Tao Qian
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Taoqian1.jpg
Taoqian1.jpg
Portrait of Tao Qian, by Chen Hongshou (1599-1652)
Táo Qián (Chinese: 陶潛, Wade-Giles: T'ao Ch'ien) (365-427), also known as Táo Yuānmíng (陶淵明,born in Xunyang Chaishang (now Jiujiang in Jiangxi province ). T'ao Yüan-ming , was one of the most influential pre-Tang Dynasty Chinese poets.
He came from a notable family which had descended into poverty; when young, he was torn between ambition and a desire to retreat into solitude. He served in a series of minor posts, but his sister's death prompted his resignation, convincing him that life was too short to compromise on his principles. He lived in retirement for his last 22 years.
Approximately 120 of his poems survive, which depict an idyllic pastoral life of farming and drinking. His works had a major influence on subsequent poets.
Editions
- Meng Erdong ed. Tao Yuanming Ji Yi Zhu ISBN 7806260641.
- Wu Zheshun ed. Tao Yuanming Ji ISBN 7-80520-683-X
- David Hinton (translator). The Selected Poems of T'ao Ch'ien. ISBN 1556590563.
- Pohl (translator). Der Pfirsichbluetenquell. Bochum University Press 2002.
Commentary
- Hightower, James R. Poetry of T'ao Ch'ien. ISBN 0198154402.