Entombed epigraphy and commemorative culture in early medieval China : a history of early muzhiming / by Timothy M. Davis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Davis, Timothy M., author.

Series:

Studies in the history of Chinese texts ; v. 6.

Studies in the history of Chinese texts, 1877-9425 ; volume 6

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Inscriptions, Chinese--History and criticism.

Inscriptions, Chinese.

Epitaphs--China--History--To 1500.

Epitaphs.

Tombs--China--History--To 1500.

Tombs.

Burial--China--History--To 1500.

Burial.

Memorials--China--History--To 1500.

Memorials.

China--Antiquities.

China.

China--History--220-589--Sources.

China--Social life and customs--221 B.C.-960 A.D--Sources.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (428 p.)

Place of Publication:

Leiden : Brill, [2015]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In Entombed Epigraphy and Commemorative Culture Timothy M. Davis presents a history of early muzhiming —the most versatile and persistent commemorative form employed in the elite burials of pre-modern China. While previous scholars have largely overlooked the contemporary religious, social, and cultural functions of these epigraphic objects, this study directly addresses these areas of concern, answering such basic questions as: Why were muzhiming buried in tombs? What distinguishes commemorative biography from dynastic history biography? And why did muzhiming develop into an essential commemorative genre esteemed by the upper classes? Furthermore, this study reveals how aspiring families used muzhiming to satisfy their obligations to deceased ancestors, establish a multi-generational sense of corporate identity, and strengthen their claims to elite status.

Contents:

Introduction: What are muzhiming?; Simple records of interment; Entombed stele inscriptions; Early standard muzhiming : the case of Liu Dai; Essential characteristics and distinctive features of muzhiming; The structure of this book

The social functions of early medieval muzhiming

The religious functions of entombed epigraphy

Mortuary epigraphy moves underground

Entombed epigraphy in an era of political instability

Historiographical biography and commemorative biography

The rise of muzhiming as a literary genre

Conclusion

Appendix A: Entombed epitaphs from the western Jin and eastern Jin dynasties

Appendix B: Northern Wei entombed epitaphs prior to 494 CE.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-30642-0

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004306424 DOI