Analysis of "观公孙大娘弟子舞剑器行" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

This poem, 观公孙大娘弟子舞剑器行 (Watching the Disciple of Lady Gongsun Perform the Sword Dance), was written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu (杜甫, 712–770), one of China's greatest literary figures. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty, art, and time, inspired by a mesmerizing sword dance performance.

Du Fu witnessed the disciple of the legendary dancer Gong Sun Da Niang (公孙大娘) perform the Jianqi (剑器) sword dance, a martial art-inspired performance popular in the Tang Dynasty. The poem blends vivid imagery with deep nostalgia, lamenting the decline of artistic brilliance after the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763).

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text & Translation

昔有佳人公孙氏，一舞剑器动四方。
Xī yǒu jiārén Gōngsūn shì, yī wǔ jiànqì dòng sìfāng.
In the past, there was a beauty, Lady Gongsun, whose sword dance amazed all within the four directions.

观者如山色沮丧，天地为之久低昂。
Guān zhě rú shān sè jǔsàng, tiāndì wèi zhī jiǔ dī áng.
Spectators crowded like mountains, their faces awestruck; Heaven and Earth trembled long in rhythm with her.

霍如羿射九日落，矫如群帝骖龙翔。
Huò rú Yì shè jiǔ rì luò, jiǎo rú qún dì cān lóng xiáng.
Swift as the archer Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful as gods astride dragons soaring.

来如雷霆收震怒，罢如江海凝清光。
Lái rú léitíng shōu zhènnù, bà rú jiānghǎi níng qīng guāng.
She came like thunder gathering its wrath, she ended like rivers and seas calming into clear light.

绛唇珠袖两寂寞，晚有弟子传芬芳。
Jiàng chún zhū xiù liǎng jìmò, wǎn yǒu dìzǐ chuán fēnfāng.
Her red lips and pearl sleeves are now silent, but late in time, her disciple carries on the fragrance.

临颍美人在白帝，妙舞此曲神扬扬。
Lín Yǐng měirén zài Báidì, miào wǔ cǐ qǔ shén yángyáng.
Now in Linying, a beauty dances at Baidi, her divine movements full of spirit.

与余问答既有以，感时抚事增惋伤。
Yǔ yú wèndá jì yǒu yǐ, gǎn shí fǔ shì zēng wǎnshāng.
She answers my questions with reason, but recalling the past only deepens my sorrow.

先帝侍女八千人，公孙剑器初第一。
Xiāndì shìnǚ bāqiān rén, Gōngsūn jiànqì chū dì yī.
The late emperor had eight thousand maids, but Gongsun’s sword dance was unmatched.

五十年间似反掌，风尘澒洞昏王室。
Wǔshí nián jiān sì fǎn zhǎng, fēngchén hòngdòng hūn wángshì.
Fifty years pass like a turned palm—chaos and dust have darkened the royal house.

梨园弟子散如烟，女乐余姿映寒日。
Líyuán dìzǐ sàn rú yān, nǚ yuè yú zī yìng hán rì.
The Pear Garden performers scattered like smoke; only remnants of their art linger in the cold sun.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. Opening Praise of Lady Gongsun
   - Du Fu begins by recalling the legendary dancer, whose skill was so extraordinary it "amazed all within the four directions." The hyperbole emphasizes her unmatched artistry.

2. Impact on the Audience
   - The spectators are so moved that even Heaven and Earth seem to sway with her movements. This reflects the Daoist idea of harmony between human art and the cosmos.

3. Similes of Divine Power
   - The comparison to Yi the Archer (a mythical hero who shot down excess suns) and gods riding dragons elevates the dance to a celestial level.

4. Contrast of Motion & Stillness
   - The dance begins with thunderous energy but ends in serene calm, mirroring the balance of yin and yang.

5. Nostalgia & Legacy
   - Du Fu contrasts the lost glory of Lady Gongsun with her disciple’s performance, symbolizing the fragile transmission of culture.

6. Lament for the Tang Dynasty’s Decline
   - The "fifty years" reference marks the fall of the Tang’s golden age after the An Lushan Rebellion. The "Pear Garden" (royal academy) once thrived but is now a memory.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience of Art & Time: The poem mourns how even the greatest beauty fades, yet art persists in fragments.
• Martial Elegance: The sword dance symbolizes both warrior spirit (wu) and artistic grace (wen), key ideals in Tang culture.
• Political Allegory: The decline of dance parallels the Tang Dynasty’s collapse, reflecting Du Fu’s sorrow over national turmoil.

Cultural Context

• Sword Dance (剑器舞): A Tang-era performance blending martial arts and dance, often performed by women.
• Du Fu’s Realism: Unlike his contemporary Li Bai’s romanticism, Du Fu’s works often reflect historical tragedy.
• Post-Rebellion Melancholy: The An Lushan Rebellion (755–763) devastated China, and Du Fu’s later poems frequently lament this loss.

Conclusion

观公孙大娘弟子舞剑器行 is a masterpiece of cultural memory and artistic homage. Through breathtaking imagery, Du Fu captures the ephemeral nature of human achievement while honoring the resilience of tradition. For modern readers, the poem serves as a reminder to cherish beauty amid chaos—a timeless lesson from Tang Dynasty China.

Final Thought: In an age where performances vanish like smoke, Du Fu’s words ensure that Lady Gongsun’s dance lives on, immortalized in ink.

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