Buddhist Dancers

In " A Heavenly Woman's Imprisoned in the Palace ",

Li Yu, a famous Chinese poet, and the last ruler,

of the Southern Tang Kingdom ---
writes,


As a heavenly woman's imprisoned

in the palace at Penglai Hill


All are silent as she sleeps by day in the painted hall.


And as her hair is spread

like jade clouds ...

upon a pillow


Her embroidered clothes bear ...

nothing but a wondrous scent.


So as I secretly

come

and slide through a pearl lock gate ...


From behind a silver screen,

she is startled from a dream.


But now

her smiling face is overflowing with bliss.


So

we gaze at each other

with unbridled love.



Sexually repressed perhaps, ---

Socially aware for sure


Li Yu, also known as Li Houzhu, was born during the Southern Tang. As a son of the reigning emperor, he ascended to the throne upon his father's death in 961 A.D.


In retrospect however, Li Yu's life proved to be a tumultuous one.


In 975, Song Dynasty armies invaded and Li Yu and his family were taken hostage where they were held at present-day Kaifeng.


As an aristocrat, Li Yu's new life must have been a dramatic change.


The Southern Tang, Li Yu's Dynasty of origin was both large and rich.


As it was founded by Li Bian, the grandfather of Li Yu, the family's rise to power was quite astonishing.

As an orphan Li Bian was adopted by the Wu Prince Yang Xingmi. He was then adopted by Xu Wen the prime minister of Wu. Upon Xu Wen's death he was made prince of Qi and proclaimed himself emperor.


In 940 he changed the name of the state to "Tang".


Just a few years thereafter, he incorporated the Kingdom of Min, and established its own capital in Nanjing.


Considering the family's impressive rise to power and its rapid growth, it is perhaps not surprising that some of Li Yu's most emotionally charged works were produced after he was deposed from his position and place.


In an age,

in which several kingdoms

were attempting to become the dominant force of the day,

it might also be right to say

that Li Yu fell

from what might be called

a lofty

eminent perch.

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