社甫の中の陶淵明

Abstract

How did Du Fu (712-770) see Tao Yuan-ming (365-427), one of the most excellent poets before the Tang Dynasty? Judging from references in Du Fu's poetry, he looked at Tao Yuan-ming and his contemporary Xie Ling-yun (385-433) in a positive way. He regarded Tao Yuan-ming as a representative poet, distinguished for his drinking and seclusion; this view did not change through his whole life. If we examine his favorable comments on Cao Zhi (192-232), who was a poet preceding Tao Yuan-ming, however, we will see that Du Fu's evaluation of Cao Zhi was exceptional, and almost close to extolment. Why is it that while considering Cao Zhi the greatest poet ever, Du Fu also gave Tao Yuan-ming a high evaluation? This is probably related to Du Fu's literary view. He thought that it was important not to rank past poetry and learn from what was ranked highest, but to take all outstanding works as models. Such a humble posture formed the basis of his evaluation of Tao Yuan-ming.