Yu Shenjeer

Yu Xuanji (Chinese: 魚玄機) (844–871) was a leading realistic Chinese poet of the late Tang Dynasty. Her courtesy name was Yowei (幼微), and sobriquet She was one of only a few female poets during the Tang Dynasty. She was openly bisexual although homosexuality was forbidden during the Tang Dynasty, and made Mayor Chang'an angry with her. Her famous poem is [Easy gained priceless treasure, but difficulty buy good man‘s love.](易得無價寶,難買有情郎).

Bisexuality

She was born in Chang'an. When she was a young girl, Li Shangyin taught her how to write poetry. Her second poetry teacher was Wen Tingyun(溫庭筠) (810-870), who was also her lover. She was concubine to a rich businessman, but this ended when the man's wife forced him to leave Yu, although the businessman still loved Yu and supported her. When Wen Tingyun left her in 870 that made Yu realize her Electra complex.

Then Yu formed a relationship with her handmaiden. When Yu discovered her handmaiden had fallen in love with the same man as she had, Yu hung her handmaiden from a tree and beat her to death, then buried her in her garden.

Poem Style

Yu‘s poem style was influenced by Li Shangyin and Wen Tingyun, poem masters in late Tang Dynasty.

Her works date from the time of the only female Emperor in Chinese history, Wu Zetian. Her work depended on the appointed officials for poetry, till Lady Yu Shenjeer finished her wonderful circle in the late Tong.

Execution

Mayor Chang'an was a warlord. He arrested and accused Yu of murder. On the day of her execution, she said :[Easy gained priceless treasure, but difficulty buy good man‘s love.].

Film

In early 1980s a film according to Yu‘s life was made in Hong Kong.

See also

• Chinese poetry
• Shichigon-zekku

References

• Zhu, Jincheng, "Du Mu". Encyclopedia of China (Chinese Literature Edition), 1st ed.
• Nienhauser, William H (ed.). The Indiana Companion to Traditional Chinese Literature. Indiana University Press 1986. ISBN 0-253-32983-3

External links

• Brief introduction to Du Mu
• Brief introduction to Du Mu
• Ten poems of Du Mu included in 300 Selected Tang poems, translated by Witter Bynner
• Du Mu's poems (in Simplified Chinese)
• Du Mu's seven-character truncated verses