Yè Xiè 葉燮 (1627–1703), zì Xīngqī 星期, hào Jǐqí 己畦 (variant 已畦), known in old age as Héngshān xiānshēng 橫山先生 (“Master of Héngshān”). One of the most important poetics theorists of the early Qīng. Native of Jiāxīngfǔ 嘉興府.
Career. Kāngxī 9 = 1670 jìnshì; appointed magistrate of Bǎoyīngxiàn 寶應縣 (Jiāngsū). Dismissed during the Three Feudatories rebellion (三藩之亂, 1673–1681) over canal-administration troubles. Wandered the empire, residing in monasteries, reciting sūtras, and writing. Settled in old age at Hèngshān 橫山 (Wújiāng).
Major works.
- Yuán shī 《原詩》 — landmark Qīng poetics treatise; presents poetry as the working-out of lǐ 理 (principle), shì 事 (event), qíng 情 (emotion) through the poet’s cái 才 (talent), dǎn 膽 (courage), shí 識 (insight), lì 力 (strength).
- Jǐqí shī wén jí 《己畦詩文集》.
- Jiāngnán xīngyě biàn 《江南星野辨》.
Disciples. Shěn Déqián 沈德潛 (1673–1769) — most famous; later compiler of major Qīng poetic anthologies.
Buddhist patronage. Author of the principal preface to KR6q0543 《香嚴禪師語錄》 — the yǔlù of his fellow Jiāxīng compatriot Xiāngyán Fāngguì 芳桂 (1631–1708).
Sources. 《中國名人辭典》 p. 1307; Wikipedia.