Outlaws of the Marsh
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Posted:Feb 23, 2016 10:19 pm
Last Updated:Mar 13, 2016 2:00 pm 1509012 Views
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Well, I finally finished the classic "Outlaws of the Marsh," (Sometimes called "Water Margin") 2141 pages in four volumes. It took a while since I am busy with other things too. Written by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong in the fourteenth century. Translated by Sidney Shapiro from Foreign Language Press in Beijing.
This is a very easy read, quite unlike the last Chinese classic I read, "Dream of Red Mansions."
"Outlaws of the Marsh" is kind of like the old Hong Kong style kung fu movies of the 1970's; nearly constant martial action, huge battles, intrigue and all kinds of wild stuff. It is set in the Song Dynasty of the early 1100s. The basics of the story is that a bunch of stalwart fellows, ex-officials or just plain bandits, get wronged in one way or another by corrupt officials, flee, all ending up at a mountain fortress surrounded by an impenetrable marsh. Over time they gather strength, and the government try's to get rid of them but can't. But, their leader is still loyal to the Emperor and hopes for amnesty.
The story is roughly based on actual events and legends, handed down, and finally put to writing by the above authors.
While it is quite long, it's a great story, and truly a classic.
Next up, "Journey to the West."
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And yet another reason for War
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Posted:Nov 22, 2015 8:24 am
Last Updated:Jul 6, 2018 7:15 am 1644859 Views
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The recent Paris events prompted me to write this:
Yet another reason for War
The atrocity and fear we live by
Our leaders want to decry
Yet our acts tend to multiply
Yet another reason for war.
Armed to bomb and kill
Rhetoric sounds fine and shrill
Deep we want to kill and will
Find yet another reason for war.
I cannot fathom the commonplace
Brutes that battle for time and space
Engaging our hearts to retrace
Yet another reason for war.
Religions that demand our obeisance
Consign us to acts of disgrace and hence
Rend our bodies to their savior
Demanding yet another reason for war.
Shall I find Peace through death?
Asks a mutilated ’s last breath.
When finally enough are dead
When mourning displaces anger
When the war machine becomes surfeit
When the hunger for death has long been fed
When we realize again peace can no longer wait
It shall never be too late
To demand the end
To yet another reason for war.
- or more simply,
WAR! What is it good for?
Absolutely nothin’!
Come on y’all. (Edwin Starr)
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Dreams of Lhasa
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Posted:Nov 1, 2015 8:09 am
Last Updated:Nov 11, 2015 1:10 pm 1551720 Views
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One of my life long dreams is to visit Lhasa, Tibet and see the Potola. This started long ago when I read a series of (semi?) fictional books by author T. Lobsang Rampa (actually Cyril Henry Hoskin), such as "The Third Eye", "Cave of the Ancients" etc. This was in the early 1970's when eastern spiritualism became popular in the US among young people. Aside from these I did read actual works of Asian spiritual teachings. But, the idea of visiting the home of Tibetan Buddhism has never left me. It looks like next summer I might actually be able to make this trip. I am starting my planning now. I'll go by train, Beijing to Lhasa, which, from my perspective, is the only way to really do it right.
Anyone been there or offer any insights?
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Women Poets of China's past
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Posted:Sep 3, 2014 9:04 pm
Last Updated:Nov 8, 2014 8:59 am 1561705 Views
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I will let you know first that if you are somewhat prudish, you should not finish reading this, but go back to the blog page and find something else.
Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was deeply involved with poetry all of his life. He taught himself several languages, helped make the Beat poets popular, and found and translated ancient Chinese woman's poems in his book "Women Poets of China". Most are very nice. But he has included poetry from ancient courtesans, palace women, and Taoist priestesses. Some of these are very suggestive and perhaps erotic. Here is a sample of one such by Huang O (1498-1569).
A Farewell to a Southern Melody
The day will come when I will
Share once more the quilts
And pillows I am storing
Away. Once more I will shyly
Let you undress me and gently
Unlock my sealed jewel.
I can never describe the
Ten thousand beautiful sensual
Ways we make love.
-Huang O
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Chinese Literature - 中国文学
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Posted:Aug 14, 2014 6:15 am
Last Updated:Dec 20, 2014 1:49 pm 1560008 Views
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Mary1407 and I have talked about doing a blog here about Chinese authors. We decided to start with "A Dream of Red Mansions". This has also been called "A Dream of Red Chamber" of "The Story of the Stone". 这就是所谓的中国语言，石头记，或 石頭記. Writen by Cao Zhan (曹霑) during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. It is one of the four great classical novels of China.
Briefly, the story centers around a family into which a is born with a piece of jade stone in his mouth. The stone had been placed there, and imbued with sentience though the efforts of two sages, a Taoist and Buddhist immortal. It's been a while since I've read the first part of the story, so please feel free to correct this interpretation.
