Monday, September 26, 2016

Astronomy and Calendars - The Other Chinese Mathematics: 104 BC - AD 1644

Authors:
Martzloff, Jean-Claude

Publication Date:
September 2, 2016

Publisher:
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg




Abstract:

Presented from the viewpoint of the history of mathematics, this book explores both epistemological aspects of Chinese traditional mathematical astronomy and lunisolar calendrical calculations. The following issues are addressed: (1) connections with non-Chinese cultural areas; (2) the possibility or impossibility of using mathematics to predict astronomical phenomena, a question that was constantly raised by the Chinese from antiquity through medieval times; (3) the modes of representation of numbers, and in particular the zero, found in the context of Chinese calendrical calculations; and (4) a detailed analysis of lunisolar calendrical calculations. Fully worked-out examples and comparisons between the results of calculations and the content of Chinese historical calendars from various periods are provided.

Traditional Chinese calendrical and mathematical astronomy consists of permanently reformed mathematical procedures designed to predict, but not explain, phenomena pertaining to astronomy and related areas. Yet, despite appearances, models of the mathematical techniques hidden behind this voluminous corpus reveal that they depend on a limited number of clear-cut mathematical structures. Although only a small fraction of these techniques have been fully studied, what is known surprisingly broadens our knowledge of the history of Chinese mathematics.

Sinologists interested in the history of Chinese science, and anyone interested in the history of Chinese mathematics, the Chinese calendar, and the history of Chinese mathematical astronomy from its origin (104 BC) to its European reform (AD 1644) will find this book very useful. The present English language edition is a fully revised and updated version of the French original. Even though this is a research monograph in sinology, no particular sinological background is required, although a basic understanding of ‘concrete mathematics’ is needed.

Table of contents:

Part I Chinese Astronomical Canons and Calendars
      II Calculations
      III Examples of Calculations
Appendix
Bibliography

Friday, September 23, 2016

殷−中国史最古の王朝

Author:
落合淳思 (OCHIAI Atsushi)

Publisher: 
中央公論新社

Publication Date:
January 22, 2015



Abstract:

殷王朝は、今から三〇〇〇年以上も前に中国に実在した王朝である。酒池肉林に耽る紂王の伝説など、多くの逸話が残されているが、これらは『史記』をはじめとする後世の史書の創作である。いまだ謎多き殷王朝の実像を知るには、同時代資料である甲骨文字を読み解かねばならない。本書は、膨大な数にのぼる甲骨文字から、殷王朝の軍事や祭祀、王の系譜、支配体制と統治の手法などを再現し、解明したものである。

Table of Contents:

序章 甲骨文字に記された殷王朝の社会
第1章 殷王朝の前期・中期
第2章 殷王朝の支配体制
第3章 神々への祭祀儀礼
第4章 戦争と神秘性による支配―紀元前十三世紀
第5章 政治の転換と安定期の到来―紀元前十二世紀
第6章 動揺、集権化、そして滅亡―紀元前十一世紀
終章 殷王朝の歴史的位置


Monday, September 19, 2016

Capital Cities and Urban Form in Pre-modern China: Luoyang, 1038 BCE to 938 CE

Author:
Victor Cunrui Xiong

Publisher:
Routledge

Publication Date:
2016.9.7




Abstract:
Luoyang, situated in present-day Henan province, was one of the great urban centres of pre-Qin and early imperial China, the favoured site for dynastic capitals for almost two millennia. This book, the first in any Western language on the subject, traces the rise and fall of the six different capital cities in the region which served eleven different dynasties from the Western Zhou dynasty, when the first capital city made its appearance in Luoyang, to the great Tang dynasty, when Luoyang experienced a golden age. It examines the political histories of these cities, explores continuity and change in urban form with a particular focus on city layouts and landmark buildings, and discusses the roles of religions, especially Buddhism, and illustrious city residents. Overall the book provides an accessible survey of a broad sweep of premodern Chinese urban history.


