About Liu Kezhuang
Lived 1187 – 1269 (aged 81–82). Liu Kezhuang was a Chinese poet.
Liu Kezhuang (, 1187–1269), was a Song Dynasty Chinese poet and literary critic.
He is credited with selecting the first version of the anthology "Poems by a Thousand Masters" (:zh:千家詩 sometimes also known as "Poems of the Masters"). In later versions of the anthology, two of his poems are included.
Liu is considered the most important member of the "Rivers and Lakes (江湖詩派 jiānghú shīpăi)" group of poets. This group of poets favoured subjects from everyday life and rejected the refined language and courtly themes of the Kangxi school.
Several thousand of his shī poems (詩) survive, and very many of his cí poems (詞) survive as well.
During his life, Liu occupied several low-level posts in the administration; it appears that his use of poetry for social criticism got in the way of his advancement.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Liu Kezhuang's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Liu Kezhuang?
Chinese writer
When was Liu Kezhuang born?
Liu Kezhuang was born in 1187.
When did Liu Kezhuang die?
Liu Kezhuang died in 1269.
What was Liu Kezhuang's occupation?
Liu Kezhuang was a poet.
What nationality was Liu Kezhuang?
Liu Kezhuang was Chinese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Liu Kezhuang. https://biography.guide/liu-kezhuang/
MLA: "Liu Kezhuang." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/liu-kezhuang/.
Chicago: "Liu Kezhuang." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/liu-kezhuang/.
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