Selected Papers on Ancient History by Yang Kuan

Author: Yang Kuan
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The author is an authority in ancient history research. The selected papers included in this book are of high academic value and representatively reflect the author's many years of scholarly work in ancient history research. They cover various aspects of pre-Qin and Qin-Han politics, economy, and academia. Particularly, his research on ancient myths and legends has been highly praised by Japanese scholars for emerging from the "doubtful ancient history school" while fully absorbing the methods and achievements of the "interpretive ancient history school," striving to open up "new frontiers" for the "new interpretive ancient history school." As for his extensive citation of historical documents and bronze inscriptions, corroborated with archaeological materials, and his detailed examination of 170+ Western Zhou states and tribes, this is work unprecedentedly done by predecessors. For anyone studying or interested in this period, this selected collection is indispensable. It is divided into nine volumes.
Volume 1 primarily explores the development of ancient agricultural production, including achievements in land systems, agricultural policies, and other aspects.
Volume 2 includes articles discussing the "village and frontier system" (xiang sui zhi du) closely related to Western Zhou social organization and military structure, as well as papers on the evolution from the feudal system to the prefecture-county system during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States to Qin-Han periods.
Volume 3 includes two essays: "The Auxiliary Capital System of the Shang Dynasty" and "Examination of the States of the Western Zhou."
Volume 4 consists of articles on the history of the Warring States period.
Volume 5 includes discussions on myths of the gods of the four seasons and mythological issues in ancient historical legends.
Volume 6 contains miscellaneous studies on artifacts.
Volume 7 includes studies on the "Monthly Ordinances."
Volumes 8 and 9 focus on Mohism and the pre-Qin philosophers.