张先
宋词写影大师
Zhang Xian(张先) (990–1078), styled Ziye(子野), was from Wucheng, Huzhou (present-day Huzhou, Zhejiang). He was a Northern Song dynasty poet, commonly known as 'Zhang Sanying(张三影),' and also called 'Zhang Anlu(张安陆)' because he once served as the official of Anlu. Zhang Xian came from a poor family, and little is known about his early years. In the eighth year of the Tiansheng era of Emperor Renzong (1030), he passed the imperial examinations, ranking on the same list as Ouyang Xiu, with Yan Shu as the chief examiner. Early in his career, Zhang served in various positions including clerk of Suzhou, magistrate of Wujiang, and judicial officer of Xiuzhou (present-day Jiaxing, Zhejiang). In the second year of the Huangyou era (1050), he was summoned by Yan Shu and appointed the assistant prefect of Yongxing Army (present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi). In the fifth year of Huangyou (1053), he went to the capital to receive a new assignment as the prefect of Yuzhou (present-day Chongqing). In the third year of Jiayou (1058), he was appointed prefect of Anzhou (present-day Anlu, Hubei), where he also established schools. The following year, Zhang Xian was reassigned as the prefect of Guozhou, but he did not take the post due to reaching the age of seventy. He ultimately retired with the title of Shangshu Duguan Langzhong. After retirement, Zhang Xian often wandered between Hangzhou and Huzhou, socializing and composing poems with famous figures like Cai Xiang, Chen Xiang, and Su Shi. Zhang Xian passed away in the first year of the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong (1078) at the age of 89, and was buried west of Duobao Temple on Bian Mountain in Huzhou. He is renowned for his ci poetry, ranking alongside Liu Yong. Zhang excelled at depicting shadows and images, earning the nickname 'Zhang Sanying' with famous lines like 'Clouds break, the moon comes, flowers cast shadows,' 'Curtains press down, rolling flower shadows,' and 'Fallen light cattail without a shadow.' His ci mostly depict romantic encounters and leisurely life, characterized by delicate elegance and skillful language. They combine the sophistication of Southern Tang poetry with the lushness of Huajian-style poetry, and are known as the 'Zhang Ziye style.' Zhang pioneered exchanging ci as gifts and responses, extensively applied prefaces and titles in his works, expanding the social and documentary function of ci. He also contributed to elevating its literary status, directly influencing Su Shi and others. Additionally, he played a role in the development of longer ci from shorter forms and in innovations in tonal patterns, making him one of the founders of the flourishing period of Song ci. He has a collection called 'Zhang Ziye Ci' in 2 volumes. His original collection of poems and essays, 100 volumes, has been lost, with only 'Anlu Ji' compiled in 1 volume surviving. He also left a painting called 'Ten Scenes' in the tradition of early Northern Song landscape style.