Zhou Bangyan facts for kids

Zhou Bangyan (Chinese: 周邦彥; 1056–1121) was a famous Chinese poet and government official during the Northern Song Dynasty. He was known for his beautiful ci poems. Zhou Bangyan came from Qiantang, which is now part of modern Hangzhou. His courtesy name was Meicheng (Chinese: 美成; pinyin: Měichéng), and his art name was Qingzhen Jushi (Chinese: 清真居士; traditional Chinese: 清真居士; pinyin: Qīngzhēn Jūshì). He wrote a collection of poems called Qingzhen-ji or Pianyu-ci.

Who Was Zhou Bangyan?

Early Life and Education

Zhou Bangyan was born in 1056. He grew up in Qiantang, which is in Zhejiang Province today. When he was 23, Zhou moved to the capital city, Bianliang. There, he studied at the National Academy, a top school for smart students.

How Zhou Bangyan Started His Career

In 1083, Zhou Bangyan wrote a long poem called "Rhapsody on the capital" (汴都賦 Biandu fu). This poem described the busy life in Bianliang. It also praised the great things the Song dynasty had achieved. Emperor Shenzong was very impressed by the poem. Because of this, Zhou was given a job as a Supervisor at the National Academy.

Zhou Bangyan's Government Jobs

In 1087, when he was 31, Zhou Bangyan moved to Lu Prefecture in Anhui. He worked there as a teacher. He spent ten years working in different provinces. Most of this time, he was a Sub-prefect in Lishui County in Jiangsu.

Later, in 1097, Emperor Zhezong called him back to the capital. Zhou became the Registrar of the National Academy. Both Emperor Zhezong and the next emperor, Emperor Huizong, liked his work. He continued to get promoted in the government.

In 1112, he left the capital again to work as a Prefect in other cities. He served in Longde-fu (near modern Changzhi) and Mingzhou. He returned to the capital in 1116. His highest job was Director of the Palace Library.

When Did Zhou Bangyan Die?

In 1118, Zhou Bangyan was sent to another prefectural job. After moving a few more times, he passed away in Nanjing (now Shangqiu) in 1121. He was 66 years old.

Zhou Bangyan's Famous Works

Zhou Bangyan is best known for writing ci poems. This type of poetry started in the Tang era and became very popular during the Song Dynasty. His poems are known for being complex and elegant. People have described his style as "simple and honest, and elegant."

His collection of poems is found in two books. They are called the Qingzhen-ji (清真集) or the Pianyu-ci (片玉詞).

Zhou was also a talented musician. He worked closely with the imperial Music Bureau, which managed court music. He was good at playing music and even wrote music for many of his own poems.