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The Chinese decorating art, in myriad media--bronze, ceramics, silk, embroidery, lacquer, jade, enamel, gold, and silver--and of carving and sculpture, is an ageless tradition of exquisite craftsmanship. Its evolution since ancient times was driven not only by the expanding use of materials available, but advances in technology. The understated elegance of Chinese aesthetics in arts and crafts, both functional and decorative, has in many ways influenced the development of the Chinese cultural identity, becoming emblematic of Chinese civilization in its worldwide dispersion. This concise history, complete and lucidly accessible, captures this millennia-old tradition, from the Neolithic Age to the late Qing when the last imperial reign unraveled, and the rise and evolution of its various forms, tracing the chronology of Chinese dynasties. Well researched and richly illustrated with more than 200 artefacts, it offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of Chinese aesthetics in the context of changing societies, reflecting the underlying qualities of the Chinese mind and a cultural heritage that endured uninterruptedly through millennia.

An Illustrated Brief History of Chinese Decorative Arts: History·Aesthetics·Invention

Shang PhD, Gang

Arts & Photography

About the Author\nZhao Qingquan (1949-) is a master of the Chinese art of penjing, an International Bonsai Instructor at Bonsai Clubs International, and an International Consultant for the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. He pioneered a new form of penjing—the water-and-land penjing. An internationally renowned master, Zhao has attended conferences and given lectures and demonstrations around the world. In 2001, his penjing Trident Maples was added to the collection of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum of the US National Arboretum.\nThe word penjing can be roughly translated from the Chinese as "potted scenery." It is the original, older form of the art of bonsai. Penjing aims to embody entire natural scenes within individual works. Penjing is sometimes described as Chinese landscape painting in three dimensions. It aims to make viewers feel as though they were really in nature, contemplating the ripples on the surface of a lake or sheltering from the sun in the shade of a tree. It is an art form that is still, yet full of dynamic energy, embodying the natural beauty of trees, stones, and water. The book gives detailed guidance and instruction to those who wish to create a vivid miniature landscape of their own. It also describes the creation process of several outstanding examples of forest penjing, with accompanying photographs from each stage of their “journey” towards completion. Meant for beginners and experts alike, the information and techniques outlined in this book can help sow the seed of a new love for penjing or to refine the craft of a seasoned penjing designer.\nExcerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.\nForest Penjing (excerpt)\nPenjing can be viewed as the sculpture of natural scenes. Jointly created by man and nature, it is an art form that combines natural beauty and artistic beauty, the two aspects for which penjing is appreciated. 
1. Natural and Ecological Beauty 
Trees are the main materials for forest penjing. They possess not only natural forms and colors, but also vital signs and natural charm. Therefore, a forest penjing made of trees is like a living work of art, exhibiting a relationship between plants that mirrors that of a natural forest. The work changes with the growth of the trees and presents different scenes with the alteration of the seasons, making viewers feel as if they were right at the source. Realistic and overflowing with the energy of nature, these works exhibit natural and ecological beauty. 
The vital signs of forest penjing determine that the creation of penjing is a process of continuity. Unlike a work of painting or sculpture which, once completed, requires no further changes, a forest penjing usually cannot be completed once and for all but needs continuous effort because the trees keep growing and changing. Some works may not be satisfying now, but as the plants grow, they may improve with time. But, on the other hand, they may also lose their desired shape. Therefore, continuity in creation is a special charm of the penjing art form, because it can fill viewers with boundless expectations. 
The natural and ecological beauty of forest penjing is embodied not only in the beauty of the root, trunk, branch, leaf, flower, and fruit, but also in the beauty of the community of trees, changing of the seasons, and different kinds of forests. 
Beauty of the Root: Some roots stretch in all directions, solid and stable; some rise up high, revealing themselves in the air; some intertwine with the roots of other trees, forming an organic whole; some have plants growing out of them, forming a grove; some penetrate cracks in rocks, struggling to survive in a harsh environment (fig. 10). They come in varied forms, each displaying their own unique beauty. 
Beauty of the Trunk: Trunks come in a diverse range of shapes. Some grow straight up, vigorous and tall; some lean in a certain direction, displaying great momentum; some are gracefully twisted, rich in

Forest Penjing: Enjoy the Miniature Landscape by Growing, Care and Appreciation of Chinese Bonsai Trees

