Tao Yuanming

 

Tao Yuanming (陶淵明 365–427 A.D ) also known as Tao Qian (陶潜 ) born in modern Jiujiang, Jiangxi, was one of the most influential pre-Tang Dynasty Chinese poets.

He came from an aristocratic family which had descended into poverty.  His great-grandfather was the famous Eastern Jin general and governor, Tao Kan. Tao Yuanming served in a series of minor posts.  He became disgusted and disillusioned at the prevalent corruption and infighting of the Jin Court. Not willing to compromise on his principles in order to make a living as a court official, he resigned.  This was expressed in his famous remark that he would not "bend his back in return for five bushels of grain" ("為五斗米折腰"). Five bushels of grain' refers to the salary of a low-ranking official.   The Chinese phrase was subsequently used to mean "swallowing one's pride in exchange for a meagre existence"

Upon retirement, he led a simple life of a farmer and composed many poems and essays which depict an idyllic pastoral life of farming and drinking.  His poems were much appreciated by Poets of the Tang and Song Dynasties for its measured simplicity, its lack of adornment, and for its conscious use of common words.

His prose, Peach Blossom Spring(桃花源記) which depicted a sort of utopian land hidden from the outside world was also very well known. 

Tao Yuanming was also famous for his love of chrysanthemum.  Scene depicting him admiring the chrysanthemum could be found on chinese ceramics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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