Dr LAM Chuen-pan, Chinese Language Centre

Poetry as Music: Wang Kaiyun's Poetics Studies. Literary Culture and Ming-Qing Poetry and Prose Conference. Research Center for Classical Chinese Poetics (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) and Chinese Classics Research Institute (Fudan University), Shanghai, China, 30-31 March 2024.

Abstract
Wang Kaiyun is renowned for his imitation of classical poetry. Many scholars have studied Wang's poetics. However, despite the abundance of related research, few have directly addressed the core concerns of Wang's poetics and its significance in the history of poetics. In his later years, Wang frequently discussed poetry with his disciples, often stating that "poetry is music," and "by observing the words of the '樂記,' one understands the form and function of poetry." He also remarked that "today's poetry nurtures disposition". Wang's discussions on poetry and music share both similarities and differences with those of Ming and Qing poets, yet they have not received sufficient attention. This paper argues that Wang Kaiyun's poetic concern lies in the "form and function of poetry," which is related to the socio-political changes since the late Qing dynasty, Wang's bureaucratic experiences, and his Confucian scholarly thought. By analyzing Wang's discussions on "poetry" and "music" and comparing them with Ming and Qing poetic theories, we can construct Wang's poetic system and demonstrate the value of his poetics.