Abstract: Xiao Chengtao's views on the history of ci-poetry and the construction of the history resulted from his research and creative practice. One of Xia's key views was that the delicate restraint style was not to be termed as the orthodox, and this view broke away from the established understanding in the history of ci-poetry and enables Xia to reflect from a broader context on the ci-poetry history and the dualistic classification of ci-poetry. Xia's reflection on Changzhou School's view of ci-poetry history was of special importance to his views. His contributions to the study of ci-poetry included his elucidation of the individualistic lyrical tradition of literati poets, his argumentation on the boundary between ci-poetry and shi-poetry, and his claims of not breaking down or playing down the style of ci-poetry. Xia could both inherit the ancient ideas and absorb the new ideas to develop his own ideas and his non-conformist academic standpoint also made him a unique voice in the history of ci-poetry criticism and study.

Key words: Xia Chengtao, Ci-potry study, view of the ci-poetry history, the construction of the ci-poetry history