James L. Watson and Evelyn S. Rawski, editors
Death Ritual in Late Imperial and Modern China
$26.95, £18.95 paperback
9780520071292
Available Now
During the late imperial era (1500-1911), China, though divided by ethnic, linguistic, and regional differences at least as great as those prevailing in Europe, enjoyed a remarkable solidarity. What held Chinese society together for so many centuries? Some scholars have pointed to the institutional control over the written word as instrumental in promoting cultural homogenization; others, the manipulation of the performing arts. This volume, comprised of essays by both anthropologists and historians, furthers this important discussion by examining the role of death rituals in the unification of Chinese culture.
"To single out any one essay in this collection is difficult. All of them are of interest, and all of them reflect superb scholarship. Taken as a whole, this is an important book in the field of China studies and a book that should be of interest to anthropologists whatever their area of interest may be."—American Ethnologist
"An excellent book, a valuable resource for students of Chinese society, religion, and the roles of women. . . . Highly recommended."—Daniel L. Overmyer, Pacific Affairs
"An excellent book, a valuable resource for students of Chinese society, religion, and the roles of women. . . . Highly recommended."—Daniel L. Overmyer, Pacific Affairs
Susan Naquin, "Funerals in North China: Uniformity and Variation"
Stuart E. Thompson, "Feeding the Dead: The Role of Food in Chinese Funerary Ritual" James L. Watson, "Pollution, Performance, and the Structure of Rites"
Elizabeth L. Johnson, "Grieving for the Dead, Grieving for the Living: Funeral Laments of Hakka Women"
Emily Martin, "Gender and Ideological Differences in Representations of Life and Death" Myron L. Cohen, "Souls and Salvation: Conflicting Themes in Chinese Popular Religion"
Rubie S. Watson, "Remembering the Dead: Graves and Politics in South China"
Evelyn S. Rawski, "The Imperial Way of Death"
Frederic Wakeman, Jr., "Mao's Remains"
Martin K. Whyte, "Death in the People's Republic of China"
Stuart E. Thompson, "Feeding the Dead: The Role of Food in Chinese Funerary Ritual" James L. Watson, "Pollution, Performance, and the Structure of Rites"
Elizabeth L. Johnson, "Grieving for the Dead, Grieving for the Living: Funeral Laments of Hakka Women"
Emily Martin, "Gender and Ideological Differences in Representations of Life and Death" Myron L. Cohen, "Souls and Salvation: Conflicting Themes in Chinese Popular Religion"
Rubie S. Watson, "Remembering the Dead: Graves and Politics in South China"
Evelyn S. Rawski, "The Imperial Way of Death"
Frederic Wakeman, Jr., "Mao's Remains"
Martin K. Whyte, "Death in the People's Republic of China"
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