Ssu-ma Hsiang-ju (ca. 179-117 BC) was a leading Chinese poet of the Western Han period. He also explored and colonized lands that lay to the southwest of imperial territory.

Born in western China, Ssu-ma Hsiang-ju served as an official at the court of the king of Liang, who enjoyed certain local rights of government subject to the overall authority of the central government. Later Ssu-ma served as the leader of two missions which were sent to make contacts with the unassimilated tribes of the southwest; and following his reasonably successful achievements there, he was brought to the attention of the Emperor's court at Ch'ang-an.

Of six long poems attributed to Ssu-ma Hsiang-ju, two are probably not authentic. In addition he composed a number of essays in prose, including one which concerned some of the religious observances of state. It is possible that by this contribution, together with other...