Composition and Dissemination

The author wrote the play Mumei Meng (Dream of Plum) on August 12th of the third year of the Daoguang era, praising the love between scholar Zhang Ruoshui and courtesan Mei Xiaoyu. Later, at the suggestion of others, he wrote this novel reflecting life in ancient theater circles based on his familiarity with actors' lives. The book centers around the interactions, mutual desires, and pleasure-seeking lives of scholars and male actors, earning it the title "Encyclopedia of Homosexuality." However, its explicit sexual content has also led to repeated criticism and bans. Different accounts exist regarding the writing period of the novel. According to Yang Maojian in his book Menghua Suo Bu, it was written between 1837 and 1849, with thirty chapters completed by 1837, followed by another thirty chapters twelve years later. This account is supported by scholars such as Lu Xun (A Brief History of Chinese Fiction), Zhao Jingshen (An Examination of Pinhua Baojian), and Zhang Jun (A History of Qing Dynasty Novels). However, Zhou Shaoliang disputed this timeline, suggesting the book was written between 1825 and 1835. The earliest edition was published in the Daoguang Jiyou year (1849), with many subsequent reprints.

Content

「Flowers」refer to male actors, also known as "xianggong," who were often treated as playthings by wealthy families. In the opening chapter, the author writes: "The prosperity of theater in the capital is unparalleled. Amidst the heavens and earth, there are stages everywhere; among the masses, people frequently indulge in pleasure and evaluate beauty. It truly describes an endless flourishing scene and countless emotional states. What I hear and see are all within reason, and everyone is driven by their emotions. Thus, with a playful pen, I depict playful people. Among these playful people, the most difficult to find are a few gentlemen who value affection and propriety, and a few actors who maintain their integrity, truly embodying the saying from The Book of Songs: 'Loves beauty but not promiscuously.' First, I categorize the sons of officials into ten types, all driven by one emotion." The story follows Mei Ziyu, from an official family, and his love for the beautiful male actor Du Qinyan. They treat each other as equals, with Mei valuing fame and eventually becoming a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. Du maintains his integrity despite being sold into theater and resisting several times through threats of suicide, reflecting the author's ideals. The novel also features the story of scholar Tian Chunhang, who meets Su Huifang by chance and is inspired to study hard, ultimately passing the imperial exams and marrying a noblewoman who looks remarkably like Su. Negative characters such as Xi Shiyi and Pan San are also included.

Style

The novel often uses stereotypical descriptions of physical appearances. For example, when describing the handsome male actor Su Huifang, the author writes: "Chunhang saw a breathtakingly beautiful xianggong, and a bright light seemed to emanate from the carriage, enveloping his eyes, dispelling all anger. The xianggong had an appearance like ice and jade, exuding elegance and fragrance. He resembled the moon and pear blossoms in white attire; his heart was as pure as orchids, and his body emitted a fresh scent." In contrast, the wealthy Pan Qiguan is described with derogatory language: "He had a short stature, a dark round face, and a mouth full of bristly yellow hairs. He was about forty years old, with a prominent belly and sunken buttocks, vulgar and smelly. Wearing blue silk clothing, he donned a fur-lined cap with a small sable tail, and wore blue silk socks and gray shoes. A short tobacco pipe hung from his chest, revealing half of a green leather tobacco pouch. His eyes were pale yellow, filled with red veins, and he spoke in a low, humble tone, putting on many modest airs." The novel includes more psychological descriptions than earlier works, influenced by the use of monologues or solos in theatrical arts to express characters' thoughts. For example, it describes Wei Pingcai's inner conflict when he plots against Du Qinyan: "He thought again: With his strange temperament, Lord Hua might not know now, but if they spend more time together, he will surely grow tired of him. Let me bring him in and make him suffer for two years; then I can vent my anger. He made up his mind and continued to say..." The novel also includes some abstract characters and extensive sections on drinking games and academic discussions.

Bans

To stabilize their rule and control culture, the Qing Dynasty rulers listed various banned books. Among these were six major prohibited works, one of which was Pinhua Baojian. The six banned books are: Zaihua Chuan, Shenlou Zhi, Pinhua Baojiang, Nao Huacun, Zhulin Yeshi, and Luye Xianzong.

Criticism

Pinhua Baojian did not break away from the model of Ming and Qing dynasty romance novels. Lu Xun once commented: "Books depicting romantic relationships have been numerous in the past, and thus it could not escape old patterns. Even so-called high-quality works, such as characters like Mei Ziyu and Du Qinyan, are merely actors as beauties and scholars as talented men, filled with tender words." However, it also opened the way for modern erotic novels. Hu Shi commented: "Shallow people see its depiction of male love and call it a pornographic book; they do not realize that the historical value of this book lies in its portrayal of male love without considering it shameful."

