Chiang Yee’s Chinese Calligraphy: An Introduction to Its Aesthetic and Technique remains the classic introduction to Chinese calligraphy. In eleven richly illustrated chapters, Chiang explores the aesthetics and the technique of this art in which rhythm, line, and structure are perfectly embodied. He measures the slow change from pictograph to stroke to the style and shape of written characters by the great calligraphers.In addition to aesthetic considerations, the text de...

This book, first published in 1935, examines the world of Chinese painting: the background, styles, audience and reception, intentions and achievements. Written with a Western readership in mind, it intends to put Chinese visual art in the perspective of its history and culture, and clarify its ideas and meanings.

The 8-in-1 CHINESE CLASSICS brings together in one volume some of the greatest Chinese clazzical writings of all time. Here, in full, are:THE ART OF WAR (the full 13 chapters)THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS (the full 20 chapters)THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS (the full 28 chapters)THE SHI CHING (aka: Shi King or The Book of Songs - the full 4 Parts, 29 'Books')THE TRAVELS OF FA HIEN (40 chapters)THE SORROWS OF HAN (4 Acts)

'The Master said, "If a man sets his heart on benevolence, he will be free from evil"'The Analects are a collection of Confucius's sayings brought together by his pupils shortly after his death in 497 BC. Together they express a philosophy, or a moral code, by which Confucius believed everyone should live. Upholding the ideals of wisdom, self-knowledge, courage and love of one's fellow man, he argued that the pursuit of virtue should be every individual's supreme goal. And...

Hundreds of sage observations from China's most revered scholarTeacher, politician, philosopher, and student, Confucius offered wisdom and aphorisms on a variety of topics that transcend borders and time. Whether considering his own life, human nature, or a society's responsibilities, Confucius's teachings emphasize personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. He aimed to effect social and political reform, and le...

In this fascinating and comprehensive collection of Chinese myths and legends, E. T. C. Werner drew upon material readily available to him as a member of the Chinese government's' Historiographical Bureau in Peking. A former barrister and British consul in Foochow, Werner presents a wealth of information illuminating the ideas and beliefs that governed the daily lives of the Chinese people long before the revolutions of the 20th century.Offering a provocative glimpse into a world do...

Mencius was one of the great philosophers of ancient China, second only in influence to Confucius, whose teachings he defended and expanded. The Mencius, in which he recounts his dialogues with kings, dukes and military men, as well as other philosophers, is one of the Four Books that make up the essential Confucian corpus. It takes up Confucius's theories of jen, or goodness and yi, righteousness, explaining that the individual can achieve harmony with mankind and the universe by perfecti...

Li Po (AD 701-62) and Tu Fu (AD 712-70) were devoted friends who are traditionally considered to be among China's greatest poets. Li Po, a legendary carouser, was an itinerant poet whose writing, often dream poems or spirit-journeys, soars to sublime heights in its descriptions of natural scenes and powerful emotions. His sheer escapism and joy is balanced by Tu Fu, who expresses the Confucian virtues of humanity and humility in more autobiographical works that are imbued with great compas...

Only by inhabiting Dao (the Way of Nature) and dwelling in its unity can humankind achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death. This is Daoist philosophy's central tenet, espoused by the person—or group of people—known as Zhuangzi (369?-286? B.C.E.) in a text by the same name. To be free, individuals must discard rigid distinctions between good and bad, right and wrong, and follow a course of action not motivated by gain or striving. When one ceases to judge events as good o...

Chuang Tzu (c. 369 - 286 BC).An ancient Chinese great thinker, philosopher and writer.He is also one of the founders of Taoism.He inherited and developed Lao Tzu .Chuang Tzu is a wise man, living in poverty, but his life is simple and happy.This made the king very envious. He had dreamed of a butterflies, then the final analysis, people dreamed of a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that person.

An illustrated version of Okakura Kakuzo’s classic ‘The Book of Tea’ with an introductory biography of Okakura and a chapter on ‘Tea - The Serviceable Herb’. 22,000 words, 75 imagesPerhaps the most universal of all drinks but water, tea enjoys a unique popularity around the globe. From the Patagonian Pampas in Argentina, to the high plateau of Tibet, it serves as a restorative, an aid to digestion and a warming “pick-me-up”. In the refined chanoyu ceremony of Japan, tea-drinking ha...

In this classic book, Yutang Lin does a fantastic job of describing Chinese people, customs and culture in an understandable way for the Western reader. This book was the first of it's kind, Lin being a rarity as he was fluent in both English and Chinese, having been born in China but growing up in America. This extremely popular book will prove to be a fascinating read, and is highly recommended on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in different non-Western cultures and societies.