Chinese history (History)

Shifting focus from the patient's body to the healer's body, this essay focuses on how Chinese physicians instrumentalized their bodies to heal (ie, body-as-technology) and their hands to think with (ie, hand-memory techniques or simply, hand mnemonics). When physicians used their hands to memorize concepts related to clinical practice, calculate with time variables, and carry out ritual gestures intended to reduce risk, improve fortune, and even cure, their hands became extensions of their minds. This essay has three parts that follow the discovery process of the author's research on handmemory techniques found in Chinese medical texts. The first part "Divination and Revelation" explains the significance of how the author first learned about Chinese divination practices that used hand mnemonics. The second part "Original Frame" introduces the scholarship on arts of memory in Europe that informed interpretations of the earliest hand mnemonics found in Chinese medical texts. The third part "Expanded Frame" deploys some concepts from cognitive science to help situate Chinese medical hand mnemonics more broadly as an example of extended cognition. The essay concludes with an important distinction: sometimes Chinese healers' hands were used separately from their bodies to think through things and sometimes hand and body had to be integrated in order for the healer's body-as-technology to act as a therapeutically effective instrument.

Romer Cornejo (comp.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv3f8q6t El cumplimiento de cuarenta años de docencia e investigación sobre China en El Colegio de México en el año 2004 y del mismo número de años de publicación continua de la revista Estudios de Asia y África, antes Estudios Orientales, en el 2005, es una ocasión propicia para la selección y publicación de algunos artículos sobre ese país aparecidos en la mencionada revista. Contiene artículos referentes a la historia de China durante los siglos xix y xx.

Elisabetta Corsi Se reconstruye un capítulo de la historia de los contactos culturales entre Europa y China durante la última dinastía Qing. Se narra la historia del “Shixue” o “Ciencia de la Visión”, obra de extrema rareza. El libro es una traducción parcial de la Perspectiva Pictorum et Architectorum del Padre Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709), de la Compañía de Jesús, realizada por Nian Xiyao bajo la guía de Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766), “Frater Coadiutor S.I.”.

Setting against a wider context of anthropological and colonial photography, this review presents how and what kind of image of China and of Japan was constructed through nineteenth-century East Asian photography. It also carries out comparative analysis with two other important cultural movements-Chinoiserie and Japonisme-in terms of the most prominent attributes that have been discussed in the key publications so far. The study, finally, further connects to a broad overview of current scholarly background in missionary photography studies. The structure of this study is two general sketches of relevant research backgrounds at the beginning and the end respectively, with a main body text discussing the western imagination of China and Japan in photography, Chinoiserie, and Japonisme, through a closed-up review of existing studies in details.
(*This draft was completed and has been assessed for the First-Year Annual Review for the PhD programme in History, School of History, Classics, and Archaeology, at the University of Edinburgh; please cite it accordingly for any inspiration gained from this review*)

Few religious innovations have shaped Chinese history like the emergence of spirit-writing during the Song dynasty.
From a divinatory technique it evolved into a complex ritual practice used to transmit messages and revelations from the Gods. This resulted in the production of countless religious scriptures that now form an essential corpus, widely venerated and recited to this day, that is still largely untapped by research.
Using historical and ethnographic approaches, this volume for the first time offers a comprehensive overview of the history of spirit-writing, examining its evolution over a millennium, the practices and technologies used, and the communities involved.

Political customs and ceremonies are one of the most important issues in the embassy area. The reception of the ambassador in each epoch had particular customs that originated from the beliefs and convictions of The rule of rulers. The present research was conducted using the historical method and is based on a descriptive-analytical approach that attempts to answer the question, "What were the embassy and the customs of receiving and meeting ambassadors in the Timurid period and on what principles and rules were they based?" using the historiographical works and buildings of the Timurid period. The results of the research show that Timur, despite his aggressive character, did not neglect the function of exchanging ambassadors and that many embassies were held in his time and under his successors with different purposes. On the other hand, the customs and ceremonies of embassy during Timur's time were based on Mongol customs and were supported by the Yasa law. During the period of Shahrukh, Abu Saeed and Sultan Hossein Baiqara, the customs and ceremonies of the embassy tended toward to Iranian-Islamic customs. Shah Rukh overruled Yasa laws in the area of greeting and acceptance. In embassy ceremonies, bringing gifts to Khans and nobles was almost an established principle, and if the ambassadors did not bring gifts, they had trouble fulfilling their mission. Timurid amirs also frequently presented gifts to the envoys. Horses, robes and gold or money were constant components of all gifts. Sultans such as Shahrukh, Abu Saeed and Sultan Husayn Bayqara used books as gifts in their relations. He not only showed himself as an art lover, but also the art and creativity of his courtiers in the field of book design. During this period, ambassadors enjoyed benefits such as political immunity, tax exemption, and other facilities, including lodging, meals, and transportation. Acceptance of the ambassador in this period was not the monopoly of the ruler like during the Mongol era. The Timurid amirs used the customs and ceremonies of the embassy as a tool to show the greatness and glory of their power.

