| Vignettes from the Late Ming: A Hsiao-p'in Anthology Contributor(s): Ye, Yang (Translator) |
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ISBN: 0295977337 ISBN-13: 9780295977331 Publisher: University of Washington Press OUR PRICE: $30.40 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: March 1999 Annotation: This anthology presents 70 translated and annotated short essays, or hsiao-p'in, by 14 well-known 16th- and 17th-century Chinese writers. Hsiao-p'in, characterized by spontaneity and brevity, were a relatively informal variation on the established classical prose style in which all scholars were trained. Written primarily to amuse and entertain the reader, hsiao-p'in reflect the rise of individualism in the late Ming period and collectively provide a panorama of the colorful life of the age. Critics condemned the genre as escapist because of its focus on life's sensual pleasures and triviality, and over the next two centuries many of these playful and often irreverent works were officially censored. Today, the essays provide valuable and rare accounts of the details of everyday life in Ming China as well as displays of wit and delightful turns of phrase. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Collections | Essays - Literary Collections | Asian - General - Literary Criticism | Asian - General |
| Dewey: 895.144 |
| LCCN: 98-15078 |
| Physical Information: 0.51" H x 6.06" W x 9.03" (0.60 lbs) 216 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Medieval (500-1453) - Chronological Period - 15th Century - Chronological Period - 16th Century - Chronological Period - 17th Century - Cultural Region - Asian - Cultural Region - Chinese - Cultural Region - Southeast Asian - Ethnic Orientation - Chinese |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This anthology presents seventy translated and annotated short essays, or hsiao-p'in, by fourteen well-known sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Chinese writers. Hsiao-p'in, characterized by spontaneity and brevity, were a relatively informal variation on the established classical prose style in which all scholars were trained. Written primarily to amuse and entertain the reader, hsiao-p'in reflect the rise of individualism in the late Ming period and collectively provide a panorama of the colorful life of the age. Critics condemned the genre as escapist because of its focus on life's sensual pleasures and triviality, and over the next two centuries many of these playful and often irreverent works were officially censored. Today, the essays provide valuable and rare accounts of the details over everyday life in Ming China as well as displays of wit and delightful turns of phrase. |