Lin Bu

Lin Bu (Chinese: 林逋; 967–1028)[1] was a Chinese poet during the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Junfu (君復). One of the most famous verse masters of his time,[2] Lin lived as a recluse by the West Lake in Hangzhou for much of his later life. His works and theatrical solitude won him nationwide fame,[2] and he was offered prestigious government posts, although he refused all civic duties in pursuit of his poetry. Long after he died, Lin's eccentric attitude and his works retained a vivid place in Song cultural imagination and later works.[2]

In this Chinese name, the family name is Lin.
Lin Bu
林逋
Painting of Lin Bu by Kitayama Kangan (北山 寒厳).
Japan, Edo period, 18th century
Born967
Fenghua, Zhejiang, China
Died1028 (aged 60–61)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
OccupationPoet
Chinese name
Chinese林逋
Junfu
Traditional Chinese君復
Simplified Chinese君复
Hejing Xiansheng
Chinese和靖先生

Works
Painting of Lin Bu by Kanō Sansetsu.
Japan, Edo period, 17th century.

Lin is well known for his romantic poems. One example of his works, titled Everlasting Longing is shown below:

相思令

吴山青.
越山青.
兩岸青山相對迎.
爭忍有離情.

君淚盈.
妾淚盈.
羅帶同心結未成.

江邊潮已平.

Everlasting Longing[1]

The northern hills so green,
The southern hills so green,
They greet your ship which sails river between.
My grief at parting is so keen.

Tears streaming from your eyes,
Tears streaming from my eyes,
In vain we tried to join by marriage ties.

I see the silent river rise.

  • Lin Bu's Tomb on Gushan Island, West Lake area
    Lin Bu's Tomb on Gushan Island, West Lake area
  • Painting of Lin Bu by Kanō Tsunenobu. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.
    Painting of Lin Bu by Kanō Tsunenobu. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

References
  1. 許淵冲 (1986). 100 Tang and Song ci poems. ISBN 9789620710773.
  2. Kang-i Sun Chang; Stephen Owen, eds. (2008). The Cambridge History of Chinese Literature, Volume 1. Cambridge University Press. p. 371. ISBN 978-0-521-85558-7.
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