Dragon's Brain Perfume: An Historical Geography of Camphor (Brill's Indological Library, V. 14)

In the Dragon's Brain Perfume (a Chinese description of Camphor) once more the existence and importance of world systems of exchange becomes clear. In the pre-industrial world aromatic substances have always counted among the most prominent items of long-distance trade. The finest camphor came from Malaya, Borneo and Sumatra, but long-distance trade took it to societies at the geographical poles of demand - China and the medieval West already in late Antiquity (ca. 6th century A.D.). In India it was in use at an even much earlier period. The present monograph opens with a survey of aromata generally - origins, time and place of demand - from the Ancient Civilizations to the Age of Discoveries. Chapter two concerns the natural history of camphor; subsequent chapters are organized by regions ( India, Western Asia, the medieval West, South East Asia, China and Japan ), with a postscript on Origins and Diffusion. Evidence is drawn from an extensive range of sources in natural and cultural history.The work includes 15 original maps, 28 illustrations, and an extensive bibliography. Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents MAPS FIGURES Acknowledgements Preface Chapter 1: Aromata Nature and Use Sources of Supply Time and Place of Demand Ancient and Classical Civilizations Jews and Arabs and Early Christians The Medieval West and the Age of Discoveries Chapter 2: Camphor Nature Extraction, Purification, Adulteration False Camphors Minor Sources of Camphor Major Sources of Camphor Dryobalanops aromatica Scientific Nomenclature Territorial Distributions Description and Ecology Timber Cinnamomum camphora Scientific Nomenclature Territorial Distributions Description and Ecology Record and Legend in China and Japan before ca. 1300 Local Expansion and Regional Destruction Distant Introductions and Cultivation Timber Blumea balsamifera Scientific Nomenclature Description, Territorial Distribution, Ecology Folk Nomenclature Camphor of Dryobalanops sp. and Cinnamomum sp. Euro-Indonesian Zone Sino-Japanese Zone Camphor of Blumea balsamifera Chapter 3: India Malabar Camphor External Sources of Supply Uses of Camphor Medicinal Personal and Domestic Ceremonial Chapter 4: Western Asia Late Antiquity and the Pre-Islamic Near East Jewish International Merchants, the Rādhāniya The Arabo-Persian World under Islām Literary Sources Properties and Categories of Camphor Environment and the Mythology of Production Areas of Production India Malay Peninsula Sumatra Trade Uses of Camphor Pharmacy and Materia Medica Fumigants and Perfumes Chapter 5: The Medieval West Southern Bridgeheads Greeks and Jews Arabs and Jews Southern France Northern Italy North of the Alps and the Pyrenees Uses of Camphor Alchemy and Pyrotechnics Medicine Chapter 6: South East Asia Blumea sp. and Blumea camphor Dryobalanops camphor Collection Camphor Speech Other Rituals and Superstitions Uses of Camphor Medicinal and Funerary Betel Trade Traditional Trade Imperial Trade Chapter 7: China and Japan The Supply of Camphor Lung-nao-hsiang. Dragon’s Brain Perfume Malay Peninsula North-western Borneo, P’o-ni Sumatra Tribute Ai (ngai): Blumea camphor, and chang-nao: Cinnamomum camphor Uses of Camphor Aromata Materia Medica Postscript: Origins and Modes of Diffusion Bibliography of Works Cited Indices Persons Places and Regions Biological Categories: Orders to Species Ethnics Titles of Works Quoted in the Text General In The Dragon's Brain Perfume (a Chinese Description Of Camphor) Once More The Existence And Importance Of World Systems Of Exchange Becomes Clear. In The Pre-industrial World Aromatic Substances Have Always Counted Among The Most Prominent Items Of Long-distance Trade. The Present Monograph Opens With A Survey Of Aromata Generally - Origins, Time And Place Of Demand - From The Ancient Civilizations To The Age Of Discoveries. Chapter Two Concerns The Natural History Of Camphor; Subsequent Chapters Are Organized By Regions (india, Western Asia, The Medieval West, South East Asia, China And Japan), With A Postscript On Origins And Diffusion. Evidence Is Drawn From An Extensive Range Of Sources In Natural And Cultural History. The Work Includes Is Original Maps, 28 Illustrations, And An Extensive Bibliography.--book Jacket. By R.a. Donkin. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Camphor - origin, distribution, disposal, use - is here examined in the wider context of Old World aromata . Evidence is drawn from an extensive range of sources in natural and cultural history. Fifteen original maps, twenty-eight other illustrations, and extensive bibliography.