This is the Du Fu episode. Along with Li Bai, discussed last episode, he’s considered the greatest poet in Chinese history. That’s of course a matter of opinion. We’ll take a brief look at the rough road Du Fu had to walk most of his years.
In addition to looking at his life we’ll hear a few of his regulated verse poems.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cháng’ān | 长安 | Ancient capital of more than a few dynasties/ Present day Xian |
| Chéngdū | 成都 | Capital of Sichuan province |
| Chóngqìng | 重庆 | Formerly part of Sichuan, now an independent municipality |
| Chūn Wàng | 春望 | The Du Fu poem "Spring View" |
| Daìzōng | 唐代宗 | Tang emperor from 762-779 |
| Dòngtíng Lake | 洞庭湖 | Lake in central China in between Hubei and Hunan |
| Dù Fǔ | 杜甫 | One of the greatest poets in Chinese history, lived 712-770. |
| Dù Fǔ Cǎo Táng | 杜甫草堂 | Du Fu's Grass Hut, located in Chengdu |
| Dēng Yuèyáng Lóu | 登岳阳楼 | The Du Fu poem “Ascending Yuèyáng Tower” |
| Fèngxiáng | 凤翔 | City west of Xi'an |
| Fújiàn | 福建 | Coastal province to the south of China |
| Fūzhōu | 鄜州 | City in northern Shaanxi |
| Gānsù | 甘肃 | Province in western China |
| Gǒngyì | 巩义 | Birthplace of Du Fu, located midway between Luòyáng and Zhèngzhōu |
| Hán Yù | 韩愈 | One of ancient China's greatest masters of prose literature. Also a great statesman and Neo-Confucian pioneer. Lived 768-824 |
| Héběi | 河北 | Northern province in China |
| Húběi | 湖北 | Province just to the north of Hunan |
| Húnán | 湖南 | Province in central China |
| Jiāngsū | 江苏 | Coastal province in central China |
| Jìnshì Exam | 进士 | The most important exam of the imperial examination system |
| Kuízhōu | 夔州 | Ancient city that is now part of the municipality opf Chongqing |
| Kāiyuán Era | 开元盛世 | The second era of Xuanzong's reign, 713-741. Also referred to in poetry as the period of the High Tang |
| Luòyáng | 洛阳 | One of China's ancient capitals, located in Henan province |
| Lǐ Bái | 李白 | One of the greatest poets and certainly the most famous one in China. Lived 701-762 |
| Lǐ Línfǔ | 李林甫 | Chancellor to Xuanzong. Famous for protecting his turf |
| Píngjiāng County | 平江县 | County in Hunan located about ninety minutes from downtown Chángshā. |
| Qiánlóng | 乾隆 | Qing Dynasty emperor who reigned during the 18th century |
| Qīng | 清朝 | Last imperial dynasty of China that lasted from 1644-1911 |
| Qū Yuán | 屈原 | Chu poet and official who lived from around 340 to 278 BCE |
| Ruìzōng | 唐睿宗 | Tang emperor from 684-690 |
| Shāndōng | 山东 | Coastal province in the north of China |
| Shīshèng | 诗圣 | The Poet Sage |
| Shīshǐ | 诗史 | The Poet Historian |
| Shǎnxī | 陕西 | Province in northern China that always get mixed up with Shānxī |
| Sìchuān | 四川 | Province in southwest China |
| Sùzōng | 肃宗 | Son of Emperor Xuanzong. He was the emperor on duty for most of the An Lushan Rebellion. Reigned 756-762 |
| Tiānmò Huái Lǐ Bái | 天末怀李白 | The Du Fu poem “Thinking of Lǐ Bái at the End of the Sky” |
| Táng Shī Sānbǎi Shǒu | 唐诗三百首 | “Three Hundred Tang Poems" |
| Wáng Wéi | 王维 | Another one of the greatest Tang poets. Lived from 699-759, a contemporary of Li Bai and Du Fu |
| Wáng Ānshí | 王安石 | Ushered in the New Policies as chancellor during the Song Dynasty. Lived 1021-1086. He also was a big Du Fu fan |
| Xuánzōng | 唐玄宗 | Also known as Emperor Ming of Tang, reigned 690-705, a total of 43 years |
| Yuè Yè | 月夜 | The Du Fu poem “Tonight the Moon Shines Over Fūzhōu” |
| Yuèyáng | 岳阳 | A major city in Hunan located west of Dòngtíng Lake. |
| Yáng Guìfēi | 杨贵妃 | Lived 719-756. Very influential imperial consort to Emperor Xuanzong. The An Lushan Rebellion is partially blamed on her |
| Yáng Guózhōng | 杨国忠 | Cousin of Yang Guifei who helped lead Xuanzong down the path of disaster |
| Yán’ān | 延安 | City in northern Shaanxi. World famous since the 1930's |
| Zhèjiāng | 浙江 | The province next door to Jiangsu to the south |
| Ān Lùshān Rebellion | 安禄山之乱 | A seven year rebellion in China that lasted from 755-763 |
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