Meet Su Dongpo, also known as Su Shi, a Song Dynasty genius who did it all. He wrote poems, built dams, cooked great food, and painted art. Like Leonardo da Vinci, he crossed many fields. Yet, he faced tough times but always bounced back.
| Field | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Literature | Started bold poetry style; wrote “Ode to the Red Cliff” |
| Art | Created “poetry in painting”; famous for “Cold Food Observance” calligraphy |
| Engineering | Built Su Causeway on West Lake; invented work-for-food relief |
| Food | Invented Dongpo pork; turned cooking into poetry |
The Timeless Eastern Poet and Thinker
Su Shi (1037-1101), nicknamed “Dongpo Layman,” earned the title “Chinese Shakespeare” from Western experts. He served as a poet, politician, food lover, engineer, and calligraphy innovator. In fact, his talents mirrored those of a Renaissance master.
“Poetry and painting share the same laws.” — Su Dongpo
His ideas came 600 years before similar Western thoughts. For instance, he fixed West Lake in Hangzhou, creating the Su Causeway. This helped people and showed his care for the community. Reading him reminds me of Benjamin Franklin, who mixed practical skills with deep feelings. Both proved wisdom lasts forever.
Three Stages of a Challenging Life
Stage 1: The Poetry Trial Awakening
In 1079, Su Dongpo faced jail for poems that criticized the court. This “Utai Poetry Case” lasted 103 days. As a result, officials exiled him to Huangzhou. However, this hardship sparked masterpieces like “Red Cliff Fu.”
Surprisingly, it echoes Henry David Thoreau’s jail time for protesting war, leading to his essay on civil disobedience.
Stage 2: Transformation in Huangzhou
In Huangzhou, Su Dongpo farmed poor land and named himself “Dongpo.” There, he grasped life’s philosophy: “One straw coat in the rain, let life flow.” American scholar Ronald Egan notes exile turned him into a nature-loving poet. Indeed, he rose above politics.
Stage 3: Spreading Light in Hainan
At 62, exile sent him to Hainan, a wild place. Yet, he built schools and taught farming. Locals still remember “Dongpo words” and “Dongpo wells.” Like Greek thinker Diogenes, he spread knowledge in hard times.
Revolution Across Arts
Su Dongpo blended fields in fresh ways.
- Poetry and Painting as One: He said poems and paintings both capture nature’s freshness. For example, he praised Wang Wei‘s art for its poetic feel. This idea beat Renaissance views by 400 years.
- Calligraphy’s Zen Charm: He made “frog-squashed-by-stone” style, loving unplanned beauty. It matches Jackson Pollock’s free splashes.
- Food as Poetry: He created Dongpo pork and jelly. His tip: “Low fire, less water, it turns tasty on its own.” This blends cooking with art, like Julia Child’s French recipes.
Zen Life in Everyday Moments
Su Dongpo found humor and depth in daily life.
Witty Talks with Monk Foyin
He joked with monk Foyin using puns. Once, Su said a dog chewed “river monk bone.” Foyin tossed a fan: “Water flows Dongpo poem (corpse)!” Their fun friendship recalls Mark Twain’s tales with preachers.
Love in Three Parts
| Wife | Influence | Western Parallel |
|---|---|---|
| Wang Fu | Smart advisor; inspired mourning poem | Dante and Beatrice |
| Wang Runzhi | Exile companion; created soups | Curie couple’s teamwork |
| Wang Chaoyun | Soul mate; “Grass grows everywhere” | Yeats and Maud Gonne |
Fun fact: Chaoyun’s tomb holds “Life’s a journey, I’m a traveler too.” This beats existential films by 900 years.
Su Dongpo’s Lessons for Today
Su Dongpo teaches timeless wisdom.
- Thriving in Tough Times: From farming to teaching, he created under limits, like Van Gogh painting in madness.
- Crossing Skills: Stanford experts call him an ancient “T-shaped” talent—deep in poetry, wide in engineering and cooking.
- Nature’s Wisdom: “Only clear wind by the river, bright moon in hills” echoes Thoreau’s Walden Pond by 700 years. Discover more about Song Dynasty poets at Britannica.
In today’s fast world, Su Dongpo shows real innovation comes from loving life. His spirit, like that of Bai Juyi, proves ancient Eastern thinkers unlocked human breakthroughs long ago. He even inspired bold styles seen in Li Bai‘s works.
FAQ: All About Su Dongpo
What is Su Shi Famous For?
Su Shi, or Su Dongpo, shone as an all-around talent in literature, art, politics, and culture.
- Literature: Led bold lyrics; with Huang Tingjian as “Su-Huang” in poetry; “Ode on the Red Cliff” tops prose.
- Art: One of “Four Song Calligraphers”; painted bamboo and rocks; pushed “poetry-painting unity.”
- Politics and Engineering: Fixed West Lake with Su Causeway; focused on people despite exiles.
- Food and Culture: Made Dongpo pork; influenced Japan, where “Dongpo” means miso.
Check reliable sources like Poetry Foundation for more.
What is the Famous Poem of Su Shi?
For poems, “Inscription on the Wall of West Forest Temple” stands out. For lyrics, “Prelude to Water Melody: When Will the Moon Be Clear and Bright?” spreads wide.
Inscription on the Wall of West Forest Temple:
From the side, a whole range; from the end, a single peak: Far, near, high, low, no two parts alike. Why can’t I tell the true shape of Lu-shan? Because I myself am in the mountain.
It teaches “insiders miss the big picture.”
Prelude to Water Melody:
When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine, I ask the blue sky… May we all be blessed with longevity; Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.
UNESCO honors it as a world cultural gem.
What Does Su Shi Mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, “Su Shi” (Dongpo) playfully means “miso” due to sound alike.
The “Three Sus” (father and brothers) sound like “mi-so.” Dictionaries like “Kojien” note this fun link, showing Japan’s love for Su Dongpo’s culture.
Who Was the Poet Su Shi in the Song Dynasty?
Su Shi (1037-1101), styled Zizhan, nicknamed Dongpo Layman, peaked as a North Song all-star.
- Background: From Meishan, Sichuan; son of Su Xun, brother of Su Zhe.
- Career: Passed exams at 21; served in Hangzhou, Mizhou; exiled after Utai case to Huangzhou, then south.
- Legacy: Excelled in five arts; led literary scene; works in classic anthologies.
Later, titled “Grand Tutor” and “Literary Loyal.” History books like “Song History” confirm his status.
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