Abstract This paper examines the economy of the SongDynasty (960-1279 CE). It discusses its changes, successes, failures and the influence of Wang Anshi and his reforms. The paper also explores the factors that led to increased economic growth.
Tags:SongDynasty, China, Northern Song, Southern Song, economics, Wang Anshi
Abstract The Literati where highly educated men who shared a common culture of Confucianism, refined men who also vied with each other at poetry, painting, and calligraphy. This paper examines the role of the literati in government between the 11th and 13th century.
This paper discusses two poems about women from the Tang dynasty, "To My Daughter on Her Marriage into the Yang Family", by author Wei Yingwu (737-731), and "Endless Yearning II", by Li Bai (701-762).
Abstract This paper examines poems about women, which reflect the culture of humankind and its history from the Tang dynasty, and yet, also reflect life today. The author points out that, in the five-character verse poem, "To My Daughter on Her Marriage into the Yang Family", by author Wei Yingwu, the girl in the poem may have left for her new marriage by boat instead of by limousine, but the love that the father feels for his daughter shares the same bittersweet emotions of any parent when the wedding couple says their vows in 2004.The paper relates that the poem, "Endless Yearning II", by Li Bai (701-762), with its folk-song-stylized verses could be a love song put to music by one of the present musical artists and understood by audiences of all ages.
Table of Contents
To My Daughter on Her Marriage into the Yang Family
Endless Yearning II
From the Paper "The author expresses the realities of life on earth with its pain and burdens. However, he also waits for his turn to be on the other side or paradise with his love, in the mountain wind and blue skies so far above. He hopes that his love can reach up to her, and his tears convince her of the aching of his heart. However, when reflecting on these clear yet complex words, one understands that there is much more beyond the simple telling of a love song?hints and innuendos and insights into other depths of meaning. On a deeper level, like many poets during the Tang period, the storyteller yearns for a distant and boundless heaven that appears in another dimension and awaits an individual's death."
Tags: father, realities, complex, storyteller, song
Abstract This paper discusses how, instead of dictating right from wrong, Taoism emphasizes the ideal of so-called pure talk, stressing that people should only talk about the good side of everything, to create a sense of positive energy and harmony between the spirit and the universe. The paper looks at how the epoch of Taoism came in the form of the SongDynasty, which many historians consider the first modern era of Chinese history. The paper further explains that during this Dynasty the leadership and the emerging commercial classes embraced, for the first time, the spirit of the Tao to an imperial level, because of the economic and social changes gripping China at the time.
From the Paper "For most of early Chinese history, Taoism was often "the philosophy and consolation of the gentleman in retirement, of the political failure." (DeBarry, Chan & Bloom, p.50) It was a religious philosophy distanced from the political administration of China, rather than embraced by the rulers of the empire, unlike Confucianism or even Buddhism. Taoism was a religion of "seclusion and cultivation," that seemed alien to the demands of the workaday world, much less the ways of rulers. (DeBarry, Chan & Bloom, p.50) Taoism stood in marked contrast to Confucianism's advocacy of n rigidly hierarchical to life that seemed to ideally suit the ways of an emperor operating under a mandate of heaven. However, the epoch of Taoism would come in the form of the Song Dynasty, which many historians consider the first modern era of Chinese history. "
This paper discusses the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-1800s, using Franz Michael's article "The Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty - The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents".
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, 2005, $ 62.95
Abstract This paper critiques Franz Michael's article titled "The Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty - The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Volume 2: Documents and Comments" published in 1971 in Seattle and London by the University of Washington Press. In this article, the writer examines the causes for and development of the Taiping Rebellion in the mid 1800s.
From the Paper "On the heels of the Opium War and Unequal Treaties that weakened China from the outside in, the Taiping rebellion erupted (see Appendix A). According to some researchers, this revolt was one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history killing between twenty and forty million people (Roberts, para. 1963). Due to increased foreign trade, the displacement of traditional economy decreased income due to opium importation. The Qing dynasty was unsuccessful in curbing foreign influence on China, especially with the rising influence of Westernization."
Abstract This paper examines how Qin, China's First Emperor, is often credited with unifying a country divided and how history also recalls him as a brutal dictator whose heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths, and perhaps, eventually his own sudden demise, destroying his 15-year rule. It also traces the accomplishments and failures of this short-lived dynasty.
