Tao Yuanming was one of the first in the tradition
of the Chinese recluse poets; HAN SHAN is another
notable example. Tao spent the early part of his life
as a government official after the collapse of the
Han dynasty. This tumultuous period in Chinese
history was marked by intermittent clan wars,
weak rulers, and political instability.As a result, the
life of many government officials at the time was
fraught with danger. Tao’s Confucian principles
made him loathe to support or serve a government
that was not equal to his ideals. These principles
conflicted with the only avenue that was available
to him for living a life of wealth and privilege. In
“The Return,” he says, “My instinct is all for freedom,
and will not brook discipline or restraint.
Hunger and cold may be sharp, but this going
against myself really sickens me.” Finally, at age 40,
Tao’s principles rose to the forefront, and he
abruptly resigned his government post, retiring
with his family to a farm in the Lu Mountains.
Tao Yuanming, whose name translates as “the
recluse Tao,” found true happiness after his retirement.
He wrote many pastoral poems extolling the
virtues of the simple life to be found on a farm.
While he and his family lived in poverty, Tao found
his life in the mountains to be much more rewarding
than his former career:“My home remains unsoiled
by worldly dust / Within bare rooms I have
my peace of mind.” (“Returning to the Farm to
Dwell,” ll. 17–18).
Tao Yuanming’s poems reflect his calmness and
the joy he found in moments of idleness.He wrote
often about honor, the ills of seeking money, and
the pleasures of observing nature and sharing
good wine with friends.His lyrics served as models
for many great poets, such as WEI ZHUANG, LI BAI,
and Tu Fu, who followed.
An English Version of Works by
Tao Yuanming
The Selected Poems of T’ao Ch’ien. Translated by
David Hinton. Port Townsend, Wash.: Copper
Canyon Press, 1993.
A Work about Tao Yuanming
Hightower, James R. and Florence Chia-Ying Yeh.
Studies in Chinese Poetry. Cambridge,Mass.: Harvard
University Press, 1998.