There have been several studies on the newly discovered Tangut dictionary, namely the Zeyao Changchuan Tongming Zazi 擇要常傳同名雜字. However, there are still many problems remaining unsovled. This article begins with an argument that its cover titled 𗑗𗫨𘝦𘃽…… sej1 dwewr2 dźjɨ ˑo2 ‘bodhisattva […]’ originally belongs to a Tangut translation of the Bodhicaryāvatāra by Śantideva from Tibetan. The main body of this article offers a critical edition of its two prefaces, accompanied with Chinese translation and detailed annotations on the meanings of several expressions, including: (a) 𘛐 twụ1, literally ‘straight’, here means ‘(in the way of) sudden enlightenment’; (b) 𗏇𗦻 dji2 mji̱j2, lit. ‘character-name’, here ‘reading, pronunciation’; (c) 𗹙𗣃 tsji̱r1 gjwi2, lit. ‘law-sentences’, here ‘explanation of duties or the dharma’, translated from Tib. chos brjod pa or Skt. dharmākhyāna; (d) 𘇂𗐯 gu2 kiẹj2, lit. ‘middle-area’, here probably refers to Khanbaliq; (e) 𗾖𗸱 go̱r1 no2, lit. ‘master’, here may refer to Wéimíng Dézhào 嵬名德照 or Wùluō Wénxìn 兀囉文信; (f) 𗫂𘈘 tja1 śjwɨ1, a transcription of Tib. dag yig ‘orthography’; (g) 𘂛𘈘 tshe2 śjwɨ1, a transcription of Tib. ’khyug yig ‘cursive script’. By comparing its number of characters with the Suijin 碎金 and the Sancai 三才, we infer that the term 𘆖𗦇 tshjɨ̱1 lew2 ‘those listed’ refers to the number of larger characters, while 𘅤𗦇 rjar1 lew2 ‘those written’ refers to the total number. Finally, we conclude that it is a textbook possibly compiled in the Yuan Dynasty in order to help the less educated population study the Tangut characters, and especially read Buddhist texts accurately. The dictionary still calls for a further investigation, which will be especially beneficial to the reconstruction of Tangut phonology.

Heqin sözcük anlamı olarak akrabalık yoluyla barış anlamına gelmektedir. Heqin politikası ise devletlerarası ilişkileri düzenleyen temel unsur olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Hunlardan sonra Göktürkler döneminde de uygulanan bu politika devletin Çin ile siyasetinde belirleyici rol üstlenmiş, ayrıca devletlerin iç siyaseti de önemli ölçüde politikanın uygulanışını etkilemiştir. Heqin politikası her iki devletin dış politikadaki gücünde, sosyo-kültürel, askeri ve iktisadi durumunda etkili olmuştur ayrıca gelin gönderilen prensesin özel konumu politikadan faydalanan tarafı bir nevi belirlemiş, prensesin tavrının devletlere etkisi kaçınılmaz olmuştur. Bu çalışmaya konu olan Göktürk topraklarına heqin politikası doğrultusunda gelin gönderilen Prenses Qian Jin Çin tarihinde en hüzünlü yaşam hikâyesine sahip prenses olarak görülmektedir. Öyle ki Qian Jin Prenses güçlü Göktürk kağanının hatunu olmasının yanı sıra Çin topraklarında ailesi, devleti (Kuzey Zhou) yok edildiği için şu anki Sui Hanedanlığına muhalefet, intikam duygusuyla hareket eden bir Göktürk hatunudur. Çalışmada Qian Jin Prensesin trajik hayatı, Göktürk-Çin dış siyasetinde ne denli etkili olduğu ve sonuçları ele alınmaya çalışılmıştır.