From the Paper "Bolstered by both an organized military and an extreme system to control the populace based on negative and positive reinforcements (Legalism), Qin Shihuang successfully ended the Warring States Period in 221BC (Wudi par. 3). Following this, he proclaimed China united. However, while Qin, China's "First Emperor," is often credited with unifying a country divided, history also recalls him as a brutal dictator who's heavy-handed tactics resulted in hundreds of thousand deaths (Schirokauer, 51), and perhaps, eventually his own "sudden" demise, destroying his 15-year rule. "
Abstract The paper discusses the ancient Chinese "Book of Songs," a book of poems each of which is set to music so it can be sung. The book consists of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. The paper examines the various styles of songs that make up the book and how these songs were used to celebrate many occasions.
From the Paper "Chinese literature has a long history that begins with Shi Jing, or the Book of Songs. The original title of the work was Shi (Poems) and later Shi Sanbai (Three Hundred Poems). Each of the poems was set to music so it could be sung. The book finally consisted of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. Folk songs were popular among the people and made up the best part of the book. Ceremonial songs and sacrificial songs were sung primarily on sacrificial or ceremonial occasions as a means of eulogizing the merits and virtues of the Son of Heaven and of his forefathers (Churchill paras. 1-2). Shi Jing is one of the seminal works of Chinese Civilization, serving this role along with the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), the Book of History (Shu Jing),.."
Abstract Songs often contain spiritual messages that can help those who are either victims of unpleasant circumstances or lack the courage to overcome misfortunes. The lyrics of many such songs urge people to face life with a cheerful and positive attitude. This paper discusses three such songs, which contain substance because they transcend any particular space or time and thus carry a universal message of wisdom and courage. The paper also focuses on such things as tone of the song, its central theme, rhyming, significance of oft-repeated lines etc.
Abstract This paper discusses two of Marley's songs: "Redemption Song" and "Get Up, Stand Up" and examines the protest behind the songs. Additionally, the paper focuses on why Marley chose to present his protests against the political system, racism and social inequality through his music and how Marley's unique style characterizes his works. Finally, the paper discusses how Marley's songs altered the conventional ideas of reggae style and the religious movement known as Rastafari and discusses how Marley's music was able to inspire a nation and her people.
From the Paper "Throughout history, expressions of protest have come from a variety of sources and through a vast plethora of mediums. From paintings to poetry, protest works have helped to shape many causes, and have in many cases even influenced the outcome of the cause for the protest. This type of influence and the ability to affect masses of people simultaneously is perhaps best shown in the world of music."
Abstract In this article the writer provides an exploration of the use of the memory-street metaphor in song lyrics, from the 1960's to the present. The writer examines how the metaphor of roads is used in in different ways. The writer also presents various songs that illustrate and support the discussion.
From the Paper "The exploration of memory in song lyrics and the metaphor of roads memories and roads or streets have been the subject matter of numerous world famous songs. The use of roads as metaphors for human memory is effective because the two have a number of things in common, despite the reality that memory exists only metaphysically. Three features shared by memories and roads are the inevitability of change perspective and a linkage which allows the physical road to lead to an emotive response in the memory. "
Abstract This paper describes the CD recording "John Dowland Songs for Tenor and Lute", and notes that the tenor voice is the fundamental part and focal point while the lute acts as a background instrument, which adds variety and frills to the compositional piece. The paper also points out the similar sound of the historical lute to that of the contemporary Spanish guitar. The paper also points out that the performer of the lute in this recording is Paul O'Dette, born in 1954, who is both a musician and composer specializing in playing the lute and early music. In addition, the paper describes the various tracks, many of which sing of love, and the song "When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love". The writer believes that this recording is authentic recording and offers many insights into the music of its time period.
From the Paper "In this CD, almost every single track is set up the exact same way. The tenor is the only voice and is the main compositional piece of the music. The lute is there to add some background to the tenor voice. I also noticed that there is very little set rhythm through each piece. Each song on this recording is a song about love. Even though the recording is performed in English, the performer sings in way that makes it extremely difficult to understand and discern the words that he is actually singing. Out of 20 tracks, fifteen of the track's titles have to do with love."
Abstract The paper explores the Tang Dynasty which was commonly regarded by many Chinese as the most glorious period of Chinese history and the classical era of Chinese art. The paper discusses how the Chinese artistic style remained relatively uniform, in contrast with the levels of transformation evident in Chinese society and history of the period. The paper examines the art during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the Northern and Southern SongDynasties, the rule of the Mongols and the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. The paper explains that during all these time periods there was a climate that discouraged rather than encouraged radical innovations that could be called revolutionary in the traditional, Western sense of an artistic revolution.
