Empire of Min: A South China Kingdom of the Tenth Century

by Edward H. Schafer

The period between the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of the Song in 960 is often dismissed as a bleak chapter in Chinese history, a half-century of national disunity and anarchy. However, while it is true that the north during this time was continually ravaged by attacks from Khitans and Turks, the south enjoyed a time of peace, economic prosperity, and cultural growth. This engaging study by the eminent Sinologist Edward H. Schafer examines the so-called Empire of Min, centered in the coastal and semi-tropical present-day province of Fujian. Professor Schafer describes the geography, government, and political structure of Min, as well as its economy, arts, literature, and religion. As those familiar with the work of Professor Schafer might expect, the interesting economic and political issues of the day are made clear, and its colorful characters and their various machinations come alive. This limited reprinted work incorporates the corrigenda compiled by the author.

Genres: History, China

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2006

About the author

An American sinologist and a noted expert on the Tang dynasty. Schafer's most famous works include The Golden Peaches of Samarkand and The Vermilion Bird, which both explore China's interactions with new cultures and regions during the Tang dynasty.

Schafer earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 1947. He then became a professor of Chinese there and remained at Berkeley until his retirement in 1984. From 1955 to 1968 Schafer served as East Asia Editor of the Journal of the American Oriental Society, and from 1969 to 1984 he held the Agassiz Professorship of Oriental Languages and Literature at Berkeley. He is also known within sinology for his uncompromising belief in the importance of language skills and learning and his differing approach on this subject to John King Fairbank. His publications include over 100 scholarly articles and more than a dozen books.

Also known as 薛爱华

Reviews

[Lordoftaipo · Rating 5 out of 5]

作為閩僑但不諳治史的人，難得找到這一本關於福建曾經獨立成國的史書，豈不鼓舞。閩國歷史存在大片空白，史述想當然稀少得可憐。但我的出發點就是藉陳迹了解一下昔日風情，果然薛愛華找到不少記載，令後半本書活脫脫就是一本縣志。因為正統史觀，閩國的史稿無以流傳。可不是是幾十年的王朝，天下破事一天十萬樁，是不是要永垂青史才叫不白費工夫？我想答案是否定的。又想找到福建的民族性，史料有限不多揭示，大體我卻想是迷信、勤勉。假如正史獲妥善保存，哪知道此書本來是多豐富。