Cultural Elements of the Xixia Dynasty in the Codex: A Study of the Xixia "Tiansheng Gaiji Xinling Dingli"

Author: Yang Jitang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Western Xia Studies is an emerging discipline. With the discovery of a large number of Western Xia artifacts and documents, as well as the interpretation of many valuable texts, Western Xia Studies has entered a new stage of development. The previously obscure history and culture of Western Xia have gradually revealed a clearer picture, showcasing their appealing cultural charm. In recent years, Western Xia legal documents have become a focal point of academic attention. In the early 20th century, a large number of Western Xia documents were found at the Hei Shui City Ruins in northwestern China (now part of Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), including the highly important Western Xia dynasty code, the Tiansheng Gai Jiu Xin Ding Li Ling. This is the main subject and material of Dr. Yang Jitang's research in this book. The Tiansheng Gai [Rixin Ding Li Ling] is a code promulgated during the reign of Western Xia Emperor Renzong in the Tiansheng era, abbreviated as Tiansheng Li Ling, and its original text is in Western Xia script. The Tiansheng Li Ling is the first code in Chinese history to be printed using ethnic minority script. This book introduces the Western Xia code and its basic characteristics, including Western Xia culture, Western Xia legal culture, the criminal law and litigation system of Western Xia, as well as the civil law and folk interactions of Western Xia.