References

• 品花寶鑒 (Chinese)

Source: '''Pinhua Baojian''', also known as '''The History of Amorous Tales''' or '''The Treasure Mirror of Flowers''', is a long novel written by Chen Sen during the Qing Dynasty. The novel consists of 60 chapters. Chen Sen was from Changzhou and struggled with the imperial examinations for many years, eventually giving up on them after turning forty. While living in Beijing, he often interacted with actors, which provided him with material for his future works. ==Composition and Dissemination== The author wrote the play Mumei Meng (Dream of Plum) on August 12th of the third year of the Daoguang era, praising the love between scholar Zhang Ruoshui and courtesan Mei Xiaoyu. Later, at the suggestion of others, he wrote this novel reflecting life in ancient theater circles based on his familiarity with actors' lives. The book centers around the interactions, mutual desires, and pleasure-seeking lives of scholars and male actors, earning it the title "Encyclopedia of Homosexuality." However, its explicit sexual content has also led to repeated criticism and bans. Different accounts exist regarding the writing period of the novel. According to Yang Maojian in his book Menghua Suo Bu, it was written between 1837 and 1849, with thirty chapters completed by 1837, followed by another thirty chapters twelve years later. This account is supported by scholars such as Lu Xun (A Brief History of Chinese Fiction), Zhao Jingshen (An Examination of Pinhua Baojian), and Zhang Jun (A History of Qing Dynasty Novels). However, Zhou Shaoliang disputed this timeline, suggesting the book was written between 1825 and 1835. The earliest edition was published in the Daoguang Jiyou year (1849), with many subsequent reprints. ==Content== 「Flowers」refer to male actors, also known as "xianggong," who were often treated as playthings by wealthy families. In the opening chapter, the author writes: "The prosperity of theater in the capital is unparalleled. Amidst the heavens and earth, there are stages everywhere; among the masses, people frequently indulge in pleasure and evaluate beauty. It truly describes an endless flourishing scene and countless emotional states. What I hear and see are all within reason, and everyone is driven by their emotions. Thus, with a playful pen, I depict playful people. Among these playful people, the most difficult to find are a few gentlemen who value affection and propriety, and a few actors who maintain their integrity, truly embodying the saying from The Book of Songs: 'Loves beauty but not promiscuously.' First, I categorize the sons of officials into ten types, all driven by one emotion." The story follows Mei Ziyu, from an official family, and his love for the beautiful male actor Du Qinyan. They treat each other as equals, with Mei valuing fame and eventually becoming a scholar in the Hanlin Academy. Du maintains his integrity despite being sold into theater and resisting several times through threats of suicide, reflecting the author's ideals. The novel also features the story of scholar Tian Chunhang, who meets Su Huifang by chance and is inspired to study hard, ultimately passing the imperial exams and marrying a noblewoman who looks remarkably like Su. Negative characters such as Xi Shiyi and Pan San are also included. ==Style== The novel often uses stereotypical descriptions of physical appearances. For example, when describing the handsome male actor Su Huifang, the author writes: "Chunhang saw a breathtakingly beautiful xianggong, and a bright light seemed to emanate from the carriage, enveloping his eyes, dispelling all anger. The xianggong had an appearance like ice and jade, exuding elegance and fragrance. He resembled the moon and pear blossoms in white attire; his heart was as pure as orchids, and his body emitted a fresh scent." In contrast, the wealthy Pan Qiguan is described with derogatory language: "He had a short stature, a dark round face, and a mouth full of bristly yellow hairs. He was about forty years old, with a prominent belly and sunken buttocks, vulgar and smelly. Wearing blue silk clothing, he donned a fur-lined cap with a small sable tail, and wore blue silk socks and gray shoes. A short tobacco pipe hung from his chest, revealing half of a green leather tobacco pouch. His eyes were pale yellow, filled with red veins, and he spoke in a low, humble tone, putting on many modest airs." The novel includes more psychological descriptions than earlier works, influenced by the use of monologues or solos in theatrical arts to express characters' thoughts. For example, it describes Wei Pingcai's inner conflict when he plots against Du Qinyan: "He thought again: With his strange temperament, Lord Hua might not know now, but if they spend more time together, he will surely grow tired of him. Let me bring him in and make him suffer for two years; then I can vent my anger. He made up his mind and continued to say..." The novel also includes some abstract characters and extensive sections on drinking games and academic discussions. ==Bans== To stabilize their rule and control culture, the Qing Dynasty rulers listed various banned books. Among these were six major prohibited works, one of which was Pinhua Baojian. The six banned books are: Zaihua Chuan, Shenlou Zhi, Pinhua Baojiang, Nao Huacun, Zhulin Yeshi, and Luye Xianzong. ==Criticism== Pinhua Baojian did not break away from the model of Ming and Qing dynasty romance novels. Lu Xun once commented: "Books depicting romantic relationships have been numerous in the past, and thus it could not escape old patterns. Even so-called high-quality works, such as characters like Mei Ziyu and Du Qinyan, are merely actors as beauties and scholars as talented men, filled with tender words." However, it also opened the way for modern erotic novels. Hu Shi commented: "Shallow people see its depiction of male love and call it a pornographic book; they do not realize that the historical value of this book lies in its portrayal of male love without considering it shameful." ==References== * 品花寶鑒 (Chinese) {{AI-translation}}