Bai Juyi
Master poet of the Tang Dynasty, known for vernacular verse and social commentary.
Chronology: 0772-02-28 – 0846-09-23
Origins & Early Life
Bai Juyi (also Bo Juyi or Po Chü-i; Chinese: 白居易, Mandarin pinyin Bái Jūyì; 772–846), courtesy name Letian (樂天), was a Chinese musician, poet, and politician during the Tang dynasty. Many of his poems concern his career or observations made about everyday life, including as governor of three different provinces. He achieved fame as a writer of verse in a low-key, near vernacular style that was popular throughout medieval East Asia. Bai was also influential in the historical development of Japanese literature, where he is better known by the on'yomi reading of his courtesy name, Haku Rakuten (shinjitai: 白楽天).
Pivotal Works & Achievements
His younger brother Bai Xingjian was a short story writer. Among his most famous works are the long narrative poems "Chang Hen Ge" ("Song of Everlasting Sorrow"), which tells the story of Yang Guifei, and "Pipa xing" ("Song of the Pipa"). == Life == Bai Juyi lived during the Middle Tang period. This was a period of rebuilding and recovery for the Tang Empire, following the An Lushan Rebellion, and following the poetically flourishing era famous for Li Bai (701－762), Wang Wei (701－761), and Du Fu (712－770). Bai Juyi lived through the reigns of eight or nine emperors, being born in...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia