Li Qingzhao: Ci Lyrics of Imperial China

In imperial China, quzi ci poetry (or lyrics for songs , also known as ci) was a style of writing that was a departure from the rigid shi poems of earlier times. Love is featured as a most prominent theme in ci lyrics, and they were traditionally written from a female perspective. Li Qingzhao (1084-c.1151), considered by many the finest woman author of pre-modern China, is known for her achievements in composing ci, with a style that was unique, yet closely adhered to lyrical conventions. Through her lyrics, Li Qingzhao ushered in a new way of artistic expression, one that embraced a distinctly feminine space through an ingenious combination of music and words