Educational exchange programs are gaining more attention in scholarly research recently. As a form of cultural diplomacy, they were crucial to expand contacts between the two blocks during the Cold war. France and the People's Republic of China (prc) initiated a student exchange program after the normalization of diplomatic relations (January 1964). Between 1964-1966 thirty-seven French university students went to Beijing to study the Chinese language. Their experience in the People's Republic of China (prc) has been analyzed through the eyes of René Flipo, former French student at the Beijing Language Institute (1965-1966), thanks to the letters he addressed to his family in Tourcoing while he was in the Chinese capital. The study underlines that the Sino-French exchange program had a positive impact on bilateral relations, as it improved mutual understanding and led to the emergence of a new generation of French sinologists, who developed a cosmopolitan outlook.

During the ten years from Wanli 28 to 38 (1600–1610), Hanshan Deqing, then an exiled leading Buddhist master, managed to launch large-scale reforms in Nanhua temple in an attempt to reinvigorate the ancestral temple of Chan Buddhism. Strategically significant though it was, this effort proved eventful and finally came to a tragic end, including the suicide of the temple’s incumbent abbot. How deeply the process of the reforms and their significance can be understood hinges upon the extent to which two puzzles can be tackled. First, how could it have been possible for Deqing, as an exile, to initiate the reforms in such a significant temple in the first place? And how and why did Deqing’s efforts evolve into such a life-and-death confrontation? Keeping these questions in mind, this article reveals how Deqing was able to mobilize resources for initial success by adjusting his strategies according to the situation; how his efforts were conditioned both by domestic situations on the local, regional, and national levels, respectively, and by international elements that characterized the dawn of the global age; and how the reform efforts failed halfway amid the escalating tensions between the new group led by Deqing and Nanhua’s existing monks. This study highlights both the uniqueness of Buddhism in the often-overlooked Lingnan region—which, to a large part, determined the fate of Deqing’s reform—and the vitality and fragility of the ongoing late-Ming Buddhist renewal.

This essay takes a close look at Maura Dykstra's monograph Uncertainty in the Empire of Routine (Harvard Asia Center, 2022). It analyzes the book's multitude of problems, such as its flawed conception, numerous factual blunders, failure to engage existing scholarship, problematic choice of primary sources, and dubious citation practices. Most significantly, this essay aims to provide ample evidence to demonstrate how the book systematically misrepresents the majority of its primary sources to support an untenable thesis. It argues that the book's central claims are ungrounded in evidence.

It has been recognized so far that sound change was not used in order to avoid using a taboo character. Nevertheless, we find examples that suggest that there was indeed a habit of changing sounds to avoid using taboo characters in speech. Such sound changes can be seen not only in the case of state taboo, i.e., avoidance of the given names of emperors, but also in the case of secular taboo, e.g., sound changes of the vocabularies for genitals practiced in the Buddhist society. Interesting enough, these sound changes were not a case of temporary substitution but were used as one of the stable pronunciations of the characters.

This book is a study of twelve major Confucian philosophical concepts and related issues. These are dynamic harmony (he 和), care-centered virtue(ren 仁), ritual propriety(li 禮), filial care (xiao 孝), differen�ated gender equilibrium (bie 别), friendship (you 友), longevity (shou 壽), sagehood (sheng 聖), equality (qi 齊), freedom (ziyou 自由), poli�cs (zheng 政), and educa�on (jiao 教). Each chapter presents something new: a novel interpreta�on from a fresh angle, an insight that has been neglected in scholarship, or a reformed idea that connects tradi�on with modern sensibili�es. Collec�vely they serve as a general introduc�on to progressive Confucian philosophy in the twentyfirst century. To facilitate classroom use, each chapter concludes with a set of study ques�ons to assist students to comprehend key points and to develop their own views.
https://academic.oup.com/book/49411

This text introduces previously overlooked and unrecognized ancient Chinese written evidence that in pre-Columbian times multiple intellectual exchanges took place between Asiatic and North American populations. Here is the long sought sinographic proof that Asiatic explorers not only reached the Americas long before the first European voyagers, but that they interacted positively with Native North American people on multiple occasions over an extended period of time.

Arabic Digital Journalism in India: “Unveiling the Present and Foreseeing the Future”
Abstract:
This research offers a comprehensive exploration of Arabic digital journalism in India, shedding light on its current status and potential trajectory. Beginning with an overview of journalism’s essence, it delves into the emergence of Arabic journalism within India, highlighting the significance of the first two newspapers established in this domain.

The study then delves into the realm of digital journalism, illuminating its definition and discussing the strides made to propel its growth. It examines the various endeavors undertaken to foster the prosperity of this medium, while also uncovering the wide array of opportunities it presents. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of integrating the concerns and perspectives of the Muslim community in India within the fabric of Arabic journalism, recognizing the role it plays in promoting inclusivity and amplifying diverse voices.

