Selected Articles of Professor Cheng Ch'ien

About the Author

Cheng Ch'ien (1906–1991)

Courtesy name Yin-bai, Cheng was a native of Tieling, Liaoning. He graduated from the Department of Chinese Literature at Yenching University in Peiping (Beijing). In his early career, he taught successively at Hebei Women's Normal College, Yenching University, Peking University, and Jinan University. In 1948, he crossed the sea to Taiwan and joined the Department of Chinese Literature at National Taiwan University (NTU) as professor. After retiring from NTU, he was further invited to serve as Research Chair Professor at Fu Jen Catholic University and Soochow University. A renowned master of classical poetry (shi), lyrics (ci), and Chinese dramatic song (qu), Professor Cheng was a foundational figure in modern Taiwanese ci and qu studies. In recognition of his eminent contributions, he was awarded the National Cultural Award by the Executive Yuan.

His scholarly output was both extensive and substantial. Major works include Jingwu Congbian (Jingwu: Collected Studies), Beiqu Xinpu (A New Manual of Northern Qu Prosody), Beiqu Moshi Huilu Xiangjie (A Compendium of Northern Qu Metrical Patterns, with Detailed Explanations), Yongjiashi Zawen (Miscellaneous Essays from the Yongjia Studio), Longyuan Shuxue (Longyuan: Discourses on Learning), and Jiaxuan Ci Jiaozhu (Xin Qiji's Lyrics: Collated and Annotated, with a Chronological Biography and Collected Writings)—works long esteemed by the scholarly community. In his later years, he published Qingzhoutang Shiji (The Qingzhoutang Poetry Collection), bringing together more than a thousand poems in classical and regulated forms, each accompanied by his own annotations—an undertaking widely regarded as a landmark achievement in the modern history of classical poetry.



About the Editor

Lau Siu-hung

Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at National Taiwan University (NTU). Professor Lau has served in a range of key administrative and academic roles, including Director of the NTU Center for the Arts, Vice Chair of the Department of Chinese Literature, Field Convener for General Education Courses at the Center for General Education, and Distinguished Lecturer at the School of Professional Education and Continuing Studies.

His research focuses on Su Dongpo, Tang–Song ci poetry, and theories of the lyric form. A widely recognized educator, he has twice received the NTU Excellence in Teaching Award and was honored with the Ministry of Education’s National Outstanding General Education Teacher Award.

He is the author of numerous monographs, including Nansong Jiang–Wu Dianya Cipai Xiangguan Lunti zhi Tantao (An Investigation into Issues Concerning the Elegant Ci School of Jiang Kui and Wu Wen’ying in the Southern Song), Yi Shi wei Ci—Dongpo Ci ji qi Xiangguan Lilun Xin Quan (Using Poetry to Write Ci: New Interpretations of Su Dongpo’s Ci and Related Theories), Citi Meidian Xingcheng yu Cishi Jiangu zhi Tansuo (Explorations in the Formation of the Ci Aesthetic Canon and the Construction of Ci Literary History), Cheng Ch’ien Cixue de Shidai Yiyi (The Contemporary Significance of Cheng Ch’ien’s Ci Scholarship), Duxie zhi Jian—Xue Ci Jiangyi (Between Reading and Writing: Lectures on Learning Ci), Youqing Feng Wanli Juan Chao Lai—Jingdian, Dongpo, Ci (With Passion, the Wind Rolls In the Tide from Ten Thousand Miles: Classics, Su Dongpo, and Ci), Dongpo Ci, Dongpo Qing (Su Dongpo’s Ci and the Emotions of Su Dongpo), and Tang–Song Ci de Qinggan Shijie (The Emotional World of Tang and Song Ci). He has also published two collections of modern poetry: Guangnian zhi Wai (Beyond Light Years) and Wo Zhi wei Ni Xie Shi (I Write Poems Only for You).