Archive for May 22nd, 2009

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Beijing Olympic – S Korea accepts nothing but winning at archery tourney

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

South Korea wrapped up both team titles after they defeated Malaysia 218-215 in men’s final at the International Archery Tournament, a “Good Luck Beijing” sport event, here on Wednesday.

In men’s team bronze medal match, United States presented a superb performance in 227 points against Chinese Taipei’s 223 points, taking up the podium place.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s women archers crowned in team category by a 218-211 victory over Russia.

South Korea sent here a world champions squad consisting of IM Dong Hyun, Lee Chang Hwan and Kim Yeon Chul.

IM Dong Hyun and Lee Chang Hwan are the man’s team champions at the Athens Games. IM Dong Hyun is also a gold medalist at the Doha Asian Games last year.

After 18 arrows, South Korea led by four points in 167-163, then Malaysia narrowed the gap to 2 points after three arrows further, but a 9-9-7 performance in the last three arrows was not enough to help them beat the mighty South Koreans.

United States shot a day-best score of 227 points in bronze medal match to overcome another impressive team Chinese Taipei.

United States stood ahead of Chinese Taipei 198-196 before the last three arrows. The last-gasp effort of 9-10-10 secured their podium finish no matter what Chinese Taipei’s shoot in the wrapping-up three arrows.

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)

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China Travel – Tomb and Memorial Hall of Zhang Zhongjing

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

The Tomb and Memorial Hall of Zhang Zhongjing are located on the riverbank of Wenliang River, north of Nanyang City, Henan Province.

Born in the Nanyang Prefecture (in today’s Henan Province), Zhang Zhongjing (circa 150-219) was a master of medicine in ancient China. Many of his works on medicine still remain in use today. Zhang’s Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold and the Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber, for example, have been considered classical works of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Zhang, who was known as the sage of medicine, was buried in Nanyang.

Zhang’s tomb was later destroyed and the stele was buried in the tall grasses. Restored in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a memorial hall was set up in Zhang’s honor. The plane of the memorial hall is square and the tomb is located in the center of the yard. The main hall, east and west side halls, lotus pond and guildhall surround the yard. The guildhall was originally the place where doctors from all over the country gathered together and discussed medical problems. On March 3 and September 9 every lunar calendar year, there is a party for the pilgrimage mission held at the guildhall that attracts an ever-increasing number of followers.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

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Chinese Culture – Qu Yuan and Lament on Encountering Sorrow

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Of the great poets living in the 4th century BC, the most famous is Qu Yuan, born in the Chu Kingdom. Qu Yuan and his follower Song Yu established a new style of poetry — Chu Ci (literally, poetry of the Chu Kingdom).

Qu Yuan (340-278BC) was an important politician in the Chu Kingdom of the Warring States Period (475-221), and spent his whole life in complicated political conflicts. At that time, Qu Yuan was aware that the state and families would inavoidably suffer from foreign devastation because of the domestic troubles and the foreign invasion. He had been framed by conspirators and couldn’t dedicate himself to serve the state. Full of grief and indignation, he threw himself into Miluo River on 5 of the fifth month in lunar calendar.

As the first great patriotic poet in the history of Chinese literature, Qu Yuan composed 25 poems including Lament on Encountering Sorrow, The Nine Songs (11 pieces), Asking Heaven, The Nine Elegies (9 pieces), The Far-off Journey Divination, and The Fisherman.

Lament on Encountering Sorrow is Qu Yuan’s classic work, which is also the earliest long lyric poem in China. The poem resolutely uncloaks the repulsiveness of the ruling class by deploying a series of metaphors, and at the same time portrays some upstanding models who adhere to justice and who are unafraid of persecution and very devoted to their country and people.

Lament on Encountering Sorrow is a romantic lyric poem with a measured realism. The poet utilizes a great deal of exaggeration in portraying characters and describing objects. The assemblage of fairy tales further enhances the poem’s romantic flavor Metaphors are lavishly laid out in Lament on Encountering Sorrow, for example, a fragrant plant is compared to people’s uplifting qualities, the love between an man and woman is likened to the relationship between an emperor and his subjects, and the reins of a horse akin to the management of a country. The form of Lament on Encountering Sorrow comes from its origins in local oral traditions, and its very concise language echoes the many dialects of the Chu Kingdom. Qu Yuan’s works are rich, full of profound ideas, and bold and unrestrained vigor, having far-reaching influence on the works of the later generations.

（Source: chinaculture.org）

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