This book presents poems from the Chin dynasty to the southern Sung, beginning with T`ao Yüan-ming and ending with Wu Wen-ying, including amongst others Wang Wei, Han Shan, Li Po, Tu Fu, Po Chü-i, Tu Mu, Li Yü, Li Ch´ing-chao and Su Shih. Chinese text and German translation. The appendix contains essays about the life and opinions of the literati, the different methods of translating Chinese poetry, and about calligraphy. There are short biographies of all the poetry, and about calligraphy. There are short biographies of all the poets, a glossary, and a select bibliography. None of the poetes is represented by less than three poems, the author outlines the individual character and the literary concepts of each poet.

Die aus Shanghai stammende Künstlerin Lili Yuan lässt in traditioneller Tuschmalerei großartige, mystisch überhauchte Landschaften entstehen. Dazu treten chinesische Landschaftsgedichte, die malerischen Linien verbinden sich mit den Schriftzügen der Poesie. In einem ergänzenden Essay spricht Michael von Poser über die jahrtausendalte Existenzform des chinesischen Einsiedlers.