Going Up the River in the Song Dynasty

The scroll painting known as Qingming Shanghe tu is a vividly detailed record of life in a Song Dynasty city and suburbs. Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145) gets credit for the original, but the Qing emperors in the 18th century commissioned teams of painters who reflected in their versions the Manchu peaceable kingdom.

The title is problematic and has been translated as "City of Cathay," but Wikipedia in its wisdom lists it as "Along the River During the Qing Ming Festival." The article gives a confused account but has links to several versions available online.

The first image here is from the earliest version, now in Beijing. You will see that in addition to being old and faded, is was more austere than the almost posterish colors of the Qing dynasty versions. The "rainbow bridge" is probably legendary, not actual, but it displays the advanced bridge technology of the time.

The second image shows an outdoor theater, probably playing a Chinese opera.

The third image shows the lively commerce going into the city, reminding us that the Song had a national currency and international trade not only in luxuries but rice and industrial products.

Other parts of the scroll, available through the links in the Wikipedia article, show the shops, restaurants, wine shops (complete with a customer puking over the railing).

A theater

The city gate

A Manga Life of Buddha

This is a page from Vol 2 of Osamu Tezuka's Buddha (New York: Vertical, 2003) a six volume graphic life of Gautama Buddha. They are available in paperback for less than $10 apiece.

East Asian History Web and Printed Resources

East Asian History is a well selected group of links to major internet resources on China, Japan, and Korea put up by the Program in Social Studies and Global Education, The Ohio State University in 2003.

Although it does not seem to have been modified since then, the site is useful because there are not too many sources, not too few -- just right. The most useful sites are marked with "Favorite.

China Digital Times

China Digital Times Describes itself as "collaborative news website covering China’s social and political transition and its emerging role in the world. We aim to aggregate the most up-to-the-minute news and analysis about China from around the Web, while providing independent reporting, translations from Chinese cyberspace, and perspectives from across the geographical, political and social spectrum."

In plain language: "a great way to keep track of what's up in China."

Reports are tagged, so that you can easily search and find articles on practically any subject you want, including political reform, environmental crisis, the Olympics (major coverage), Christianity, one child policy... well, you name it.

There is a CDT Slideshows, Photos (both downloadable), Cartoons, Satire, and reviews in the CDT Bookshelf,

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Minneapolis Institute of Arts website Arts of Asia is extensive but not overwhelming in presenting Chinese history with an emphasis on art and culture. The art works are explained and background given, though there is probably more pottery than most students would want.

There are excellent sections of History and Maps for China, Japan, and Korea showing historical development.

The section on Buddhism is especially well done.

Additional Resources includes Teaching the Arts, Further Reading, and Glossary.

Highly recommended to those with an interest in art.

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/introduction/

Chinese Fable Stories in English

Although intended for beginning English readers (pre-school), this series of online reader uses flash technology to incorporate basic animation with story telling. It's a great beginning to learning about Chinese stories and fables.

http://www.starfall.com/n/level-c/chinese-fables/load.htm?f