Shao Yong's (1011-77) "Great Chant on Observing Weiqi": an archetype of Neo-Confucian poetry.

AuthorChen, Zu-yan
PositionCritical essay

Weiqi [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (or go), a board game originating in China, has inspired many poets throughout Chinese history. Among the numerous weiqi poems, Shao Yong's [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (1011-77) "Great Chant on Observing Weiqi" [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] stands out for its dramatic descriptions, powerful allusions, profound meaning, as well as its notable length. (1) Its 360 lines with 1,800 characters make it one of the longest poems in premodern Chinese literature. Although there has been no hierarchical listing of poem lengths, "The Peacock Flies Southeast" ("Kongque dongnan fei" [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]), a folk song traditionally dated to the Jian'an [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] period (196-220), though probably a literati reworking from a century or more later, has commonly been considered "the longest poem from antiquity to the present" [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] ever since Shen Deqian [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (1673-1769) labeled it thus. (2) Yet with its 357 lines and 1,785 characters, "The Peacock Flies Southeast" is fifteen characters fewer than Shao Yong's "Great Chant on Observing Weiqi." (3)

The significance of Shao Yong's weiqi poem, however, goes far beyond the number of its lines and characters. Shao Yong, one of the founders of Neo-Confucianism (The Learning of the Way [daoxue [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]], or Principle Learning [lixue [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]]), (4) was also a learned historian and a prolific poet. His Beating Earth Collection (Jirang ji [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]), edited by Shao Yong himself and his son Shao Bowen [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (1056-1134), (5) contains over 1,500 poems. (6) These poems are generally organized chronologically, with the distinct exception of the "Great Chant on Observing Weiqi," which, though lacking a date of composition, appears as the first poem in the collection. (7) This placement seems indicative of the poem's importance in the poet's mind--as representative of his poetic talent, historical erudition and philosophical insight. However, little scholarly attention has been given to Shao Yong's weiqi poem. (8) This neglect justifies a complete, annotated translation and analysis of the masterpiece. (9)

The poem reads:

Some are skilled at exploring [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], the arts, (10) I have observed weiqi games. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. After calculation, creations and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], evolutions are known, 4 Through moves, the trivial and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. the subtle are seen. Minds are ceaseless in their [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], desire for victory, Intentions of striving for [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. initiative do not subside. (11) In front of people, the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], etiquette of guest and host is thoroughly observed, 8 But facing each other, they are [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. like barbarians and savages. Money and profit agitate minds, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Joy and anger show in faces. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Life and death are in the hand, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 12 Give or take flame in the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. cheeks. Perversity does not differ from [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], ice and charcoal, Harmony does not equate to xun [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. and chi. (12) Loyalty does not extend to [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], company and friends, 16 Affection does not connect [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. husband and wife. Pearls and jade flow from bosom [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], and sleeves, (13) Dragons and snakes race in liver [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. and spleen. (14) Strong fortresses rise from wine [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], cups and meat bowls, 20 Swords and spears cross in front [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. of screens and curtains. Ghosts and spirits labor during [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], daytime, Flood dragons and hornless [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. dragons coil on the ground. Thunder and hail crack in the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], sky and upon the river, 24 Male and female whales are slain [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. on land and sea. (15) Comfort and gloom align with [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], winter and summer, Hidden sun and crescent moon [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. share in dark and light. Mountains and rivers brighten [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], the earth, 28 Stars gather in the Dipper's [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. bowl. Betting on a winning or losing [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], situation, One is instead startled on the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. path of favor or disgrace. High and low are easy to judge, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 32 Back and forth are difficult to [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. catch. Once the mind has decided, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Benefit and detriment need not [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. be mentioned again. Rolling up or stretching at the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], strategic points, 36 Taking or abandoning in the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. flash of a moment. The wise are hurt by deceiving [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], others, The honest err due to [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. obtuseness. Truth and deceit blend together, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 40 Name and reality are both [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. ruined. Gain is the root of loss, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Fortune is the ladder to [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. calamity. Heaven and Earth branch out into [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Conflict, (16) 44 Fire and Water change into [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Opposition. (17) Bullying and invading each other [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], by bow and arrow, Slandering and cheating mutually [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. through speech and word. Not that there is no victory or [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], defeat, 48 But they do not halt rise and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. fall. What was right the previous day [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Could be wrong today. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. What is strong today, [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 52 Could be weak tomorrow. [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Using antiquity to observe later [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], generations, The farthest traces are revealed [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. at the end of days. Using the present to observe [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], the past, 56 How could it stop at Paoxi? (18) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]? With hands folded in front, Yao [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], and Shun bowed on yielding the throne, (19) And the Four Evils still [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. hesitated to follow. (20) Tang of the Shang held shield [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], and spear, (21) 60 And the Sanlao indeed had [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. admonitions. (22) Although Gaoyao stated [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], strategies, (23) And Yi Yin and Duke of Zhou [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], presented the norms, (24) It still cannot be avoided [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 64 That the bones were treated, but [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. the muscles were hurt. Benevolence was defeated by [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], fame, Righteousness was squeezed by [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. profit. Order and chaos don't end by [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], themselves, 68 Conventionality or reform occurs [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. only when appropriate. Passing the throne to the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], worthy, but not to the son, Flaws and blemishes occur in [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. both the worthy and the foolish. Passing it to the son, but not [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], to the worthy, 72 Sores and wounds grew in the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. descendants. Once the Miao people opposed [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], orders, (25) Or the Youhu blocked the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. power, (26) Or Yi and Zhuo provoked [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], conflicts, (27) 76 Or Guan and Cai generated [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. suspicions, (28) Or the Shang people attacked [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Ge, (29) Or the Zhou people defeated [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Li, (30) Or boosted the army's spirit in [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Mingtiao, (31) 80 Or held up flags in Muye. (32) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. It was seen clearly that the sun [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], of Xiatai (33) Was once shining on those who [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. rose from Mount Er. (34) How could one know that the moon [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], of Youli (35) 84 Wouldn't shine upon the army [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]? crossing Meng? (36) King Li fled to Zhi, (37) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], King You died in Li. (38) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. King Ping moved to Luo, (39) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 88 King Nan was defeated in [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Yi. (40) Once there was an alliance at [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Zhaoling, (41) Or a meeting in Huangchi, (42) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Or battling in Chang'an, (43) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 92 Or regicide in Ganxi, (44) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Or entering into Yan and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Ying, (45) Or dwelling in Guiji, (46) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Or massacring in Daliang, (47) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], 96 Or invading of Linzi. (48) [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Five Hegemons each bit and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], swallowed, (49) Seven Powers whipped and caned [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. one another. (50) The tyrannous Qin destroyed six [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], states, 100 Chu and Han had to...

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