China in the Past
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Summary
If the choices humans made at various points in time and space are connected by causality, history forms a network of interwoven threads. Observing the lives of ordinary ancient Chinese, Takeuchi attempts to connect these causal points in history and sketch a picture of how people once lived in China. In this picture, people have social attributes along the “private” and “public” dimensions, and these two attributes intertwine in fascinating ways. From Qin Shi Huang to Puyi, life went on in this manner for two thousand years.
In the society of a new era, how can one make life perfect? How can one live safely through life? How should one think? How should one conduct oneself in the world? The author believes answers and inspiration for these questions can be found in ancient Chinese history.
Editor's review
As a Japanese scholar of China, Takeuchi combines the detachment of an “outsider” with scholarly depth. He excels at finding historical folds in the commonplace; his analysis, for example, of the social significance of the “seating revolution” (from sitting on the floor to using chairs) reveals how material civilization subtly changes social structure and ritual concepts. This cross-cultural perspective offers a mirror for reexamining local history and is especially suited to readers who already have a basic knowledge of history and wish to break out of established frameworks.
The book’s value lies in its methodological insight: history exists not only in court documents but is also engraved in the daily life of ordinary people. The writing is plain but the scholarship is solid; each short essay is like a delicate archaeological excavation, retrieving overlooked historical details from etymologies, images, and artifacts. Although some views may be disputed among professional historians, the book is highly inspiring as a work that stimulates historical imagination and cultivates observation. It reminds us that to understand a civilization, one must survey the lie of its mountains and also examine the grain of its sand and stones.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- History enthusiasts interested in the social history of daily life and material culture in China
- Readers seeking to break away from the traditional dynastic history framework and find new perspectives on historical research
- Readers of social-science books who enjoy interpreting cultural change through everyday objects
- Those with research interests in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange and cross-cultural observation
Not a good fit for
- Beginners seeking a systematic, comprehensive narrative of Chinese general history
- Readers expecting academic monographs with extensive archival sources or rigorous argumentation
Reading tips
- Start by browsing the table of contents and begin with the chapters on objects that interest you, such as “Tofu” or “Chairs.”
- While reading, compare with works by Chinese scholars on similar subjects (e.g., Yang Zhishui’s Seeing Pictures in Things) to appreciate the difference in perspective.
- Each essay is short and suited to fragmented reading time, but taking simple notes to connect the themes across chapters is recommended.
About the publisher
New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.
Contents
- 版权信息
- “有邻”丛书 发现不同视角下的中国
- 前言
- 第一章 家族的肖像
- 墨子的“兼爱”
- 孟子的墨子批判
- 孟子与墨子的相同前提
- 旧中国的“家”与“家族”观念
- “气”的承继
- 同居共财
- 多代人同居的样貌
- 缘坐的构想
- 第二章 制度化家族的存在形式
- 极其复杂的服丧制度
- 最为重量级的斩衰
- 齐衰、大功、小功、缌麻
- 皇帝也非例外
- “哀悼之心”的制度化
- 专注服丧的义务
- 国家指定的重大犯罪——十恶
- 不孝为恶性犯罪
- 第三章 孝与不孝的诸多形态
- 不孝的内涵
- 女性之不孝
- 《孝经》的主张
- 《孝经》的作用
- 孝子的凄惨
- 中国人是怎样生活的
- 古代中国式“孝”的引进
- 人类应该怎样生活
- 第四章 天生民
- 天与民
- 官吏存在的理由
- 民父母
- 第五章 中国不可思议的官吏
- 中国不可思议的官吏（一）
- 中国不可思议的官吏（二）
- 中国不可思议的官吏（三）
- 第六章 “官”的魅力
- 做官的理由
- 紧张的君臣关系
- 基本工资很低
- 额外收入的形式
- 惊人的“耗羡”
- 三年清知府 十万雪花银
- 第七章 对“官”的憧憬与厌恶
- 成为官吏的方法（一）
- 儒家经典的内容
- 成为官吏的方法（二）
- 拒绝出仕！
- 第八章 世界成立的理论
- “公”处于优势地位的社会
- 嵇康的罪名
- 沙门不敬王者
- 终章 生于家族，生于社会
- 后记
- 参考文献
FAQ
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About the author
Takeuchi Yasuhiro is a Japanese author whose work currently available to Chinese-language readers is limited to a single title, China in the Past, and reliable public information about him is scarce. According to the available records, he writes in the field of history books, and this work is classified accordingly. The title suggests that the book turns its attention to China's past, focusing on everyday life, social conditions, or cultural details rather than grand narratives, which is close to the common approach of Japanese scholars who write history for general readers. Since no reliable records of his birth and death dates, education, or professional career are available, no speculation is offered here. For readers, it is better to first learn about his choice of material and way of telling stories through this work than to focus on the author's titles, and then judge its readability. At present, Takeuchi Yasuhiro can only be understood through this one work; should further translations appear, his profile as a writer may become clearer.
Song Gang is an author whose works span a remarkably wide range of subjects. Public information about him is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and professional background cannot be confirmed. The library holds eight of his works, covering medicine, popular science, finance and economics, management, history, and classic literature. In medicine, he has written Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Bladder Cancer and Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer, as well as the popular-science volume The Wonders of Human Urology. His finance and management titles include The Silver Economy: Business Opportunities in an Aging Era and Behavioral Economics Made Fascinating: Overcoming Irrationality in Business and Life. He has also addressed historical and cultural themes in works such as China in the Past and Chinese Culture in Japan, along with Blue Hawaii. Judging from these titles, he is able to handle specialized medical topics while making science, economics, and history accessible to a broad readership.