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Zhao, Qingquan

Gardening & Landscape Design

About the Author\nBorn of a family that has practiced traditional Chinese medicine for generations, Wu Jianshe, MD, has close to 20 years of experience in Chinese medical research and clinical work and has published five books on traditional Chinese medicine.\nIs it possible to take your health in your own hand without having to see a doctor? Common problems such as acne and pimples, color spots, swollen face, red veins in the eyes and on the face, and color changes in the face—what caused these things to happen? Facial diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine can help you understand the various signals your body sends out regarding the state of your health. Facial diagnosis is an integral part of TCM’s diagnostic methods. TCM believes that all that exists on the inside of the body will ultimately reveal themselves on the outside. By observing changes occurring in the face, one can gain insight into the health status of the internal organs of the human body, thereby preventing some diseases from developing and improving one’s health as a result. Facial diagnostic method, as introduced in this book, is easy to learn and practice. Combined with pictures and texts, the book is accessible to the readers and suitable for daily home health care.\nExcerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.\nFace Reading (excerpt)\nAccording to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), “You know the ailment when you see a person’s face, which is divine.” In fact, most diseases leave traces that can be detected on the surface of the human body where the twelve principal meridians and the Governor and Conception vessels that connect the internal organs run. That is why it is often said that “the symptoms are manifested in the four limbs and five sensory organs, while the diseases are deep in the five viscera organs (zang) and six bowels (fu).” 
With a long history in China, face reading in TCM is based on thousands of years of valuable experience accumulated from generations of Chinese medical practitioners. The five sensory organs in the face are not only some of the important human organs, but they are also where the meridian pathways run, connecting the zang and fu organs inside the human body. By observing the face, a doctor can detect changes in zang-fu, qi and blood, muscles and bones, meridians and collaterals, and essential qi, thereby gathering information to make judgments on the causes of a disease, establish the pathogenesis, predict the tendency of the disease and sequela, and determine the prognosis. Such information plays a crucial role in the treatment of an ailment. 
Guided by the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, face reading not only helps diagnose diseases but has also become increasingly popular for prognosis and maintaining good health. The methods it utilizes are unique and produce effective results. Both economical and safe, face reading is easy to learn and use, making it an ideal means of daily healthcare. 
With the aim of disseminating the knowledge of TCM, this book first introduces the fundamentals of face reading in a systematic, scientific manner, then offers a detailed explanation of the methods used to detect many common ailments. Given the capacity of each disease’s natural self-healing power, also provided here are physiotherapeutic treatment and internal adjustment measures, such as dietary remedies, physical exercises, and emotional adjustments. Through rich content and a combination of graphics and texts that are easy to understand, this book is a practical, popular primer that even people having no knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine can understand and use for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.

Face Reading: Self-Care and Natural Healing through Traditional Chinese Medicine

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Wu, Jianshe

Alternative Medicine

Normality today is to be enslaved by the material world to the point where individual happiness has not kept pace with increasing material prosperity. Have we lost our original nature in the pursuit of the external material world? Wang Yangming's School of Mind of nearly 500 years ago teaches us how to overcome external circumstances and seek the source of the great strength that lies in our innermost being. Wang Yangming's School of Mind is a gathering together of the achievements of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It is one of the most representative and influential strands of Chinese philosophical thought and proposes that "conscience" is a cosmic prime principle innate in man that transcends all living things. The lifelong realization and practice of conscience is the only path towards self-fulfillment and perfection of character. This book uses Wang Yangming's principles of "Mind is Principle," "the unity of knowledge and action," and "the exercise of conscience" to describe the School of Mind in simple terms to enable you to understand your own original self and go on a journey of self-cultivation that will gain you a kind of inner freedom and strength.

Building Inner Strength: The Chinese Philosophy of Wang Yangming's School of Mind

Politics & Social Sciences

Wang, Jueren

Philosophy

A Journey to Find the Cuckoo: A Heroic Legend about Exploring the Secret of the Four Seasons

