In accordance with its mission of disseminating knowledge and promoting Chinese culture, Jinan University is dedicated to the great cause of promoting Chinese culture abroad. Our aim is to ensure that our voices are heard, our stones read, our culture understood, and our country respected. Grounded upon this background, the book series in English version “ Classical Chinese Novels and Folk Customs and Regional Culture are published to incorporate the appreciation of Chinese novels, the research on the relationship between Chinese novels and social institutions, local customs and culture, religion, and psychology, as well as the circulation of Chinese folk and regional culture, in an effort to spread Chinese culture. Involving universal cultural readings that highlight academic, intellectual, popular and accessible features with richly informative contents, the series are designated for foreign readers who are fond of Chinese culture.
The two book series are noticeably distinct from general academic works in that they aim to not only introduce comprehensive but diversified Chinese culture to the world, but also introduce it in plain language with new ways of thinking and writing methods. In the series “ Classical Chinese Novels,” special attention is paid to the comprehensive study of philology, literature and art, especially emphasizing the close reading oftexts. Classical Chinese novels are explored from the perspective of culturology, while the relationship between classical Chinese novels and Chinese culture is observed in multiple dimensions. The series embraces the following main subjects:(1) close reading of the Chinese cultural works and their appreciation; (2) the classical novels and institutional culture;(3)the relationship between classical novels and religion; (4) the extraterritorial dissemination of classical novels; and (5) the comprehensive study of Chinese culture and psychology.
In the other series “ Folk Customs and Regional Culture, ” colorful Chinese folk customs and regional culture are introduced and studied, in the hope of enhancing cultural communication and mutual understanding. Take Hakka Crafts as an example, the book not only showcases representative artworks but also highlights the role that Hakka craftsmanship plays in bolstering domestic cultural confidence and promoting Chinese culture globally. It begins with an overview of Hakka crafts’ historical origins, classifications and functions, before delving into detailed examinations of several key categories, including Wuhua stone carvings, Dabu blue-and-white porcelain, aesthetically designed residential decorations, traditional clothing, intricate handicraft weavings, festive lanterns and paper sculptures, and distinctive Qingzhen woodblock printings. Each category is a testament to Hakka’s craftsmanship and reflects Hakka spirit, emphasizing resilience and a deep bond with the land. Preserving their distinctive cultural identity, Hakka crafts play a vital role in Hakka’s inherited traditions, perpetuated across generations and standing out within the rich array of Chinese folkart. Given the significance of Hakka crafts within traditional Chinese culture, translating this book is an academic endeavor to answer the contemporary call of “telling a good story about China and spreading the voice of China well. ”
Table of Contents
Foreword 1
Chapter One Rich and Colorful Hakka Crafts 1
1.1 History and Current Status of Hakka Crafts 1
1.2 Categories of Hakka Crafts 5
1.3 Functions of Hakka Crafts 12
Chapter Two Wuhua Stone Carvings 17
2.1 Highly Acclaimed Wuhua Stone Carvings 17
2.2 Virtuous and Skilled Wuhua Stonemasons 33
2.3 The Tough and Unyielding Spirit of Wuhua People 48
Chapter Three Dabu Blue-and-White Porcelain 59
3.1 The Land of Southern Porcelain: Gaobei Town of Dabu County 64
3.2 Hakka Historical and Cultural Elements Infused in Ceramics 80
3.3 The Shuiche Kiln and Blue-and-White Porcelain 84
Chapter Four Hakka House Decorations 103
4.1 Integration of Hakka Cultural Elements 105
4.2 Decorative Details of Hakka Tang-Heng Houses in Qiaoxi Village 128
4.3 The Decorative Style of Lianfang Building: A Fusion of Chinese and Western Elements 138
Chapter Five Hakka Clothing 154
5.1 The Simple and Plain “Shanku” Apparel 154
5.2 Stylish and Practical Accessories 160
5.3 Cultural Aesthetic Characteristics Adapted to Local Conditions 177
Chapter Six Handcrafted Weavings 194
6.1 Bamboo Weavings: Widely Used Pure Natural Handicrafts 195
6.2 Grass Weavings, Rattan Weavings, and Palm Leaf Weavings: The Perfect Combination of Practicality and Artistry 205
6.3 Cultural Connotations of Folk Customs 215
Chapter Seven Festive Lanterns and Paper Sculptures 224
7.1 Festive Lanterns: Favorites of Hakka Folk Festivals 224
7.2 Paper Sculptures; The Art of Offering and Burning 243
7.3 Puzhai Paper Flowers: Lifelike and Unique Crafts 253
Chapter Eight Qingzhen Woodblock Printings 265
8.1 A Leading Figure in the Modern Chinese Woodblock Printing Movement 267
8.2 From Luo Qingzhen to Luo Yingqiu 285
8.3 The Future of Qingzhen Woodblock Printing 300
Chapter Nine The Heritage and Innovation of Hakka Crafts 303
