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Ch’iu Wei (694–789) was from Chiahsing in Chekiang province and served in the central government before retiring from his final post as tutor to the crown prince. The Chinese have always admired skin not darkened by the sun or dried by the wind—the signs of manual labor and old age. Although this poem ostensibly refers to the imperial harem, and the imperial pear orchard was near the women’s apartments, there were pear trees elsewhere in the Forbidden City. Also the title makes it clear that Ch’iu is using the pear blossom’s purity to represent the virtue of such court officials as himself, who seek to be of service to the Son of Heaven despite the transience of such recognition. The “jade” steps of white marble at the entrance of the palace in Ch’ang-an represent the imperial presence, and the East Wing was the location of the Chancellery, where Ch’iu was serving at the time and from which he hoped to rise to the emperor’s attention—which he did, but as the result of his filial piety rather than his service at court.

A Pear Blossom in the East Wing

CH’IU WEI

Its pristine beauty could fool the snow

its lingering scent soaks through clothes

tell the spring wind not to stop

blow it toward the steps of jade