The poetry of Ruan Ji has been previously translated several times with one fully scholarly
translation of both the poetry and the Fu (poetic expositions). The present translation not
only provides a facing page critical Chinese text it addresses two problems that have been
ignored or not adequately treated in earlier works. First it traces the history of the current
text. The rather serious problems with this text will be if not soluble at least visible.
Second translations have been shaped by the anachronistic assumption that Ruan Ji was loyal to
the declining Wei dynasty when actual power had been taken by the Suma family who founded the
Jin dynasty after Ruan Ji's death. The introduction shows how and when that assumption took
full shape five centuries after Ruan Ji lived and why it is not tenable. This leads to a
different kind of translation closer to what a contemporary reader might have understood and
far less certain than referring it to some political event. The Poetry of Xi Kang presents a
complete scholarly translation of his poetic works (including Rhapsody on the Zither) alongside
the original texts. Many of Xi Kang's poems are difficult and most are laden with allusions and
quotations adding another level of challenge to interpretation. Basic explanatory notes are
provided. The translations are based on the critical modern edition of Xi Kang's work by Dai
Mingyang generally considered to be the best edition available. Important editions by Lu Xun
and Lu Qinli are consulted on matters of variants arrangement and interpretation.
