Insights into Chinese Culture [English Edition]. ISBN: 7-5600-7635-1, 7560076351, 978-7-5600-7635-5, 9787560076355

Chinese Title: 中国文化读本 (英语版)
English Title: Insights into Chinese Culture
ISBN-10: 7-5600-7635-1, 7560076351
ISBN-13: 978-7-5600-7635-5, 9787560076355
Binding: softcover
Pages: 266
Shipping Weight: 550g
Size: 170mm x 230mm
Language: English
Year of Publication: 2008

Featuring the distinctive heights of Chinese culture, the authors share with you their insights into the concepts and passions of the Chinese nation over the past 5,000 years. On reading through this historical range of remarkable creativity and flair for innovation, still evident today in living artistic masterpieces and folk traditions, you soon acquire a better understanding of the cultural character, life views, aesthetic pursuits and national spirit of the Chinese people. Through every work of art or architecture, a fascinating story or legend unfolds…

Contents

Preface
Wisdom and Beliefs
1.Confucian Thought on Heaven and Humanity
Confucius on Heaven: the Source of Everything
Confucius on People: ren (仁) and li (礼)
Confucius on the State of Life

2.Laozi's Philosophy of Non-action
Naturalness and Non-action
The Philosophy of Non-contention
Returning to a Newborn State

3.Sunzi's Art of War: Source for All Books on War
The Strategic Thoughts of Sunzi
The Dialectical Thinking of Sunzi
Sunzi's Cautions Against War
Sunzi's Wisdom Beyond the Military

4.The Temple of Heaven: Reverence with Awe and Gratitude
Ceremonial Offerings of the Emperor
Holding Nature in Awe
Humanity and Heaven in Communion

5.Eco-awareness in Traditional Chinese Culture
The Philosophy of “Life”
Ecological Aesthetics
Humans at One with Other Living Things

Creativity and Exchange
6.Chinese Characters: Poetic Symbols
Symbols of Sentiment
Graceful Olympic Symbols

7.The Silk Road
Zhang Qian, Trail Blazer
Opening to the“West”
Murals in the Kuche Grottoes

8.Openness of the Great Tang
Arts from all Corners of the World
Religious Diversity
Seeking Buddhist Truths
Chang'an as an International Metropolis

9.Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Seas
Advanced Navigation Civilization
Spreading Peace

10.The Great Wall
Aspiration for Peace
Separation and Integration
Spirit of the Great Wall
Wonder of the Great Wall

11.The Forbidden City: Glorious and Awe-inspiring
Concealed Contours of a Dragon
The Colors of the Forbidden City

Art and Aesthetics
12.Music: Govern the Country, Nourish the Mind
Governance Through Music
Consoling the Mind with Music

13.Spiritual Essence in Bronzeware
Great Ding for Yu
Lotus and Crane Kettles
Galloping Horse Overtaking a Flying Swallow

14.A Silent Army
Discovery of the Terracotta Army
Vivid Sculpture

15.The Eternal Smile of the Buddha
Beautiful Guanyin in the Mogao Grottoes
Smiling Buddha in the Maijishan Grottoes
Buddha of Brightness in the Longmen Grottoes
Compassionate Buddha of Qingzhou

16.Flying Strokes of Calligraphy
Rhythm of Calligraphy
Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection “Hidden Style” of the Yan Script

17 The Charm of Ink and Wash
Black-and-White World
Shaping Beyond Likeness
Landscape Painting of the Song and Yuan Dynasties
Innovation after the Ming and Qing Dynasties

18.Porcelain-Calling Card of Chinese Culture
Nature's Craft
Pure Blue-and-White Porcelain
A Subtle and Reserved World
Shape and Imagery

19.Gardens South of the Yangtze River
A Winding Path to Places of Interest
Fascinating Stones
A Sense of Space

20 Peking Opera: Artistry of Performers
The Delights of Peking Opera Masks
Peking Opera Performance：Sing，Speak，Act，and Fight
The Beauty of a“Virtual World”
“Watching a Play Is Watching Famous Actors”
Mei Lanfang, Great Peking Opera Artist

21.A Variety of Splendid Folk Arts
Cloisonné: Artifacts with the Gleam of Precious Gems
New Year Pictures: Enhancing the Festive Atmosphere
Papercuts: a World Created with Scissors
Embroidery: Ten Fingers Like a Spring Breeze
Shadow Play: the Art of Light and Shadow

Folk Customs
22.Urban Customs in A Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival
A Horizontal Scroll of the Scenery along the Bianhe River
Urban Civilization of the Northern Song Dynasty

23.Customs and Charms of Old Beijing
Food in Old Beijing
Alleys and Hawkers'Cries
Bustling Tianqiao
Temple Fairs in Old Beijing
Leisure Life in Old Beijing

24.Modern G1amour of Old Shanghai
The Most Open City
Fashion Seekers
Shikumen and the Customs of the Alleys

25.Traditional Costumes
Graceful Tang-style Fashion
Beautiful Cheongsam
Natural Wax Printing
Splendid Stage Costumes

26.Culinary Delights in China
Local Chinese Cuisines
Every Dish Has a Story
Warmth and Hospitality Expressed by Food
Superb Skills of Chinese Chefs

27.Life with Fragrant Tea
Magical Functions of Tea
Ways of Savoring Tea
Tea Drinking and Folk Customs

28.Civil Residences in Deep Alleys
Siheyuan in Beijing
Ancient Town of Lijiang
White Walls and Black Tiles，Anhui
Xitang,a Serene Water W0rld

29.Martial Arts and Cuju
Martial Arts of the Shaolin Temple
Flowing Shadow Boxing
Martial Arts from the Heart
Cuju Flew Higher than Birds

30.GO: a Game of Wits
A Game on Rotted Ax-handle Mountain
Wisdom at Play
A Game of Peace
Hand Conversations

A Brief Chronology of Chinese History
Index of Persons
Index of Major Sights