According to the author, it is written in a colloquial style for easy reading. Western readers may have trouble at first with all the Chinese names of the people involved in the story. There are huge number of characters who come and go throughout the tale. The three book version I purchased did come with a family tree diagram. While this helped, there are still a daunting number of names to remember.
In particular, the story is about the daily life of the young hero of the story, a somewhat wild and emotional lad, and in general about the rise and fall of his family, and Chinese culture at that time.
How many have read it? What do you think? Please feel free to correct my synopsis above.
Below I have posted a Google translation. I've also asked Chinese language speakers to feel free to post in Chinese language, because it is very easy to paste that into Google translate to see what they are saying. Anyway, we'll see how it goes.
Google translation:
Mary1407和我刚才讲了在这里做一个关于博客中国作者。我们决定开始与“红楼梦”。这也被称为“梦红楼”的“石头的故事”。这就是所谓的中国语言，石头记，或石头记。清代在18世纪Writen曹湛（曹沾）。它是中国四大古典小说之一。
简单地说，围绕一个家庭的故事为中心，其中一个儿子出生了一块翡翠原石，在他的嘴里。石头已经摆在那里，而且充满了知觉，虽然两个圣人，道教和佛教神仙的努力。它已经有一段时间，因为我读过这个故事的前半部分，所以请随时纠正这种解释。
据笔者，这是写在一个口语化的风格，为方便阅读。西方读者可能会遇到麻烦，在第一次与参与故事的人所有的中国人的名字。还有谁来去整个故事的字符数量巨大。我购买三本书的版本都配备了家谱图。虽然这有帮助，还是有名字记住了一项艰巨的数量。
特别是，故事讲的是故事，有点狂野和情感的小伙子，年轻英雄的日常生活和一般在当时的兴衰他的家人，和中国文化。
有多少人看过？你有什么感想？请随时纠正上述我国梗概。
请随意张贴在中国的语言。任何人都可以使用谷歌翻译，看你说什么。
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Forest - 森林
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Posted:Jul 23, 2014 7:44 am
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2014 4:33 pm 1560133 Views
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Haven't posted in a while, so busy with school.
It's mid summer. Remember to get out and take a walk in a forest or wilderness area. Enjoy your life.
Forest
Into a quiet forest
Winds the faintest breeze
Picking up small down blossoms
Floating them into a ray of sun
Amidst a dewed meadow
A carpet of wild fern glistens
Reflecting light into faint rainbows
On a quiescent, verdant path
By an upland pond
It's surface cool, reflective
As the mists of morning drift off
A mottled golden carp
Pauses near the surface
Hold these thoughts
For a moment then
Till love whispers softly,
For it is here
That time catches itself
Lingers awhile
And life
Sings anew.
by - Bob56, Glendale, California, May 1990.
This is a google translation into Chinese. I did cross check for meaning and it seemed close enough. I have no real idea how it will come across in Chinese. Any comments or alternate translations appreciated. 
森林
到一个安静的森林
风微弱的微风
拿起小下来花
飘成太阳的射线
坐落在一个结露水的草地
野生蕨菜辉耀地毯
反射光线到淡淡的彩虹
在静态，青翠的路径
由高地池塘
它的表面凉爽，反光
由于早晨的雾气飘散开
斑驳的金色鲤鱼
表面附近的停顿
持有这些想法
有那么一会儿，然后
直到爱轻声细语，
因为它是这里
那个时候抓住自己
徘徊一段时间
与生活
重新唱
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Valentines Poem
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Posted:Feb 14, 2014 12:22 pm
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2014 8:39 am 1561732 Views
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Happy Valentines Day everyone. Appropriately, I'm studying for a test on the anatomy and phisiology of the heart today.
I tried using Google to translate this but it came out sort of kinky, with one line "a love of leather". Hilarious, but not quite right.
My poetic entry for today:
Moments
There is love that reaches
There is love that hides
There is love that teaches
There is love that bides
There are moments of love sundered
There are moments of love lost
There are moments that love hungers
There are moments that love costs
In time the sea will rush back
To kiss the grainy shore
In time shall love return
To open wide life's door
In moments will lovers cry
In moments of sorrows din
In moments of clouded sky
In moments love comes again.
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Another poem
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Posted:Jan 29, 2014 3:30 pm
Last Updated:Jul 30, 2014 10:17 pm 1562411 Views
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Trying to translate poetry without really knowing a language is perhaps almost foolish. But, I gave it a try. I'm using Google and nicku.com. But here is what Google gave me for this line:
“In the highlands, in a wold of fern and flower”
在高原，在蕨类植物和花卉的战术核武器
which seems to mean:
“In the highlands, ferns and flowers in tactical nuclear weapons.”
Ok, so that is hilarious. If I was doing a comic satire version, I might go with that.
