Liu Kezhuang

Liu Kezhuang (Wade-Giles: Liu K'o-chuang, 劉克莊, 1187–1269), was a Song Dynasty Chinese poet and literary critic.

He is credited with selecting the first version of the anthology "Poems by a Thousand Masters" (sometimes also known in English as "Poems of the Masters"). In later versions of the anthology, two of his poems are included.

Liu is considered the most important member of the "Rivers and Lakes" group of poets. This group of poets favored subjects from everyday life, and rejected the refined language and courtly themes of the Kangxi school.

During his life, Liu occupied several low-level posts in the administration; it appears that his use of poetry for social criticism got in the way of his advancement.

References

Poems of the Masters, translated by Red Pine, Copper Canyon Press, 2003

The Columbia History of Chinese Literature, by Victor H. Mair, Columbia University Press, 2001