Description
Book SynopsisConcubinage and Servitude in Late Imperial China is a survey of the institutions and practice of concubinage and servitude in both the general populace and the imperial palace in Ming-Qing China, focusing on an examination on political and socioeconomic history through the lives of this particular group of distinct, yet associated, individuals.
Trade ReviewHsieh’s book examines concubinage and servitude in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, first among Chinese society in general and then in the imperial court…. In this study, however, Hsieh ambitiously expands her discussions to include the Qing, which means necessarily addressing the issues involving not only Han Chinese, but also Manchu and other ethnic groups, especially men and women in the banner system. Moreover, she addresses not only concubinage but a wide variety of servitude involving women, men, and eunuchs…. In fact, some of the best discussions in the book come from Hsieh’s comparison of how the differences between the Ming and Qing palace women would have contributed greatly to understanding the functioning of the inner courts of the two dynasties and the political power struggles that affected the entire country. * Nan Nü: Men, Women and Gender in China *
Table of ContentsPART I: CONCUBINES AND SERVANTS IN THE GENERAL POPULACE Chapter One: The Dimension of Human Trafficking Chapter Two: The Path of a Concubine Chapter Three: Domestic Servants, Office Attendants, and Apprentices PART II: IMPERIAL CONSORTS AND SERVANTS Chapter Four: Booi Elite and Harangga Chapter Five: Ming Serving-Women Chapter Six: Qing Serving-Women and Eunuchs Chapter Seven: Ritual Canon and Imperial Harem Conclusion
