Shuowang (Photographic Treasury Edition)

Author: Yin Wen, Photography by Zhang Xichang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Seven elegant and thought-provoking essays that span from ancient times to the present, delving into the evolution, classification, functional aspects, and historical and cultural significance of alleys. Accompanied by one hundred and twenty photographs, the text and images complement each other. Reading this allows one to uncover the classic anecdotes hidden behind the quaint charm of alleys and deeply appreciate the vicissitudes and unique allure they embody. The Mao Commentary states: "An alley is a lane within a village." In ancient times, twenty-five households formed a village, with a village head appointed. Alleys were the roads within the village. The Book of Han·Treatise on Food and Wealth says: "In the countryside, it is called a cottage; in the city, it is called a village." Villages existed in cities, such as Juren Alley, Huishu Alley, Renfeng Alley, and Chengguo Alley, all remnants of ancient city villages. With population growth, the Ming Dynasty restructured villages into units of one hundred and ten households, appointing "village units" (lijiag) with ten households each, known as "lijiag." Alleys were the paths between the houses within a village. This book uses seven concise chapters to tell the story of alleys in Chinese traditional architecture, offering a unique and thoughtful description of their evolution, classification, functions, and historical and cultural significance, complemented by one hundred and twenty photographs, creating a harmonious blend of text and images.