Daily Life in Traditional China: The Tang Dynasty

By Charles Benn

Book Overview

This thorough exploration of the aspects of everyday life in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) provides fascinating insight into a culture and time that is often misunderstood, especially by those from western cultures. Here students will find the details of what life was really like for these people. How was their society structured? How did they entertain themselves? What sorts of food did they eat? The answers to these and other questions are provided in full detail to bring this golden age of Chinese culture alive for the modern reader.

Based mainly on classical translations from the Chinese themselves, each chapter addresses a specific aspect of daily living in the voices of those who lived during the time. A myriad of interesting details are provided to help readers discover, among other things, what life was like in the city, what homes and gardens were like, how the role's of men and women differed, and the many rituals in which people participated. Detailed descriptions of the clothes and materials people wore, the games they played and the cooking methods they used for specific foods provide readers with the ability to experiment on their own to recreate the time and place, so they can have a better understanding of this intriguing culture.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0313309558
• ISBN13: 9780313309557
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Great History Book, Quite Enjoyable

If ancient Chinese history is more in your interest, I suggest reading this book. Benn does a thorough investigation of Tang Dynasty life, encompassing religion, household life, and the aristocracy. This is a must read if you find this era of Chinese history fascinating... I enjoyed his section about how the Daoist and Buddhist were constantly trying to lure people into their churches, and also how positions within the Buddhist church could be bought- and people think Catholics were bad!

Easy, informative reading

A light, easy to read rendition of Tang history. Focuses on the everyday aspects of Tang society. The subject matter is neatly presented in chapters labeled Society; Cities and Urban Life; Clothes and Hygiene; Food and Feasts; or Leisure and Entertainment. I appreciated the book's drawings, especially of Tang hairstyles and clothing, which heavily influenced Japanese traditional clothing thereafter. Overall, a peek into Tang commoners' daily life is a refreshing change from usual history material. Unfortunately, I have to deduct 1 star here because the author, for unknown reason, kept referring to sixth Tang emperor Xuanzong by his anglicized moniker "Illustrious August", which casts a fortune cookie feel over an otherwise enjoyable read.

China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty

A very informative publication of life in the Tang dynasty. Well written (although sometimes meandering) and an easy read.