Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- 1. Born and Bred to be a Ruler -- 2. Gentlemanly Style: Xiao Tong’s Literary Inclination -- 3. Writing for the Crown Prince: Worthy with Words -- 4. Xiao Tong’s Encounters with Buddhism -- 5. Pondering on Reclusion and Rulership -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index.

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Scholarship on Xiao Tong in both China and the West has paid little attention to his own writings beyond the influential anthology compiled by the Liang Crown Prince. Adopting a philological approach, this book thorougly examines a multitude of texts written by Xiao Tong and his entourage, many of whom were powerful writers in their own right. In addition to drawing a picture of important aspects of Liang court culture such as education, literary composition, personal relations, and ideological and religious trends, this study also redresses a long-standing bias against court poetry. It will enhance our understanding not only of the early sixth-century but also, indirectly, of a significant portion of pre-modern Chinese literature in general.

Description based on print version record.