A Study On Hsi K'ang Phenomenon Before Tang Dynasty

The current research on Hsi K'ang is neither conscious nor systematic; this paper begins with the perspective "acceptance research" and focuses on the acceptance of Hsi K'ang's literature and art in the Six Dynasties period with "pre-Tang" as the delimitation to develop some new ideas for further understanding Hsi K'ang's personality and literary and artistic creation. In this dissertation, the "Introduction" part reflects on the status quo of "reception aesthetics" and the "acceptance research" in the field of classical literature.The first chapter explores the "immortalization" and "apotheosis" of the image of "Hsi K'ang". The immortal belief, the medicine taking, the creation tours, the subtle relationship between profound scholars and the immortals in the Legend of Profound Scholars and the legends of Hsi K'ang's immortal quality and celestial change create the "immortalization" of the image of "Hsi K'ang". This is a product of Hsi K'ang's immortal activities and his Taoism practices. The "apotheosis" of the image of "Hsi K'ang" comes mainly from the image recreation under novelists and the worship by the later generation solicited by Hsi K'ang's qualities, talent and spirit.The second chapter explores the acceptance and exclusion of Hsi K'ang, the acceptance of Letter to Shan T'ao and the exclusion of Hsi K'ang's being killed during health promotion", in Jin Tang. Besides the literary clue from the "On defilation" from the Six Dynasties, Letter to Shan T'ao has unique artistic charms. The biggest impact on the later generation is Hsi K'ang's laziness. There is a ambitions statement in Letter to Shan T'ao, which embodies Hsi K'ang's world feelings and impacts on the later generations. Zhong Hui's argument aroused the discussions of the later generations on Hsi K'ang's "ominous death". The irony and criticism on Hsi K'ang's "ominous death" in Jin Tang is mainly from the Confucians. The criticism on Hsi K'ang from metaphysics and literature is very vague, not a strict criticism.The third chapter discusses the literary phenomena of Hsi K'ang and the death literature of the Six Dynasties based on Xie Lingyun's explanatory notes on Hsi K'ang in the Last Poem. From studying on the smooth theme flow and the versions of appellations, the "Mr. Hsi" in Xie Lingyun's poems should be Hsi K'ang instead of Hsi Sh'ao. The persecution during the Six Dynasties is a huge impact on their spiritual world. Hsi K'ang's guqin playing before his death had a huge influence on death literature in the Six Dynasties. Guang Ling Verse is a master piece during the Six Dynasties. The prison life of Hsi K'ang produced the typical personage effect and gave people during the Six Dynasties the impression of sadness. Before his death, Hsi K'ang transcended his sad life while people of the Six Dynasties couldn't. After his death, Hsi K'ang was memorized by later generations.Hsi K'ang had a wide interest and was very talented. The acceptance by the later generation also involves many aspects. The fourth chapter tries to outline a clear and effective history of Hsi K'ang's acceptance from his vert feelings (silk tree, pine, bamboo, willow and peach tree). Hsi K'ang left unique aesthetic tastes for many vert to the later generations.Hsi K'ang can paint and write; in particular, his script is very good and enjoys a high evaluation of later generations. From the perspective of acceptance history, the later generations' record of Hsi K'ang's painting are very problematic. Chapter V finds that the painter of "the lion attacking the elephant" is possibly Zong Bing instead of Hsi K'ang. Hsi K'ang and his poems and articles are mostly found in his calligraphy and painting works. During the Six Dynasties, Hsi K'ang's painting is mainly An Interpertation of Hsi K'ang's Nineteen Poems Presented to Hsi Hsi on His Entry into the Army. Hsi K'ang's poems have been widely copied by the calligraphers. Hsi K'ang' paintings fully illustrate his unique style. Hsi K'ang 's image in paintings of Jin and Tang Dynasties are almost perfect: handsome, grace, proud and independent. The book entries of Hsi K'ang in Jin and Tang Dynasties can bring us enlightening awareness in Hsi K'ang's literary style.In this paper, the index of studies on Hsi K'ang from 1900 to 2008 at home and abroad is listed in the appendix.