature, Chinese literary history, and the emergence of regional culture and identity. These contributions will prove beneficial for institutions teaching courses on literary history and Lingnan culture.
This project aims to contribute in the following three aspects. Firstly, it seeks to demonstrate how Jiang’s work contributes to the creation of a sense of place. By looking at a series of poems about local landmarks, the project aims to examine how Jiang’s discursive expressions contribute to the establishment of a local identity by creating sites imbued with cultural memory. Jiang used multiple imageries to conceptualize each of these sites. Under Jiang’s formulation, the landmarks were no longer scenic spots but sites laden with symbolic meaning that needed to be decoded with respect to social context. Another rhetorical device Jiang employed is writing about the sites visited by the renowned 11th-century literary figure Su Shi 蘇軾 (1037–1101). By drawing attention to this region’s unique cultural heritage, Jiang’s writings on these landmarks create a concrete sense of local identity.
Jiang not only pays homage to Su Shi by visiting the sites Su Shi frequented but also endeavors to emulate Su’s poetic style, composing verses in harmony with Su Shi’s works. This intertextuality warrants closer scrutiny as it sheds light on how Su Shi’s influence resonated among late Qing poets. Traditionally, literary histories have often focused on the Tong-Guang School poets, a group of writers dedicated to blending the beauty of traditional poetic imagination with scholarly learning. Jiang’s poems provide an alternative perspective for understanding late Qing poetry, particularly the prominence of Song poetry in Lingnan. Through the case study of Jiang’s poems, this project aims to recognize the intricate cultural factors contributing to regional poetic trends.
Lastly, Jiang’s poems frequently express admiration for the lifestyle of the Song literati, encompassing an appreciation for paintings, calligraphy, and art. This specific reminiscence of the culture in the Song dynasty is not only a sentiment expressed by him but also a common trend among a group of poets and scholars who interacted with Jiang. Through an investigation of Jiang’s extensive social network, this project aims to examine how the artistic community of poets was reminiscent of the Song dynasty. This project will demonstrate that their collective nostalgia for the Song is a response to the sociopolitical changes of the time.
A case study of Jiang Fengchen is long overdue, with his poetry collection, Jiang Xiaotong yiji, remaining unpublished since its initial release in the 19the century, resulting in a lack of related research to date. To address this gap, the PI is currently engaged in editing and publishing the collection, utilizing the original copy held by the Institute of Oriental Culture at the University of Tokyo. Jiang Xiaotong yiji embodies Lingnan culture, regional characteristics, and historical significance in late Qing China. The project’s findings, to be published in peer-reviewed journals, promise substantial contributions to the study of late Qing Lingnan literature, Chinese literary history, and the emergence of regional culture and identity. These contributions will prove beneficial for institutions teaching courses on literary history and Lingnan culture.