First published in 1998, the papers in this second volume by Donald Holzman are concerned with the themes of religion and poetry and song in early medieval China. Religion is to the fore in the first two sections, dealing with Daoist immortals and their cult, as reflected in poetic works of the first three centuries ad, with songs used in religious ceremonies, and with the origins and history of the cold food festival. The last group of articles includes a major study of the poems of Ji Kang (223-262) as well as other poetry of the 4th-5th centuries, and an analysis of the changing image of the merchant from the 4th to the 9th centuries.

Reviews
'...this is a collection which deserves to be read at the very least by everyone with any interest in the social, religious or literary history of China...' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Vol. 62, No. 2 'This book is a most valuable collection of the writings of the leading Western authority on medieval Chinese literature and history. As we have come to expect, these articles are models of learning, clarity and rigor...The articles on Cao Zhi, the cold-food festival, and the poetry of Ji Kang are all classics. They shall long remain the definitive works on these subjects.' Revue Bibliographique de Sinologie 'The quality and scope of Holzman's work is such that I cannot do justice to all that is contained in this volume...This collection is of a uniformly high standard. In particular, Holzman's translations of his primary sources are impeccable, whether he writes in English or in French. His familiarity with the material and with the very latest secondary scholarship in Chinese and European languages makes him a trustworthy guide through what can be a baffling and obscure period in Chinese history...I recommend this book to everyone interested in medieval China, as it contains materials which have not even been touched by other scholars.' Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 9, No. 3 Joint review of Immortals, Festivals, and Poetry in Medieval China and Chinese Literature in Transition from Antiquity to the Middle Ages 'For over forty years Donald Holzman has been a leading figure in the study of early medieval Chinese literature...A selection of his articles has now been brought together in two volumes from Ashgate's 'Variorum' series, which will greatly ease the library labours of students and scholars wishing to consult this or that article in journal, conference volume, or Festschrift...A third volume of new articles will soon need to be added to the two we have here. The Holzman A"uvre is one of the most significant



Book Information
ISBN 9781138386808
Author Donald Holzman
Format Paperback
Page Count 335
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g