A Comprehensive Study of Historical Social Customs and Practices

Author: Shang Binghe, edited by Mu Gengcai and Liu Ruiling
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Shang Binghe (1870–1950), courtesy name Ziyu, was a native of Xingtang, Hebei. Throughout his life, he wrote extensively and became a master in both the I Ching and historiography. In the field of the I Ching, he authored works such as The Ancient Divination of the Zhou Yi, Commentary on Jiao’s I Ching, and Notes on Jiao’s I Ching Forest. In historiography, he left behind enduring works like The Spring and Autumn Annals of Xin and Ren and Studies on the Social Customs, Affairs, and Objects of Past Dynasties. In The Biography of Master Zixi, he discussed the compilation of Studies on the Social Customs, Affairs, and Objects of Past Dynasties, saying: "When considering Chinese history, records are often detailed about the rise and fall of dynasties, political gains and losses, and cultural institutions. However, the evolution of social customs, the differences in customs and practices, and the conditions of daily life from the Three Dynasties to the Tang and Song dynasties remain unclear, making it difficult to grasp when reading ancient texts. Yet, every object has its own history, and every event has its own history—their importance is often overlooked. Therefore, the author compiled this work, tracing the origins, from the Three Dynasties to the late Qing Dynasty, covering aspects of social conditions and customs that have not been elaborated in specialized histories, such as clothing, food, housing, marriage, funeral rites, games, seasonal sacrifices, and markets. The author meticulously examined and verified these aspects, citing over 300 classical texts. This work is an invaluable resource for those interested in traditional Chinese culture, especially those seeking to understand the social customs of past dynasties. It provides insights that are both enlightening and indispensable. This book includes the preface to the reprinted Studies on the Social Customs, Affairs, and Objects of Past Dynasties, the preface to Studies on the Social Customs, Affairs, and Objects of Past Dynasties, the social conditions during the times of Youning and the Flame People, and the social conditions during the times of Fuxi, Shennong, and Huangdi."