Early Qing culture in Yangzhou

Author: Mei Qing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: The Culture of Early Qing Yangzhou is a creative work that serves as an important reference for scholars studying late imperial China. Mei Qing combines exquisite patronage activities with the literary creations of elite scholars, making the book particularly valuable and distinctive. Placing it within its historical context and exploring the complex cultural influences are also the strengths of her work. —Professor Timothy Brook of the University of Toronto.
Based on historical records, this book focuses on the local culture of early Qing Yangzhou, tracing the intricate experiences of the Jiangnan scholar-official group during the transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty and the reconstruction of their social networks after trauma. Around famous landmarks such as Hongqiao, Wenxuan Tower, Pingshan Hall, and Tianning Temple, the book meticulously portrays the literary creations of representative figures like Wang Shizhen and Deng Hanyi, who drew inspiration from the scenery and used ancient allusions to reflect on contemporary issues. It also discusses the cultural significance of local landmarks and the numerous works of scholars.
Not only does this book span the fields of local history, cultural history, and social history, but it also focuses on a period from the "Ten Days of Yangzhou" to the Kang-Qian era, a time that has received less attention from academia. Therefore, it represents a creative and innovative contribution to the study of early Qing local culture by overseas scholars in recent years.