Calligraphy and Power in Contemporary Chinese Society

by Yuehping Yen

Overview

This unusual and interesting book is a fascinating account of the world of Chinese writing. It examines Chinese space and the political and social use of writing as propaganda, a publicity booster and as a ladder for social climbing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415317535
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/12/2005
Series:	Anthropology of Asia
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Introduction: The Abode of Calligraphic Inscriptions 1. Dances with Power: Public Calligraphy and its Social Effects 2. Becoming a Person Through Wen 3. Handwriting and Personhood 4. Body-Person Engineering: Brush Techniques and Calligraphic Composition 5. Brush Work: Alternative Bodybuilding 6. Ideograms and Knowledge 7. Characters Reloaded Bibliography Glossary

Editorial Reviews

'This is a very good book. Yen is both insightful in her analysis of the sources and implications of the aura of Chinese writing and careful in her discussions of how people think about characters.' - China Journal

From the Publisher