Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This book traces the evolution of the Chu from a vassal state to its rise and fall as a great hegemonic kingdom in the Warring States period and its eventual resurgence in the early Han dynasty.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-238) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface: what does "defining Chu" mean? / Constance A. Cook and John S. Major -- Introduction / Constance A. Cook and Barry B. Blakeley -- pt. 1. Perspectives in defining Chu culture. The geography of Chu / Barry B. Blakeley ; Chu culture: an archaeological overview / Xu Shaohua ; Chu art: link between the old and new / Jenny F. So -- pt. 2. State and society. Chu society and state: image versus reality / Barry B. Blakeley ; The ideology of the Chu ruling class: ritual rhetoric and bronze inscriptions / Constance A. Cook ; Chu law in action: legal documents from tomb 2 at Baoshan / Susan Weld ; Towns and trade: cultural diversity and Chu daily life / Heather A. Peters -- pt. 3. The spirit of Chu. Characteristics of late Chu religion / John S. Major ; Monkeys, shamans, emperors, and poets: the Chuci and images of Chu during the Han dynasty / Gopal Sukhu ; Conclusion / John S. Major ; Appendix: translation of the Chu silk manuscript / Li Ling and Constance A. Cook.