| The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of t'Ang Exotics Contributor(s): Schafer, Edward H. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0520054628 ISBN-13: 9780520054622 Publisher: University of California Press OUR PRICE: $41.53 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 1985 Annotation: In the seventh century the kingdom of Samarkand sent formal gifts of fancy yellow peaches, large as goose eggs and with a color like gold, to the Chinese court at Ch'ang-an. What kind of fruit these golden peaches really were cannot now be guessed, but they have the glamour of mystery, and they symbolize all the exotic things longed for, and unknown things hoped for, by the people of the T'ang Empire. This book examines the exotics imported into China during the T'ang Dynasty, and depicts their influence on Chinese life. This book is not a statistical record of commercial imports and medieval trade, but rather a 'humanistic essay, however material its subject matter.' |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy - History | Asia - China |
| Dewey: 382.09 |
| LCCN: 63008922 |
| Physical Information: 1.05" H x 7.01" W x 9.73" (1.65 lbs) 432 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Chinese |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: In the seventh century the kingdom of Samarkand sent formal gifts of fancy yellow peaches, large as goose eggs and with a color like gold, to the Chinese court at Ch'ang-an. What kind of fruit these golden peaches really were cannot now be guessed, but they have the glamour of mystery, and they symbolize all the exotic things longed for, and unknown things hoped for, by the people of the T'ang empire. This book examines the exotics imported into China during the T'ang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), and depicts their influence on Chinese life. Into the land during the three centuries of T'ang came the natives of almost every nation of Asia, all bringing exotic wares either as gifts or as goods to be sold. Ivory, rare woods, drugs, diamonds, magicians, dancing girls--the author covers all classes of unusual imports, their places of origin, their lore, their effort on costume, dwellings, diet, and on painting, sculpture, music, and poetry. This book is not a statistical record of commercial imports and medieval trade, but rather a humanistic essay, however material its subject matter. |