History of Ming Dynasty Social Life

Author: Chen Baoliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The Ming Dynasty was a period of transformation. The continuous growth of the population, the commercialization and monetization of the economy, the prosperity of cities, the acceleration of social mobility, and the "vitality" and "diversity" of life and culture all demonstrated its fundamental differences from the preceding era. Ming Dynasty cities were a melting pot of various individuals. Government officials, full of ambition, traveled with fanfares; failed imperial examination candidates became recluses or courtiers, serving in government offices and brothels, seeking patronage; merchants wore luxurious clothing, frequenting entertainment districts; while beggars and ruffians, dressed in casual attire, carried scales and daggers, accompanied by colorful female companions who moved among the private quarters of wealthy households. This book provides a detailed examination of the changes in Ming Dynasty people's concepts and lifestyles, covering aspects such as clothing, food, housing, travel and transportation, marriage, funerals, religious beliefs, festivals, leisure and entertainment, and social etiquette. It also vividly portrays the lives of all social strata, from the imperial family and scholars to merchants, craftsmen, doctors, and fortune-tellers, ultimately highlighting the commercialized and artistic tendencies in Ming Dynasty life.