In our conversation with Martin Kern, a professor of East Asian studies at Princeton University, we delve into his profound connection with ancient Chinese poetry and its cultural relevance. Kern is captivated by the richness of China’s cultural heritage, which he believes holds critical values and insights that resonate across time. He stresses the importance of understanding various civilizations through mutual respect and exchange, especially in our increasingly interconnected world.
Kern’s journey into sinology began in the 1980s at the University of Cologne, where he shifted from a career in journalism to studying Chinese studies and East Asian research. His focus on China garnered him a German government scholarship to study at Peking University from 1987 to 1989. It was during this period that he deepened his interest in early Chinese literature, greatly influenced by his professor, Yuan Xingpei, a distinguished scholar of classical poetry.
After completing his master’s thesis on poetry from the Six Dynasties in 1992, Kern pursued a PhD focusing on Han Dynasty poetry. Over the past twenty-six years, he has taught in the United States and expanded his research to include literary works from the Warring States, Spring and Autumn, and Western Zhou periods. His scholarly compilation, “Performance and Interpretation: Early Chinese Poetics,” features articles that examine the political poetry employed in state rituals.
Kern’s interests extend beyond poetry as an art form; he is particularly intrigued by its purposes and contextual backgrounds. He explores the meanings, functions, and societal roles of early poetry. He describes early Chinese text culture as a complex tradition intertwined with various philosophical and narrative elements. During the Han Dynasty, texts gained fluidity as authors compiled and restructured earlier materials into new works, each receiving distinctive titles.
One notable figure Kern investigates is Qu Yuan. His research illustrates that all information regarding Qu Yuan stems from the Han Dynasty, with significant contributions from scholars like Jia Yi and Sima Qian who shaped Qu Yuan’s literary portrayal. Kern emphasizes that the Han interpretation of Qu Yuan reflects a constructed narrative, embodying a “cultural memory” that can evolve.
He argues that cultural memory is distinct from historical research; it examines how we remember the past in ways that shape our current identities. Qu Yuan embodies ideals of loyalty, virtue, and patriotism that deeply resonate within Chinese culture. Kern believes that the lasting respect for Qu Yuan arises from his representation of these characteristics, which are central to China’s intellectual identity.
Additionally, Kern posits that Qu Yuan’s portrayal can resonate across cultures, reflecting universal themes of moral integrity, education, loyalty, and suffering. Since the late 19th century, various translations of “Li Sao” have appeared in multiple European languages. In 2018, Kern, alongside fellow scholars such as Paul Kroll and Stephen Owen, organized a symposium that culminated in a publication exploring innovative methodologies for studying Qu Yuan and “Chuci.”
Kern’s research bridges early Chinese literature and comparative studies, integrating archaeological insights while situating it within the wider context of world literature. He advocates for a comparative and international approach in the humanities, suggesting that future studies of Qu Yuan will continue to foster a global dialogue about cultural significance.
