Rituals of recruitment in Tang China : reading an annual programme in the Collected statements by Wang Dingbao (870-940) / by Oliver J. Moore.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Moore, Oliver J.

Series:

Sinica Leidensia ; v. 65.

Sinica Leidensia ; v. 65

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil service--China--Examinations--History.

Civil service.

History.

China.

Examinations.

China--Officials and employees--Recruiting--History.

China--History--Tang dynasty, 618-907.

Physical Description:

vi, 407 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2004.

Summary:

This study analyzes records of annual ritual performances in order to trace the emergence of the culture of civil service examination recruitment in its social and political contexts during China's Tang dynasty (618-907).

Contents:

1. The annual programme of examination recruitment 1

The origins and development of the examination system 10

Degree titles 13

Syllabi in the annual examinations 16

The birth of an examination society 18

Ritual performances 21

2. Wang Dingbao and the compilation of Collected Statements 26

The life of the compiler 27

The compilation of the text 44

Documentary sources in Collected Statements 50

3. Selections in the prefectures 67

The rising status of Tang tribute scholars 69

Early and late Tang engagements with prefectural examinations 77

The status of "degree-worthy" 81

Reforms of prefectural selections at the capital 93

4. Ceremonies of induction 103

Recruitment as enactments of state ritual 104

The community wine-drinking ceremony 107

The court assembly 122

The visit to the former teachers 127

5. Experiences of the examination ground 139

Visits to examination patrons 141

Examination sessions 152

Lyrical views of the examination ground 165

Announcing the results 170

6. Ceremonies of gratitude 181

Hopeful gatherings 182

The ceremony of gratitude 186

The ceremony of gratitude and factionalism 202

The procession through the Hall 218

7. Celebrations of success 230

The formation of a jinshi association and its agenda 231

The development of the Qujiang resort 233

The organization of Qujiang banquets 238

Examinations and the Chang'an seasonal calendar 254

Examination celebrations as records of Chang'an social life 275.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [355]-379) and index.

Contains:

Wang, Dingbao, 870-approximately 954. Tang zhi yan. English. Selections.

ISBN:

9004139370

OCLC:

55085725