Also the word calling, to call, to be called, receive a calling from... etc. has a lot of different definitions. Usually google was giving me things related to phones, I suppose since personal cell phones are now the most popular gadget ever. But, not what I wanted. Anyway, I hope the translation makes some sense.
THE CALLING
Winds rush turbulent through a dark night
Behind wisps of cloud, a chance of stars light.
High above a mute shadowed earth
In a maelstrom of long enduring desire,
Dreams mingle and entwine.
Faraway on a high plateau
Oft chances well up
And come calling.
Guided through a narrow passage,
Riven from darkest onyx
Wild rapids widen to a calm,
Alone, drifting on an unsure current
Chasing faint traces, vague, familiar
Emotive pressures kindle awareness,
Things only sensed quicken, then disperse.
Thoughts from long ago linger,
Like nothing, lasting through time.
Is it remembrance or destiny?
That comes calling.
In the highlands, in a wold of fern and flower
Glints of green, yellow and blue,
From a distance,
Form a patina of faint azure.
Lying back, sinking below a mosaic sea of color,
Viewing life stained by sun in wild harmony
Quiet breezes create a gentle susurrus
Drowning the hypnotic pulse of time.
Moments cascade forward forming
A yearning restless dream
Eternity passes chaotic
Empty of all devotion
Awaiting only the instant
Of your calling.
风匆匆穿过汹涌的黑夜
云极小的背后，分可能性点亮。
高高在上静音地球阴影
在长期持久的欲望漩涡，
梦想交融和纠缠。
遥远的高原
往往一个机会将到达
调用你
通过一个狭窄的通道引导，
从最黑暗的缟玛瑙四分五裂
野生急流扩大到平静，
孤独，漂泊在一个不确定的电流
追淡淡的痕迹，模糊的，熟悉的
情绪压力点燃意识，
事情只有感觉到加快，然后散去。
从很久以前的想法挥之不去，
像什么，通过持续的时间。
难道是记忆还是命运？
自带调用。
在高原，在蕨类植物和花卉
绿色，黄色和蓝色闪闪发光，
从远处看，
形成淡淡的天蓝色的铜锈。
仰面躺着，下面那颗颜色的
查看生命阳光野生和谐染色
安静的海风创建一个温柔
溺水时间的催眠脉冲。
瞬间向前级联形成
一种思念不安分的梦想
永恒传递混乱
清空所有献身
只是等待的瞬间
当调用
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Awake - 苏醒
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Posted:Jan 20, 2014 10:42 am
Last Updated:May 25, 2014 8:21 pm 1560797 Views
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I've noticed that others from Asia actually use this site as a social media site. Perhaps because Facebook is not in China. QQ seems to do it for some people, but I haven't learned how to use it too well yet.
Here is a poetic entry then, just for the sharing. I think the translation is fairly close. MOre to follow if anyone is interested.
苏醒
蝴蝶下车
美丽的翅膀闪烁辉煌
片刻，然后消失了。
清澈的海水翻滚
O'er岩石和石头
从去年的雪融化。
绿色的森林耳语
和范围的视线
高高在上夜莺歌唱。
颤抖的灵魂苏醒
喜悦又来了
飞终于自由了。
AWAKE
Butterflies alight
Beautiful wings flash brilliant
A moment, then gone.
Clear water tumbles
O'er rock and stone
From snows last melting.
Green forests whisper
and range out of sight
High above a nightingale sings.
Tremulous spirit awakes
Joy has come again
To fly free at last.
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Learning Chinese Language
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Posted:Aug 11, 2013 9:10 am
Last Updated:Feb 26, 2014 7:31 am 1563158 Views
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Sometimes I feel I'm fooling myself. Can I really learn Chinese language? I am using the Pimsuleur CD's, which seem very good. I have started and stopped and started again many times. Now I'm determined!
I do wish they had a PDF of the lessons included, this would be so easy and helpful. So I've made my own. Unfortunately there are very few Chinese speakers in the area I live in. My first goal is to get to Lesson 30, at which point Pimsleur states I'll be able to carry on a basic conversation. Really? We'll see.
Then there is the writing! OMG! I will say it is fun learning to write the characters, but can I memorize a few thousand? Seems really daunting. But I'm sticking with it for now. I decided that watching hundreds of movies on Netflix is entertaining, but I'm not learning much, even though I try to watch a lot of Chinese language films.
One of my favorite Mandarin language romantic movies is Springtime in a Small Town.
But some of the best Chinese movies are in Cantonese (Guangdonghua). I'm a big fan of Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng and others. I doubt I will never learn Cantonese even though I have lived with Cantonese speakers, so can catch a few words. I love it in Hong Kong movies where they mix up English and Cantonese. Too many to mention them all, but Infernal Affairs was great.
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