Qijue
Qiyan jueju (七言絕句; abbr. qijue 七絕), known in Japan as shichigon-zekku (七言絶句) is a type of jueju poetry form consisting of four phrases each seven Chinese characters (or kanji) in length.
Shichigon-zekku are the most common form of classical Chinese poems (kanshi), and the standard form of shigin (Japanese chanted poetry).
Composition
In composing Shichigon-zekku, the character of the phrases (zekku) is important. The rules are as follows:
- First phrase kiku (起句 "bringing into being"): Depiction of the scene
- Second phrase shoku (承句 "understanding"): Add further illustration and detail to the kiku
- Third phrase tenku (転句 "changing"): By changing the scene of action, reveal the true essence of the poem
- Fourth phrase kekku (結句 "drawing together"): In assimilating the tenku draw together and complete the poem
Examples
- Example of qiyan jueju:
"江南春绝句"
千里莺啼绿映江，
水村山郭酒旗风。
南朝四百八十寺，
多少楼台烟雨中。"Spring of the South"
Thousands miles of birds' singing, light green along the Yangtze river;
Ponds and hills circling the village with flags in the soothing wind;
Amid the four hundred and eighty temples of the South dynasty;
How many terraces are in the misty cold rains?—Du Mu (杜牧)
(803～852)
- Example of shichigon-zekku:
"富士山"
仙客来遊雲外巓
神龍棲老洞中渕
雪如丸素煙如柄
白扇倒懸東海天"Mount Fuji"
This great peak above the clouds, where hermit-wizards came for sport
The deep pools of whose caverns holy dragons have inhabited from old
The snow is like white silk, the rising smoke like a handle
A great white fan inverted, in the heavens above the eastern sea—Ishikawa Jozan (石川丈山)
(1583～1672)
See also
External links
- Background to Mount Fuji poem (Japanese)
- Explanation of Shichigon-zekku form and history (Japanese)