The World of Wu Zhao: Annotated Selections from Zhang Zhuos Court and Country

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The World of Wu Zhao is an annotated translation of Zhang Zhuos collection of miscellany, Court and Country, that offers a lively, folksy and novel perspective of the empire of Wu Zhao, Chinas first and only female emperor, that will amuse and shock readers, prompting them to recalibrate everything they think they know about medieval China.

The book covers a number different themes and topics: Buddhist and Daoist monks, the female emperors male favourites, cruel officials, and includes sections on flora and fauna, the common folk, artisans and craftsmen, the military, spirits and the supernatural, the borderlands, and local officials.

The World of Wu Zhao is a carefully curated set of more than 120 translated stories all annotated and contextualised on a range of topics from Zhang Zhuos eighth century collection of miscellany, Collected Records of Court and Country (Chaoye qianzai ). The book provides English readers with a sense and feel for the empire during the reign of Wu Zhao (624705, also known as Empress Wu and Wu Zetian), Chinas first and only female emperor.

The World of Wu Zhao moves outward from the female sovereigns personal and intimate domain of the inner palace. The text includes chapters on a number of different themes and topics: the female emperors male favourites, the culture of the court , cruel officials, as well as sections on flora and fauna, the common folk, artisans and craftsmen, Buddhist and Daoist monks, the military, spirits and the supernatural, the borderlands, and local officials. Chapters are introduced through 'speaking artifacts' such as saddles, swords, bronze tallies, porcelain figurines of camels and grooms, official tallies, Buddhist cave paintings and funerary monumentscontemporary to the reign of the female emperor. This lively and fresh perspective on medieval China will amuse and shock readers, prompting them to recalibrate everything they think they know about medieval China.

Reviews

With this latest publication, N. Harry Rothschild cements his reputation as the foremost authority on Wu Zhao. His commentary, interspersed with translations of excerpts from Zhang Zhuos eighth-century Collected Records of Court and Country provides unparalleled insight into Wu Zhaos court and Tang society, religion, and international relations. The book is meticulously produced with helpful reference matter, making it suitable for students and learners at all levels. This book is a parting gift from Harry, and we will miss him terribly Michelle C. Wang, Department of Art and Art History, Georgetown University.

With his usual panache, the late N. Harry Rothschild employs Zhang Zhuos eighth-century work to paint a vivid and all-encompassing picture of the times of Chinas only female emperor, Wu Zetian. He helps us adroitly peer behind Confucian misogynism to envision Wu and her court in a balanced manner Keith N. Knapp, Professor of History, The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina

This rich collection of anecdotes, biographical sketches, and curiosities taken from the writings of a Tang dynasty courtier and scholar offers a multifaceted tour of China during the reign of its sole female emperor, Wu Zhao (624705 CE), that is variously hilarious, racy, poignant, and beguilingJeffrey L. Richey, Professor of Asian Studies, Berea College.

Harry Rothschilds imaginative presentation of the material from an eighth-century anecdotal collection has provided us with a view of the Tang world that is both insightful and entertaining. It is a work of impressive scholarship that spans political history, cultural history, literary studies, and gender studies Anthony DeBlasi, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, University at Albany.

A fresh, rich, and exceptional glimpse on the life and career of Zhang Zhuo, the author of Court and Country (Chaoye qianzai ), a bright guiding light for understanding the reign of Wu Zhao (624705), Chinas first and only female emperor. A truly labor of love and will!!! Robin R. Wang, Loyola Marymount University, Author of Yinyang: The Way of Heaven and Earth in Chinese Thought and Culture.

Author Bio

Harry Rothschild is Professor of Chinese History at the University of North Florida, USA. He specializes in early Tang history and the study of women and gender in China and East Asia.