Abstract��The works of the “Four Masters of Ci”, Wang Pengyun, Zheng Wenzhou, Zhu Zumou and Kuang Zhouyi represent the highest achievement of the late Qing ci poetry. Initially, they were close friends and used to write, criticize, collate and publish ci poetry together. In 1904, however, Zheng and Kuang, because of a disagreement on Kuang’s Yumei houci, argued fiercely and never again spoke to each other. This article analyzes Yumei houci, a collection Kuang wrote for his most beloved mistress. I focus on its “erotic” nature, the centre of the whole argument, and evaluate Kuang’s unique views of “erotic” poetry with reference to both his writing and criticisms.