Table of Contents:

Introduction

1. Genesis: From Luoyi 洛邑 to Wangcheng 王城

2. Eastern Han Luoyang: The Imperial Capital

3. Towards a National Metropolis: Cao-Wei and Western Jin Luoyang

4. Rebirth and Destruction: Northern Wei Luoyang

5. The Sui Eastern Capital

6. Tang Luoyang I: A Historical Perspective

7. Tang Luoyang II: Physical Characteristics

8. Tang Luoyang III: The Inhabitants


9. Epilogue

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

呉越春秋:呉越興亡の歴史物語

Translator:
佐藤武敏 (Sato Taketoshi) 

Publisher:
平凡社

Publication Date:
July, 2016




Abstract:

中国の春秋時代末期、中原の覇権をめぐって激しく争った南方の列国である呉と越の盛衰を描く『呉越春秋』が、東洋文庫の新刊として初めて日本語に翻訳されました。

原著者は後漢の趙曄です。日本においてもよく知られている「臥薪嘗胆」や「呉越同舟」、「会稽の恥」の故事は、呉越間での相克の歴史に由来しており、呉王の夫差と越王の勾践という両雄が繰り広げる復讐劇が本書の大きな魅力になっています。また、祖国である楚から呉に亡命し、呉の賢臣として楚への復讐を果たすことに成功する一方、最後は主君である夫差によって冷遇された伍子胥の物語も有名です。

本書の解説部では、訳者である佐藤武敏氏が『呉越春秋』の成立過程に関して説明を行っているだけではなく、同書と同年代に書かれ、呉越の歴史を扱った『越絶書』との比較をしています。

『呉越春秋』を通じて、日本においても馴染みのある故事成語の起源や背景を知ることができるだけではなく、歴史小説を読むような感覚で、呉越を中心とした春秋時代の中国史を学ぶことができます。

Table of Contents:

凡例
地図
上巻
第一 呉太伯伝(呉の太伯の伝記)
第二 呉王寿夢伝(呉王寿夢の伝記)
第三 王僚使公子光伝(王僚の伝記と公子光・伍子胥が王僚を殺した顛末)
第四 闔閭内伝(闔閭の伝記)
第五 夫差内伝(夫差の伝記)
下巻
第六 越王無余外伝(越王無余の伝記)
第七 勾践入臣外伝(勾践、呉の臣となった伝え)
第八 勾践帰国外伝(勾践帰国後の決意)
第九 勾践陰謀外伝(勾践の陰謀)
第十 勾践伐呉外伝(勾践が呉を伐った次第と後日譚)
解説(佐藤武敏)

Friday, September 9, 2016

The Shenzi Fragments: A Philosophical Analysis and Translation 慎子

Annotator:
Eirik Lang Harris

Publication Date:
September 20, 2016

Publisher:
Columbia University Press






Abstract:


The Shenzi Fragments is the first complete translation in any Western language of the extent work of Shen Dao (350–275 B.C.E.). Though his writings have been recounted and interpreted in many texts, particularly in the work of Xunzi and Han Fei, very few Western scholars have encountered the political philosopher's original, influential formulations. This volume contains both a translation and analysis of the Shenzi fragments, explaining their distillation of the potent political theories circulating in China during the Warring States period, along with their seminal relationship to the Taoist and Legalist traditions and the philosophies of the Lüshi Chunqiu and the Huainanzi. These fragments outline a rudimentary theory of political order modeled on the natural world that recognizes the role of human self-interest in maintaining stable rule. Casting the natural world as an independent, amoral system, Shen Dao situates the source of moral judgment firmly within the human sphere, prompting political philosophy to develop in realistic directions. Harris's sophisticated translation is paired with commentary that clarifies difficult passages and obscure references. For sections open to multiple interpretations, he offers resources for further research and encourages readers to follow their own path to meaning, much as Shen Dao intended in his work. This volume offers a chance for English-language readers to grasp the full significance of Shen Dao's work among the pantheon of Chinese intellectuals.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments
Conventions and Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I: A Philosophical Study of the Shenzi Fragments
Shen Dao's Political Philosophy
Shen Dao in the Early Chinese Intellectual Milieu
Part II: A Translation of the Shenzi Fragments
Appendix: Conversion and Finding Chart
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Monday, September 5, 2016

