Basic Information
Summary
Topic: Sugou/Jukkō and Impromptu Poetry Composition
Presenter: He Zhehan (Zhejiang University, PhD Candidate; Kyoto University, Special Research Student)
Languages: Japanese, Mandarin Chinese
Host
Development of the Next Generation of East Asian Classical Studies through International Collaboration: From the Perspective of the Frontier of the Realm of Chinese Characters
Reports
On the day of the event, Yang Huijing, a special research student at Kyoto University, presented on the subject of “Sugou/Jukkō and Impromptu Poetry Composition.” Around ten gathered for the session.
First, by citing the Records of the Three Kingdoms and the Book of Northern Qi, Mr. He Zhehan introduced the most fundamental definition of “sugou/jukkō” (henceforth “sugou”). Mr. He then traced the metamorphosis of sugou’s meaning in impromptu poetry composition, discussing the anxiety that accompanied the composition process. Furthermore, regarding the characteristic of creating poetry on the spot in impromptu poetry composition, the relationship between the creators and literary forms was probed. Mr. He also noted that when considering the gatherings of literati, it is important to not only examine the authors and their works, but also investigate through literary forms of literati gatherings, what impact these gatherings had on the forms themselves.
In the discussion that followed, issues such as the impact of changes in the composition locus and time period had on the value of the literary works, and in impromptu poetry compositions how longer texts were crafted, were brought up. Other topics included the composition speed of Tang literati and the creation of Tang dynasty official documents.
We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to Mr. He Zhehan, who provided the topic for discussion, to the professors who provided guidance, and to those who helped to stimulate the discussions.
