The Age of Confucian Rule: The Song Transformation of China The Song Transformation of China

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the most advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, China was home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history, we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorably compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Song transformation surpassed. With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class of scholar-officials—products of a meritocratic examination system—took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned capitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offered advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving, ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist’s eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent military threats from these nomadic tribes—which the Chinese scorned as their cultural inferiors—redefined China’s understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meant to be Chinese. The Age of Confucian Rule is an essential introduction to this transformative era. “A scholar should congratulate himself that he has been born in such a time” (Zhao Ruyu, 1194).

just Over A Thousand Years Ago, The Song Dynasty Emerged As The Most Advanced Civilization On Earth. Within Two Centuries, China Was Home To Nearly Half Of All Humankind. In This Concise History, We Learn Why The Inventiveness Of This Era Has Been Favorably Compared With The European Renaissance, Which In Many Ways The Song Transformation Surpassed.

with The Chaotic Dissolution Of The Tang Dynasty, The Old Aristocratic Families Vanished. A New Class Of Scholar-officials—products Of A Meritocratic Examination System—took Up The Task Of Reshaping Chinese Tradition By Adapting The Precepts Of Confucianism To A Rapidly Changing World. Through Fiscal Reforms, These Elites Liberalized The Economy, Eased The Tax Burden, And Put Paper Money Into Circulation. Their Redesigned Capitals Buzzed With Traders, While The Education System Offered Advancement To Talented Men Of Modest Means. Their Rationalist Approach Led To Inventions In Printing, Shipbuilding, Weaving, Ceramics Manufacture, Mining, And Agriculture. With A Realist’s Eye, They Studied The Natural World And Applied Their Observations In Art And Science. And With The Souls Of Diplomats, They Chose Peace Over War With The Aggressors On Their Borders. Yet Persistent Military Threats From These Nomadic Tribes—which The Chinese Scorned As Their Cultural Inferiors—redefined China’s Understanding Of Its Place In The World And Solidified A Sense Of What It Meant To Be Chinese.

the Age Of Confucian Rule Is An Essential Introduction To This Transformative Era. “a Scholar Should Congratulate Himself That He Has Been Born In Such A Time” (zhao Ruyu, 1194).

c. Schirokauer - Choice

the First Four Chapters Of This Well-researched, Clearly Written Book Present A Balanced Synopsis Of The Political, Institutional, And Military History Of Song And Its Neighbors During Some Three Centuries, When This Was 'the Most Advanced Civilization On Earth.' The Remaining Eight Chapters Deal With Thought, Life Cycle Rituals, Poetry And Painting, Education And The Examination System, Dynastic Capitals, The World Of Production, Money And Taxation, Private Lives, And The Public Sphere. The Author's Enthusiasm Is Matched By His Erudition And Outstanding Expertise In Song Material Culture As He Ranges Widely From The Plethora Of Goods For Sale In Bustling Shops And Markets To The Origins Of Foot Binding, And Finds Space For Dental Hygiene As Well As Tomb Construction...scholars Already Versed In The Period Can Learn Much From This Book, While Those Just Beginning To Delve Into Chinese History Are Very Well Served.

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the most advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, China was home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history, we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorably compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Song transformation surpassed. With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class of scholar-officials—products of a meritocratic examination system—took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned capitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offered advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving, ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist's eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent military threats from these nomadic tribes—which the Chinese scorned as their cultural inferiors—redefined China's understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meant to be Chinese. The Age of Confucian Rule is an essential introduction to this transformative era. "A scholar should congratulate himself that he has been born in such a time" (Zhao Ruyu, 1194).

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as themost advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, Chinawas home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history,we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorablycompared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Songtransformation surpassed. With the chaotic dissolution of the Tangdynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class ofscholar-officials-products of a meritocratic examinationsystem-took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adaptingthe precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Throughfiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the taxburden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesignedcapitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offeredadvancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalistapproach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving,ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist'seye, they studied the natural world and applied their observationsin art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chosepeace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistentmilitary threats from these nomadic tribes-which the Chinesescorned as their cultural inferiors-redefined China's understandingof its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meantto be Chinese. The Age of Confucian Rule is an essentialintroduction to this transformative era. "A scholar shouldcongratulate himself that he has been born in such a time" (ZhaoRuyu, 1194).

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the most advanced civiliation on Earth. Within two centuries, China was home to nearly half of humankind. In this history we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorable compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways, the Song transformation surpassed. With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class of scholar-officials, products of a meritocratic examination system, took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned capitals buzzed with traders, while, the education system offered advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving, ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist's eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent military threats from these nomadic tribes, which the Chinese scorned as their cultural inferiors, redefined China's understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meant to be Chinese Explores the history of China between the Mongol reunification of China in 1279 under the Yuan dynasty and the Manchu invasion four centuries later, explaining how climate changes profoundly affected the empire during this period.