Song Yu

Song Yu (宋玉, c. 290 – c. 223 BCE) was a Chinese poet of the late Warring States period. He is best known for his fu poems, a form of descriptive prose-poetry, which are celebrated for their elaborate language and detailed descriptions of scenery, particularly landscapes and women.

Often associated with Qu Yuan and referred to as his disciple, although the exact nature of their relationship is unclear, Song Yu is considered one of the most important figures in early Chinese literature and a major influence on the development of the fu genre.

Very little is known about Song Yu's life. He is believed to have been from the Chu state, and possibly a member of the royal family. He served briefly at the Chu court but was later dismissed, possibly due to political rivalries.

Among his attributed works are "Gao Tang Fu" (高唐賦, "Rhapsody on the Gao Tang Shrine"), "Shen Nü Fu" (神女賦, "Rhapsody on the Goddess"), "Deng Tu Zi Hao Se Fu" (登徒子好色賦, "Rhapsody on the Lecher Deng Tu"), and "Jiu Bian" (九辯, "Nine Arguments"). The authorship of some of these works, especially "Jiu Bian," is debated among scholars. "Deng Tu Zi Hao Se Fu" is particularly famous for the phrase "underneath the gaze of heaven and earth," (天地之間), which has become a common idiom in Chinese.

Song Yu's influence extends beyond his own writings. The term "Song Yu" itself has, over time, become a metonym for handsome men, particularly in literary contexts. His works are studied for their lyrical beauty, detailed descriptions, and significant contributions to the development of Chinese literature.