Children's Books

Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths

About the Author\nLi Jian has a B.A. in Chinese painting from Hebei Normal University. Formerly a middle school art teacher and children’s book editor, he currently owns his own illustration studio focusing on children’s fairy tales.\nGrandpa builds a beautiful little vegetable garden, but a big ugly rock is in the way. He digs it with a shovel. Thinking that it is as big as a car, he decides to bypass it when planting vegetables. Grandma nearly trips over the rock when watering the seedlings, so she digs it with a shovel. Thinking that it is as big as a house, she decides to walk across it when she is there. Papa stumbles over the rock when he is going to trim the seedlings, so he digs it with a shovel. Thinking that it is as big as an airplane, he decides to let it stay. Mama is worried about her sons tripping over the rock, so she digs it with a shovel. Thinking that it is as big as a mountain, she decides to keep her sons out of the vegetable garden. One day, the two brothers see the big rock and decide to dig it out together. Both their grandparents and parents tell them to give it up, because the rock can be bigger than they ever imagine. However, in just one afternoon, the two brothers dig out the rock successfully. It is not as big as they think. Sometimes the things in front of us are not as simple as they look.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-K—When a grandfather chooses to plant a vegetable garden around a large rock, the "big ugly" rock becomes the bane of his family's existence. The family continually trips over it while tending the garden. They all see it as an absolutely impossible obstacle—until two grandsons decide to simply remove it. The gentle, nuanced illustrations are the highlight here: The photorealistic rock contrasts with the hand-drawn style of the figures and spare backgrounds. An eye-catching use of perspective shows both the surface and underground parts of the rock, with the latter skillfully depicted in broad strokes reminiscent of traditional Chinese brush painting. The text, presented in both English and Chinese, carries the tone of a parable or fable. Indeed, the parable of "The Blind Men and the Elephant" is included at the end of the book, implying that this tale is meant to convey a similar message about perspective. The story of the big ugly rock emphasizes the value of different viewpoints and encourages collaboration to solve a problem, but the conclusion is somewhat ambiguous. The family is able to remove the rock simply by deciding to do so, which leaves the reader to wonder: Was the rock really so bad? It was just sitting there, and it wasn't very ugly at all. VERDICT Purchase where Chinese-English bilingual materials for children are in demand.—Allison Tran

The Big Rock: A Tale of Wisdom Told in English and Chinese

李践

Review\n“Goldwork Embroidery Chinese Style lays out the steps in such detail that it is both supportive and encouraging to adventurous crafters.” —Foreword Review\nGoldwork embroidery is a traditional Chinese embroidery technique that was originally used in the court or palaces and was exclusive to nobility in ancient times. Similar embroidery techniques were used in Central Asia and Europe in ancient times as well. Today, this sort of technique, characterized by its diversity of thread textures, variety of techniques, unique three-dimensional shape, and ability to blend other embroidery styles, is familiar to and admired by embroidery enthusiasts all over the world. Through her practice in embroidery over the past two decades, Chen Daiyu has simultaneously studied both Chinese and European embroidery. Her work is unique in that it combines the beauty of both forms, making it uniquely original. In this book, she draws inspiration from elements of traditional Chinese painting, combining traditional Chinese silk embroidery with European goldwork embroidery to create stunning, elegant works with a unique Chinese aesthetic appeal. This volume combines images and text, taking the reader systematically through the world of goldwork embroidery with a step-by-step guide.

Goldwork Embroidery Chinese Style: An Illustrated Stitch Guide

Chen, Daiyu

Crafts & Hobbies

About the Author\nLi Jian has a B.A. in Chinese painting from Hebei Normal University. Formerly a middle school art teacher and children’s book editor, he currently owns his own illustration studio focused on children’s fairy tales.\nChangsheng’s father brings home a homeless tabby kitten. However, as the kitten grows older, they realize that it's actually a little tiger. Soon Changsheng and the little tiger become so attached to each other. Wearing a tiger-head hat made by his mother, Changsheng and the little tiger become best brothers. However, the villagers are scared of the tiger. Changsheng has no choice but to send the little tiger back to the mountains. The little tiger promises that it will return in times of need. All Changsheng has to do is to put on his tiger-head hat and yell “Tiger Brother” from the top of the mountain. One day a gang of robbers appear in the village. Since the villagers are unable to resist the robbers, Changsheng runs up to the top of the mountain, yelling for his tiger brother. The tiger brother and his brave tiger friends arrive to their rescue, driving away all the robbers out of the village. The tiger brother returns to the mountains, but it keeps its promise to Changsheng forever. A story about bravery, love, and promise, it also introduces the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Tiger, the origin of the Siberian tiger, and the history of the tiger-head hat.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-Gr 2—In a tale written in both English and Chinese, friendship and battle scenes live side by side. When Changsheng's father returns to the family home in the Changbai Mountains in northeast China with a small tabby kitten, the child is delighted. He and the kitten are inseparable, even as the kitten grows enough to be recognized as a tiger, and even as the villagers in fear begin to distance themselves from the family. Changsheng travels with his tiger brother back to the mountains where they part ways, but not before Tiger Brother vows to return any time the family needs him. When a band of robbers sets upon the village, the tiger brother and all his tiger family quickly make good on that promise. Soft, dreamlike watercolors convey the power of the relationship, a near-battle scene with the robbers, and the shame of the villagers, apologizing to the tigers for fearing them. Back matter explains the cultural value of the tiger and more. VERDICT This is a gorgeous addition to folktale shelves, but also offers lessons on friendship and loyalty. —Kimberly Olson Fakih

Tiger Brother: A Tale Told in English and Chinese (Stories of the Chinese Zodiac)

Animals

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