Li Shangyin
Late Tang poet of imagist and untitled verse
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via Wikipedia: Classical Chinese poetry · see source
Li Shangyin (813–858), courtesy name Yishan, was a Chinese poet and politician of the late Tang dynasty, born in the Henei Commandery (now Qinyang, Henan). He is noted for his imagist and 'no-title' poetic style. Li has been frequently anthologized, and many of his poems have been translated into various languages, including several collections in English.
Background
Li Shangyin was born in 812 or 813 CE; the exact date is uncertain. His career was rough, and he never obtained a high-ranking position, because of either factional disputes or his association with Liu Fen, a prominent opponent of the eunuchs. Li lived during the rapid decline of the Tang dynasty after the An Lushan Rebellion.
The court was plagued by powerful eunuchs and the Niu–Li factional strife. The 45 years of Li's life spanned the reign of six emperors. Among them, Xianzong and Jingzong were murdered by eunuchs; Muzong, Wuzong, and Xuanzong indulged in escapist practices.
Did You Know?
- The Sweet Dew Incident of 835, a failed palace coup against the eunuchs, occurred during Li's lifetime.
- Li's poem 'When Will I Be Home?' is quoted in Peter Heller's 2012 novel The Dog Stars.
More in Classical & Medieval Poets
Related in Classical & Medieval Poets
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Li Shangyin (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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