In conclusion, this study provides a holistic understanding of the current landscape of Arabic digital journalism in India, offering insights into its potential future trajectory. By examining its historical roots, technological advancements, and areas of growth, it serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders in the field. Ultimately, this research lays the groundwork for informed deliberation and strategic planning to shape the future of Arabic digital journalism in India.
الصحافة العربية الرقمية  في الهند: الواقع والآفاق المستقبلية
مع تطور الإنترنت ظهر نوع جديد من الصحافة وهي الصحافة الرقمية التي تختلف عن الصحافة التقليدية ما يجعلها أسرع من الصحافة التقليدية وأوسع نشرا، وأدت إلى ولع المجتمع بمتابعتها ورصدها لما يستجد، وقد شهد المجتمع الهندي في العقود الأخيرة تطورات سريعة في كافة جوانب الحياة الاقتصادية والسياسية والتكنولوجية، والتي تجسدت في مجال الصحافة العربية أيضا.
يهدف هذا البحث إلى دراسةواقع وإمكانيات هذا النوع من الصحافة العربية في الهند، ويبدأ ببيان مفهوم الصحافة  وظهور الصحافة العربية في الهند مع التركيز على الجريدتين الأوليين، ثم يتناول تعريف الصحافة الرقمية والمجهودات المبذولة والإمكانيات المتوفرة وسبل تحقيقها في هذا المجال باللغة العربية، و ضرورة  تمركز قضية مسلمي الهند في الصحافة العربية الهندية،  وينتهي بالخاتمة

Focusing on a thirteenth century ‘Mongolian gravestone’ in the city of Sendai, Japan, this article reexamines ‘the Mongolian invasions’ twice launched by Khubilai Khan. It is above all an examination of the origin, transformation, and political and religious symbolism of, and the sharply different attitudes towards the ‘Mongolian gravestone’. It studies how Hojo Tokimune, a regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, asked the Chinese Zen master Wuxue Zuyuan to pray for the repose of the souls of the Japanese and Mongol Yuan soldiers killed in the invasions, combining Japanese Shinto traditions with the Buddhist notion of onshin byodo, that is, treating hate and affection alike. It describes the process whereby the Mongolian gravestone was rediscovered and preserved in the eighteenth century, how it gained a dramatic political significance during the Second World War as it was venerated and enshrined by Prince Demchugdonrob, a descendant of Khubilai Khan, and how it was again commemorated by ...

Évek óta porosodik a számítógépemben az apahidai hun tarsolylemez képe. A magyar hieroglifikus (ősvallási kötődésű szójeleket használó) írásemlékek olvasásával kapcsolatos tapasztalat gyarapodása mostanában tette lehetővé a hun tarsolylemez néhány mondatának az elolvasását. A jelek nem rögzítenek olyan összefüggő szövegfolyamot, mint egy mai szerelmes levél, vagy adóbevallás. Csupán néhány korabeli ősvallási jelmondatot olvashatunk el ezekről a nyelvemlékekről. A hun tarsolylemez elolvasásához meg kellett ismerni a jelhasználat módját, a korabeli szabályokat is, mert az jelentősen eltér a ma használatos latin írás jelhasználatától. Ilyen tapasztalat volt elsősorban az, hogy a hieroglifikus írásemlékeink többnyire rövid ősvallási vonatkozású mondatok. A szöveg egyszerűségéért az írástechnológia míves volta és az írásmutatvány páratlan szépsége kárpótol bennünket.

The Origins of Sciences in China / edited by Jiang Xiaoyuan. – Singapour : Springer & Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, 2021. – x, 962 p. – (History of Science and Technology in China ; 1). – 319,93 €. – isbn 978-981-15-7854-0 (version électronique).
The Studies of Heaven and Earth in Ancient China / edited by Jiang Xiaoyuan. – Cham : Springer Nature Switzerland, 2021. – vii, 521 p. – (History of Science and Technology in China ; 2). – 319,93 €. – isbn 978-981-15-7842-7 (version électronique).
Jiang Xiaoyuan 江晓原 (éd.), 源远流长. – Shanghai : Shanghai Jiaotong University Press 上海交通大学出版社, 2016 – (中国科学技术通史 ; 1).
Jiang Xiaoyuan 江晓原 (éd.), 经天纬地. – Shanghai : Shanghai Jiaotong University Press 上海交通大学出版社, 2016 – (中国科学技术通史 ; 2).