100 Cultures Influencing China

Author: Zhang Xiuping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The "China 100 Series" is a unique read different from general historical works. It takes the figures, events, wars, works, and cultures in Chinese history as its main threads, narrating 100 individuals who contributed to the development of invention, academia, culture, and Sino-foreign relations in the course of Chinese history; 100 events that occurred during the transitions of various dynasties, disputes among academic schools, the rise and fall of religions, and major historical turning points; 100 wars fought for unity, justice, hegemony, or power; 100 classical works that meticulously and systematically record the history of Chinese science and culture over thousands of years; and 100 brilliant academic, literary, folk, and material cultures that stand tall among the nations of the world.
Throughout the long river of Chinese history, our ancestors have created countless cultural treasures, directed numerous grand historical dramas, emerged as thousands of creative and diverse figures, and left behind vast and invaluable historical and cultural classics. This series selects these figures, events, wars, works, and cultures, but limits them to "100" to highlight their special roles and influences in the development of Chinese history. Although this limited "100-item" series is but a drop in the ocean compared to the boundless reality of Chinese history, it represents a new pursuit and attempt to introduce knowledge of Chinese history. Through it, readers can learn about the wisdom and charm of influential political leaders, thinkers, writers, military strategists, diplomats, and scientists in Chinese history, uncover the truth and secrets behind complex historical events, witness the fierce and ruthless struggles of wars, and understand the essence of the formation of spiritual and cultural history.
As the saying goes, "At the peak of writing, there is no need for tricks." By summarizing thousands of years of Chinese history through five major themes—figures, events, wars, works, and cultures—it is both concise and comprehensive, catering to contemporary readers' interests in reading and learning about history. This is the purpose of the "China 100 Series."
"100 Cultures That Influenced China" lists academic cultures such as Confucianism, philosophy, religion, practical learning, metaphysics, historiography, oracle bone script studies, astronomy, mathematics, law, military science, logic, aesthetics, economic management, medicine, and agriculture. It also includes folk cultures like cuisine, tea, wine, embroidery, silk, clothing, riddles, lanterns, fans, kites, qigong, go, and chess. Additionally, it covers material cultures such as ancient capitals, palaces, temples, pagodas, grottoes, bronze wares, weapons, bronze mirrors, bronze drums, figurines, jade artifacts, ceramics, furniture, coins, and clocks. It also includes literary cultures such as Chinese characters, newspapers, vernacular poetry, fiction, and crosstalk.
The existence and development of these cultures, from a structural perspective, showcase the splendid content of Chinese culture rooted in the deep soil of the Chinese nation. From a narrative perspective, it highlights the evolutionary of these cultural developments, reflecting on the arduous journey of Chinese historical evolution from another angle.