The Classical Prose Movement (Chinese: 古文運動; pinyin: gǔwén yùndòng), which emerged during Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty in China, advocated for clarity and precision in writing, as opposed to the florid pianwen (駢體文) or parallel prose style that had dominated since the Han dynasty. Parallel prose was characterized by a rigid structure and came to be criticized for being overly ornate at the expense of content.
The goal of the classical prose stylists was to capture the spirit of pre-Han prose,[1] allowing for the free expression of ideas and effective communication. They incorporated elements of colloquial language to make their writings more direct and accessible. The movement also had political and religious aspects, as Confucian scholars tried to combat the influence of Taoism and Buddhism on the imperial court and among the commoners.[2] Additionally, some proponents viewed it as an effective tool to expose the reality of corruption and weakness in the central government.
The most distinguished writers of the Classical Prose Movement were known as the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song.