Research on Lei Jin's Compilation of Notes on Courtesan Poetry

Abstract

The three volumes Notes on Women Poets (Guixiu Shihua), Notes on Women Lyricists (Guixiu Cihua), and Notes on Courtesan Poetry (Qinglou Shihua), compiled in 1915 and published in 1916 by the renowned modern journalists Lei Jin and Lei Jian, contain significant areas for further exploration that have yet to be adequately addressed by prior research. Among these, Notes on Courtesan Poetry, most likely compiled solely by Lei Jin and differing substantially in compilation approach from the other two volumes, offers a valuable lens into Lei Jin's aesthetic preferences and the social contradictions of his era amidst a period of profound transformation. An analysis of Notes on Courtesan Poetry provides insight into Lei Jin’s criteria for selecting works by courtesan poets, reflecting broader shifts in literary and cultural attitudes during the late Qing and early Republican period. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the evolving literary perspectives of modern Chinese journalists during this transitional era.