A retrospect on the evolution of ci poetry style and compositional rules during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The construction of ci poetry at the joint of Ming and Qing dynasties was embodied not only in its composition and respective theories, but in its pattern and rhythm. Ci experts, represented by Wan Shu, characterizes the rise and fall of ci in the Ming dynasty, commented on Shiyu tupu and Xiaoyu pu,and set up the norms on ci's composition. Such studies were mostly seen in the first thirty years of the Qing dynasty, which can be considered as an important sign of the evolution of ci poetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]