Page 142 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

Being Mild and Gentle, Sincere and Broadminded 135

2 Being Mild and Gentle, Sincere and
Broadminded: Music and Poetry Education

The connection between aesthetics and the concept of being mild and gentle,
sincere and broadminded was realized through the Chinese discursive system of
poetry and music education. This concept was constructed and enriched through
the discourse of poetry and music education. Poetry and music education is related
to the modern form of aesthetics, but it is not exactly the same as the modern form
of aesthetics, because poetry and music education is a category and term unique to
Confucianism. It was developed and improved by the rulers of the time in response
to the need for education.
Poetry education and music education are interrelated and distinct, and both
belong to the six arts in the unified feudal empires of China. The six arts originally
refer to the six subjects that Confucius taught his students, and later generally
referred to the six classics of Confucianism. In the Han Dynasty, the six arts first
became a part of state-organized education and was a political and educational
measure taken in response to the contempt of the Qin Dynasty for the six arts.
Confucian scholars of the Han Dynasty considered poetry and music education
as the basic way to train scholars. In the Western Han Dynasty, starting with
Lu Jia (陆贾 ca.240 B.C.E.–170 B.C.E.), Jia Yi (贾谊 ca.200 B.C.E.–168 B.C.E.), and
Jia Shan (贾山 ?–ca.179 B.C.E.), the relationship between poetry education and
music education and the study of education on humanity were explored through
reflections on the brutal rule of the Qin Dynasty.
In the earliest six arts of Confucianism, poetry and music were intrinsically
linked. Poetry was subordinate to the system of music. Thus, music education and
poetry education had the same nature, namely to cultivate the mind and reform
customs. In terms of the ruler’s edification needs, music education also encour-
aged people to be “mild and gentle, sincere and broadminded.” Music edification
was more easily accepted by the illiterate people. Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒 179
B.C.E.–104 B.C.E.), a great Confucianist of the Western Han Dynasty, wrote to
Emperor Wu, stating that:

Music is used to improve the people’s conduct and customs. It is easy to do so and the result is
obvious. The sound of music is harmonious, is based on feelings, touches the body, and is
hidden deep in the bone marrow. Therefore, although the way of the sage kings has declined,
music still prevails (Ban, 1962, p. 2499).

Dong Zhongshu made it clear that music was more effective than poetry in
changing conduct and customs and educating the people. Han Dynasty literary