A Social History of Middle-Period China
The Song, Liao, Western Xia and Jin Dynasties

A valuable reference work for the social history of China in the period 960–1279 from leading Chinese scholars.

Ruixi Zhu (Author), Bangwei Zhang (Author), Chongbang Cai (Author), Zengyu Wang (Author)

9781107167865, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 December 2016

798 pages, 85 b/w illus. 4 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 3.8 cm, 1.38 kg

Drawing on a wide range of sources, this book discusses the social history of China in the period 960–1279, comparing the different ethnic cultures of Song 'China' and its neighbouring empires. This valuable reference work for our understanding of the Song, Liao, Western Xia and Jin Dynasties presents recent Chinese research in English translation for the first time, exploring topics including material culture, food, technology, ritual, religion, medicine, gender, family and language.

1. Apparel and accessories
2. Food, part 1: the food of Song
3. Food, part 2: the food of Liao, Western Xia and Jin
4. Housing and indoors appliances
5. Transportation and communications
6. Women: Han women living in the territory of Song
7. Women: ethnic women living in the territories of Liao, Western Xia, Jin, Dali and ethnic settlements under the jurisdiction of Song
8. Marriage, part 1: marriage of Han people under the jurisdiction of Song
9. Marriage, part 2: marriage of ethnic people living in the territories of Liao, Western Xia, Jin, Dali and ethnic settlements under the jurisdiction of Song
10. Childbirth and old-age care
11. Funeral and burial practices, part 1: funeral and burial practices of Han people under the jurisdiction of Song
12. Funeral and burial practices, part 2: those of Liao, Western Xia, Jin, Dali and ethnic settlements under the jurisdiction of Song
13. Social activities and related etiquette
14. Religious beliefs
15. Worship of various natural gods
16. Witchery and divination
17. Entertainment and sports
18. Medical and healthcare practices
19. Appellations and seniority among siblings
20. Taboos
21. Personal symbols
22. Chinese character tattoos, pattern tattoos and flower pinning
23. Holidays and vacations
24. Oral and written languages
25. The family organization
26. Festivals
Postscript
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB], Medieval history [HBLC1], Asian history [HBJF]