Ever wondered who turned poetry into a voice for the people in medieval China? Meet Bai Juyi, a Tang Dynasty poet whose words were as bold as a modern rock star’s. His poems, simple yet powerful, spoke to everyone—from street vendors to scholars. Let’s dive into why Bai Juyi remains a timeless icon.
| Born | 772 CE, Taiyuan, China |
|---|---|
| Died | 846 CE, Luoyang, China |
| Pen Name | Xiangshan Jushi (Hermit of Fragrant Mountain) |
| Famous Works | Pipa Xing, The Charcoal Seller, Everlasting Regret |
| Legacy | Global influence, featured in Japanese textbooks, UNESCO World Cultural Figure |
A Name That Shaped a Poet’s Destiny
Bai Juyi (772–846), nicknamed “Letian” (Joyful Heaven), drew his name from the Confucian classic Book of Changes: “Know fate, find joy, and fear no sorrow.” This summed up his life perfectly. His poetry was like a medieval tweet—short, direct, and relatable. For example, The Charcoal Seller paints a heartbreaking picture of an old man in the cold, wishing for colder weather to sell more charcoal. It’s as gripping as a Charles Dickens tale.
“Poetry should reflect the times; songs should capture reality.” — Bai Juyi
His words remind me of Bob Dylan, using music to call for change. Bai Juyi made poetry a tool for social reform, speaking truth to power.
Three Acts of a Poet’s Life
Act 1: The Bold Reformer
As a young official, Bai Juyi didn’t hold back. Serving as a “Left Remonstrance” (an advisor who could criticize the emperor), he wrote 50 New Yuefu poems to expose the elite’s greed. In Red Thread Carpet, he revealed how a single palace carpet cost as much as a weaver’s lifetime of labor. Alongside poet Yuan Zhen, he launched the New Yuefu Movement, urging poetry to have:
- Emotion as its root
- Language as its sprout
- Rhythm as its flower
- Truth as its fruit
Act 2: Exile and Empathy
In 815 CE, Bai Juyi’s blunt criticism got him exiled to Jiujiang. There, he heard a pipa (lute) player’s sad tune and wrote Pipa Xing. Its famous line, “We’re all wanderers in this world; why need we have met before?” echoes the resilience in Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. This poem is so iconic it’s taught in Japanese high schools, rivaling Shakespeare’s sonnets. Learn more about Tang poetry’s global reach at Britannica.
Act 3: The Wise Hermit
Later, as governor of Hangzhou, Bai Juyi built the Bai Causeway on West Lake, ensuring clean water for locals—a feat akin to a modern engineer’s work. In his final years, he retired to Luoyang’s Xiangshan Temple, forming the “Nine Elders Club” with monks and poets. His poems turned philosophical, like this gem: “Why fight over a snail’s horn? Life’s a fleeting spark.” Here, he reminds me of Wang Wei, another poet who found peace in nature.
A Cultural Legacy That Spans the Globe
Bai Juyi’s influence lives on in Luoyang, where his former home is now a living museum.
- Restored Estate: A 80-acre park with Tang-style streets, a library, and gardens inspired by Pipa Xing.
- Interactive Fun: Visitors can play polo, stroll a mock-Tang market, or try archery in Hanfu costumes.
His tomb, Bai Garden, sits atop Pipa Peak, designed to match his poem: “A stream before my door, tall trees on my walls.” A 24-ton stone carving of his biography is China’s largest “stone book.” Internationally, Japan calls him a “cultural benefactor,” Korea’s Bai clan honors him yearly, and Singapore’s poetry monument hails his “Fragrant Mountain” roots. It’s like visiting Socrates’ Academy for Eastern poetry.
Why Americans Should Know Bai Juyi
Bai Juyi’s story resonates universally:
- Love’s Tragedy: His 35-year unfulfilled love for Xiangling mirrors Romeo and Juliet.
- Green Thinking: His West Lake project aligns with environmentalist John Muir’s vision.
- Cultural Bridge: His poems reached Europe before Marco Polo, inspiring Ezra Pound’s Imagist poetry. Check out Pound’s connection to Chinese poetry at Poetry Foundation.
Standing by Bai Garden’s pavilion, I think of Thoreau at Walden Pond. Like Thoreau, Bai Juyi proved you can care for humanity while staying true to yourself. His poetry changed the world, one verse at a time, much like Li Bai did with his bold, free-spirited lines.
FAQ: Chinese Poets Uncovered
Which Chinese Poet Died by Drowning?
The famous poet who drowned was Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE), a Chu state poet. After his country’s capital fell, he threw himself into the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, clutching a stone. His death inspired the Dragon Boat Festival. His works, like Li Sao, kickstarted Chinese romantic poetry.
What Was Bai Juyi’s Life Like?
Bai Juyi (772–846) lived a life of highs and lows, always tied to poetry. At 5, he wrote poems; at 29, he passed the imperial exam. With Yuan Zhen, he pushed the New Yuefu Movement for socially conscious poetry. Exiled in 815 for criticizing corruption, he wrote Pipa Xing. As Hangzhou’s governor, he built the Bai Causeway. In retirement, he lived simply in Luoyang, earning the title “Hermit of Fragrant Mountain.” His accessible poems, like Everlasting Regret, made him a UNESCO World Cultural Figure.
Who Is the Most Famous Chinese Poet?
Li Bai (701–762), dubbed the “Poetry Immortal,” is China’s most celebrated poet. His free-spirited works, like Quiet Night Thoughts and Drinking Alone Under the Moon, capture hearts worldwide. UNESCO honors him as a global cultural icon. While Du Fu’s realistic poems are profound, Li Bai’s charisma and vivid imagery give him wider fame.
Who Was Li Bai’s Best Friend?
Li Bai’s closest friend was Du Fu, the “Poetry Sage.” They met in 744 CE in Luoyang, bonding over poetry and travel. Du Fu praised Li Bai’s genius in poems like Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup, while Li Bai wrote fondly of Du Fu in At Sand Hill City. Their friendship, though brief, is legendary, called “the most thrilling moment in Chinese literature” by scholar Wen Yiduo. Li Bai also cherished Taoist friend Yuan Danqiu and drinking buddies like Cen Xun.
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