Folklore Studies of Traditional Chinese House-Building

This book provides extensive information on craftsmen-built houses in China. Though some inroads have been made in studying this folk custom, this work represents the first comprehensive and systematic monograph.

The book examines the topic at the two main levels of history and theory. Combining historical textual research, contemporary textual research, and field study, the book presents systematic information on the folk custom of craftsmen-built houses in China. At the level of theoretical research, it puts forward some original opinions on the major theoretical issues, such as the folk custom of religious belief, the boundary between superstition and religion, and the relationship between oral literature and ritual.

The book provides a guide to help readers systematically understand the folk custom of craftsmen-built houses in China. Sharing valuable insights into Chinese architectural history, as well as religious studies, cultural anthropology, and folklore, it will appeal to researchers in the fields of folklore, cultural anthropology, and architecture and can also serve as a popular science book for understanding Chinese architectural culture.

Fills an important gap in systematic research on the folk custom of craftsmen-built houses in China Presents a detailed study of various cultural symbols and ritual traditions in this folk custom Puts forward some unique views on the custom in terms of religious belief

Auteur

Shiwu Li is a male, born in 1984, Chuxiong, Yunnan, and is a Yi nationality. He completed Doctor of Law (ethnology) and is Associate Professor of Yunnan University. Research interests include Chinese minority art and folklore. He is also Director of Chinese Academy of Art Anthropology.

Contenu
Chapter 1. Land Worship and building construction Folklore.- Chapter 2. Tree Worship and building construction Folklore.- Chapter 3. Beam Setting Ceremony and Application of Fetishes.- Chapter 4. Supernatural Beings, Incantations, and Talismans: The Taoist Influence.- Chapter 5. House Builders' Covert Sorcery in Social and Cultural Context.- Chapter 6. The Legend of Gun and the Origin and Evolution of Chiwei.- Chapter 7. Conclusion.