中国古代史論集―政治・民族・術数―

Editor:
早稲田大学長江流域文化研究所

Publication Date:
September 5, 2016

Publisher:
雄山閣


Abstract:

「早稲田大学長江流域文化研究所」が推進してきた、日中共同研究プロジェクトの協力者による中国古代史の最新研究論文集。

Table of Contents:

序 文  (工藤元男)

出土資料より見た西周王朝と諸侯の関係
―河南・湖北・山西地域の西周墓葬の分析を中心として ―( 岡本真則)

「息嬀説話」考
― その変遷から見た春秋時代における女性の再婚の位置づけ ―(平林美理)

里耶秦簡よりみた秦辺境における軍事組織の構造と運用(小林文治)

秦漢「県官」考(水間大輔)

前漢文帝期における顧租公鋳法に関する一考察(池田敦志)

三国時代西南夷の社会と生活(柿沼陽平)

後漢安帝の親政とその統治の構造(渡邉将智)

「士王」考 ― 士燮神格化までの過程と評価の変遷 ―(川手翔生)

慕容政権遷都考 ― 五胡十六国時代における胡族「侵入」の一形態 ― (峰雪幸人)

『儀礼』に見える「筮」について ―『易経』の成立に関する一考察 ― (川村 潮)

告地書と葬送習俗(森 和)

出土資料に見える刑徳七舎とその運行理論の相異について(小倉 聖)

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Chinese History and Culture: Sixth Century B.C.E. to Seventeenth Century

Author:
Ying-shih Yü 余英時

Publisher:
Columbia University Press

Publication Date:
September 20, 2016




Abstract:

The recipient of the Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the humanities and the Tang Prize for "revolutionary research" in Sinology, Ying-shih Yü is a premier scholar of Chinese studies. Chinese History and Culture volumes 1 and 2 bring his extraordinary oeuvre to English-speaking readers. Spanning two thousand years of social, intellectual, and political change, the essays in these volumes investigate two central questions through all aspects of Chinese life: as an ancient civilization, what core values sustained Chinese culture through centuries of upheaval; and in what ways did these values survive or Westernize in modern times?

From Yü Ying-shih's perspective, the Dao, or the Way constitutes the inner core of Chinese civilization. These essays explore the unique dynamics between Chinese intellectuals' discourse on the Dao or moral principles for a symbolized ideal world order and their criticism of contemporary reality throughout Chinese history. Volume 1 explores how the Dao was reformulated, expanded, defended, and preserved by Chinese intellectuals up to the seventeenth century, guiding them through history's darkest turns. Essays incorporate the evolving conception of the soul and the afterlife in pre- and post-Buddhist China, the significance of eating practices and social etiquette, the move toward greater individualism, the rise of the Neo-Daoist movement, the spread of Confucian ethics, and the growth of merchant culture and capitalism. A true panorama of Chinese culture's continuities and transition, this two-volume collection gives readers of all backgrounds a unique education in the meaning of Chinese civilization.

Table of Contents:

Author's Preface

Editorial Note

List of Abbreviations

Chronology of Dynasties

1. Between the Heavenly and the Human

2. Life and Immortality in the Mind of Han China

3. "O Soul, Come Back!" A Study in the Changing Conceptions of the Soul and Afterlife in Pre-Buddhist China

4. New Evidence on the Early Chinese Conception of Afterlife

5. Food in Chinese Culture: The Han Period

6. The Seating Order at the Hong Men Banquet

7. Individualism and the Neo-Daoist Movement in Wei-Jin China

8. Intellectual Breakthroughs in the Tang-Song Transition 

9. Morality and Knowledge in Zhu Xi's Philosophical System 

10. Confucian Ethics and Capitalism

11. Business Culture and Chinese Traditions-Toward a Study of the Evolution of Merchant Culture in Chinese History

12. Reorientation of Confucian Social Thought in the Age of Wang Yangming

13. The Intellectual World of Jiao Hong Revisited

14. Toward an Interpretation of Intellectual Transition in the Seventeenth Century

Acknowledgments

Appendix

The John W. Kluge Prize Address and The Tang Prize for Sinology Acceptance Speech

Index