w birth, and Buddhism began to capture the Chinese imagination.In the arts and litterature, the most renowned achievements of China's early imperial age were in historiography, poetry and Buddhist inspired statuary and paintings (Hucker 221). China developed well orgainzed and detailed accounts in history to which no other society can match over such a long period of time. Poetry became the persuit and passion of most educated Chinese. Much of the poetry of the time was a reflection of inovations in music and the performing arts, as well as other changes that were ongoing in China's cultural development. Cultural changes were reflected in paintings and other forms of art such as pottery. Chinese culture was to be of the envy of much of the surrounding areas, and was emulated by Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Of all of these cultural inovations poetry was the most prevalent, as it was persude by most educated Chinese, and it reflected the feelings of the day, that of simplicity, often influenced by renewed study of Taoism. One particual poem that I came across in my reading was titled "Resolutions on Walking with a Hangover on a Spring Morning"The world is like a great empty dreamWhy should one toil away all one's life?That is why I spend my days drinking,Sprawled in a doze beside the front door.Awaking, I blink at the courtyard before me.A bird is singing among the flowers."May I inquire, what season is this?"It's an oriole warbling in the springtime breeze!I am almost moved to sighs and sobs, But I pour for myself another drink.Lustily singing, I await the bright moon,And by the end of the song I've forgotten my cares.(Hucker pg 249)This poem seems to indicate the carefree nature that many Chinese poets and thinker were able to take during these times. It also seems to reflect a renewed interest in Taoism and nature. The Early Empire, was indeed a time of great cultural growth in China. Philosophers were able to contimplate much more than ...
