Du Mu (杜牧, pinyin: Dů Mů, 803 - 852) was a leading realistic Chinese poet of the late Tang dynasty. His courtesy name was Muzhi (牧之), and sobriquet Fánchuan (樊川).
He was born in Chang'an at a time when his family's fortunes were declining. He passed the jinshi exam in 827 at the age of 25, and went on to hold many official positions over the years. However, he never achieved a high rank, apparently because he made enemies in a factional dispute in 835. He was appointed to the office of Secretariat Drafter shortly before his death.
Du Mu was skilled in shi, fu and ancient Chinese prose. He is best known as the writer of sensual and lyrical quatrains. He also wrote long narrative poems, as well as a commentary on the Art of War and many letters of advice to high officials.
Among his influences were Du Fu, Li Bai, Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan.
He is often mentioned with another famous poet Li Shangyin as the "Little Li-Du" (小李杜), in contrast to the "Great Li-Du": Li Bai and Du Fu.
Further reading
- Nienhauser, William H (ed.). The Indiana Companion to Traditional Chinese Literature. Indiana University Press 1986. ISBN 0253329833
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