Wáng Xiànzhī jí 王獻之集
Collected Works of Wang Xianzhi (Reconstructed) by 王獻之 (撰)
About the work
A reconstructed collection (jíyìběn 輯佚本) of the literary writings of Wáng Xiànzhī 王獻之 (344–386 CE), Eastern Jìn 東晉 calligrapher and poet, son of Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之. The surviving fragments are gathered in one juǎn. The most celebrated piece in the collection is the 〈桃葉歌二首〉 (Two Songs for Peach-Leaf [Táoyè]), attributed in all major sources — including Suíshū juǎn 22, Yùtái xīnyǒng 玉臺新詠 juǎn 10, Yìwén lèijù 藝文類聚 juǎn 43, and Yuèfǔ shījí 樂府詩集 juǎn 45 — to Wáng Xiànzhī. The song’s opening lines, “桃葉復桃葉，渡江不用楫” (Peach-leaf upon peach-leaf, crossing the river needs no oar), became proverbial.
Tiyao
No tiyao found in source. This text is an extra-catalog reconstruction not included in the Sìkù quánshū 四庫全書.
Abstract
Wáng Xiànzhī 王獻之 (344–386 CE; zì Zǐjìng 子敬; CBDB id 135441) was the seventh son of the great calligrapher Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之, himself renowned as one of the greatest calligraphers in Chinese history. Together with his father he is celebrated as one of the “Two Wángs” (Èr Wáng 二王) of Chinese calligraphy. He served as Zhōngshū lìng 中書令 (Imperial Secretariat Director) and Jiànjūn jūnjiā 建軍軍假. His biography is in Jìnshū 晉書 juǎn 80.
The 〈桃葉歌〉 became associated with a romantic legend: Táoyè 桃葉 (Peach-leaf) was the name of a beloved concubine, and Wang Xianzhi composed the songs while seeing her off at the river crossing near Jiànkāng 建康 (modern Nanjing). The spot was subsequently named Táoyè Dù 桃葉渡 (Peach-leaf Ford). The songs are cited in Nán shǐ juǎn 8 (Hòu Zhǔ jì, as they were sung at the late Chén court) and in the Yùtái xīnyǒng tradition. Beyond these songs, Wang Xianzhi’s literary output is small; his legacy is primarily in calligraphy rather than literature. Zhāng Pǔ 張溥 included a Wáng Zǐjìng jí 王子敬集 in the Hàn Wèi Liùcháo bǎisān jiā jí 漢魏六朝百三家集.
Translations and research
- Knechtges, David R., and Taiping Chang, eds. Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide. Leiden: Brill, 2010–2014. Entry on Wang Xianzhi.
Links
- Wikipedia: Wang Xianzhi