Urbanization in Early and Medieval China: Gazetteers for the City of Suzhou

Translator:
Olivia Milburn

Publication Year:
2015

Publisher:
University of Washington Press

Abstract:

The heart of Urbanization in Early and Medieval China consists of translations of three gazetteers written during the Han (206 BCE-220 CE), Tang (618-907), and Northern Song (960-1126) dynasties describing the city of Suzhou. The texts allow the reader to trace the dramatic changes that occurred as the city experienced enormous political and social upheavals over nine centuries. Each translation is accompanied by extensive annotation and a detailed discussion of the historical background of the text, authorship, and publication history.

The book also traces the development of the gazetteer genre, the history of urban planning in China, and what we know about the early development of Suzhou from other texts and archaeological research.

Urbanization in Early and Medieval China will be useful not only to scholars of Chinese history, but to scholars studying architecture and urban planning as well.

Table of Contents:

A note on nomenclature
Chronology
Introduction

[Part 1] Three gazetteers of Suzhou
Tales of the lands of Wu
Record of the lands of Wu
Supplementary records to the "Illustrated guide to Wu commandery"

[Part 2] Commentary
Analysis and comparisons

Conclusion
Glossary