From the Paper "The open ports during the Tang Dynasty meant that China was exposed to new ideas, from abroad, and the arts, including sculpture and painting, as well as poetry and the art of the traditional Chinese opera. All of these arts were nationally supported. Yet this brief period of openness ended almost as quickly as it began. ("Tang Dynasty," Classical Imperial China, 2006) Also, the concentration of artistic support near the Imperial Court limited the levels of innovation to a fairly select group of artists."
This paper details emperor Hui-Tsung's life, not only as an ineffectual leader but as an accomplished artist, specializing in delicately colored bird-and-flower paintings.
Abstract This paper contains in-depth research on the life of emperor and artist Hui Tsung. The author of this paper discusses Hui-Tsung as a sophisticated antiquarian, whose talent and vision became an increasingly important factor in Chinese art. What differentiated Emperor Hui-tsung's painting style and that of the Literati was the emperor's main focus on Taoistic idealistic realism. Numerous historians of art believe that the Northern Sung Dynasty period produced the greatest realistic landscapes in China's history. This extensive paper also covers in detail the different views and aspects on the history of art in China.
Topics covered in this paper include:
Introduction
The Northern Dissident Literati
Su Ch'e
Confucianism and Taoism
Emperor Hui-tsung
Li T'ang
Xia gui
Conclusion
Chinese footnotes
Bibliography
From the Paper "According to a translation from the German Tripod Mitgdeider Home Page, which includes an anthology of Chinese Poets of the Sung Dynasty, Ou Yang hsiu was an outstanding proselytizer and poet of the ' Northern Sung '. His pen name was Tsui weng, which has been translated as "the old gray drunk". Ou Yang's father died when he was four years old and he grew up in difficult conditions. It is said that his mother taught him reading and he was forced to write in the dirt, having no money to purchase paper. Later he took the civil service exams and became politically active. He belonged to the progressive fan Chung Yen and was eventually deported to a remote area of China. Despite this set back, he devoted himself to transforming the poetry and prose of his period. Although He was a devotee of the T'ang poet and the famous philosopher Han Uye, his work was smoothly elegant and unique having almost a musical quality."
Abstract This paper studies four ancient dynasties in Chinese history, the Xia, Shang, Zhou and Qin and how they characterize the early beginnings of the culture of politics and society of China, as well as the literature, religion, philosophies and other intellectual and cultural developments that have become the foundations of the contemporary Chinese society. It analyzes the dynamics of these four dynasties and attempts to identify any trends of similarities and differences that emerged during the ancient Chinese civilization. It also develops the stance that the ancient Chinese dynasties have portrayed similarities in political systems and social norms in the society while there have been developments in the cultural system of the Chinese throughout history.
From the Paper "The political structure of the Zhou dynasty changed from being a feudal aristocracy into a bureaucratic government. Because of the division of political work in the governance of the dynasty, the Zhou tribe was able to develop different aspects that are significant to the improvement of human civilization. Although Zhou dynasty also subsisted to the ways and traditions of the Shang dynasty such as ?Oracle bone divination, bronze casting for sacrificial purposes and burying rites,? Zhou dynasty had developed a complex kind of culture, with the emergence of literature in the form of Confucianism's readings and teachings (Theobald 2000). Although Confucianism was already an established philosophical movement during the Shang dynasty, its teachings and philosophy became more popular during the Zhou dynasty."
Abstract This paper explains that the Choson dynasty is marked by the creation of the Korean alphabetic script, the establishment of the yangban, a new aristocracy, and a shift to Confucianism. The author points out that during the Choson Dynasty, many events happened in the West: Columbus discovered America, the Protestant Reformation divided Europe, and modern nationalism resulted in powerful states like Germany, Italy, and Russia and the Industrial Revolution. The author believes that the Japanese domination changed the unique culture of Korea in many ways, basically robbing the people of the Choson Dynasty of their own ways.
From the Paper "In addition, the Korean people began to lose interest in the study of martial arts. The study of martial arts, including weapons, was banned to everyone but the military. The HwaRangDo, whose roots lay in the Buddhist teachings, eventually lost its importance among young people.
While Korea was under Japanese control, many things changed. All competitive sports and martial arts were forbidden. Only the military, which was now under Japanese control, could practice martial arts (Lancaster, 2002). SooBakGi was practiced secretly and soon changed its name again to SooBakDo. Japanese combat arts were first seen in Korea during this time. The people of Korea showed a great deal of interest in this type of fighting."
