Description
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewChan carries us through seemingly inexhaustible trains of legends, of Nazha of Tantric Buddhist origin and a Chinese Buddhist-Daoist advisor to Qubilai Qaghan in the design of his capital city. We are taken from Yuan through Ming and Qing to modern times... It remains to advise the reader to keep close attention to the line, where it exists, between 'history' and 'legend.' Chan walks carefully in his account, and the reader should emulate his gait. Journal of Asian History This book is rich in sources, information, and analysis, and with careful exploration of the filiation and intermingling of these legends, Chan's work opens up new and important vistas for thinking about urban culture and the evolution of the popular imagination over time. Journal of Asian Studies A meticulous study of the folklore surrounding the now largely-vanished Beijing walls... [A]n important contribution to Beijing historiography, illuminating its cultural, relingion, and ethnic complexities from a hitherto neglected angle. Legends of the Building of Old Peking throws significant light on the cultural, the religious, and the ethnic richness of one of the world's greatest cities. Journal of Chinese Religions
Table of ContentsNote on SpellingList of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroduction-- The Historical Background-- The Cosmological Concepts of Imperial Cities-- The Planning of Imperial Cities-- Legends of Dadu and Peking PART I: The "Nesha City" of Old Peking: Origins and Transformations Chapter 1: Liu Bingzhong, Nazha, and the Building of Yuan "Great Capital"-- The Historical Background-- Liu Bingzhong's City Plan-- The Nazha Cheng Legend-- The Nazha Cheng Saga-- Myth and Reality Chapter 2: Liu Bowen, Nezha, and the Building of Ming Peking-- The Historical Background-- The Genesis of the "Northern Capital"-- The Imperial City Plan-- New Nazha Cheng Legend-- Lui Bowen's Legends-- Nezha Cheng Legend Analyzed PART II: "Siting by Bowshot": Locating the City of Ming Peking Chapter 3: The Mongolian Story of How Emperor Yongle Built the City of Peking-- The Historical Background-- Anatomy of the Folkloric Legend-- Impact on the Nezha Cheng Legend Chapter 4: The Stories of Liu Bowen, Yao Guangxiao, and Shen Wansan Building the City of Peking -- The Folkloric Background-- "Lui Bowen Built the City of Peking"Lui Bowen, Xu Da, and Shen WansanLui Bowen, the Dragon King, and Warrior Gao LiangGoa Liang, Shen Wansan and the Dragon King-- "How was the City of Peking Built?"Yao Guangxiao and the Prince of YanThe Prince of Yan and Shen Wansan-- The Folkloric Legacy EpiloguePART III: Appendices1. The Eight-Armed Nezha City (1)2. The Eight-Armed Nexha City (2)3. Book of the Story of How Emperor Yung-lo of the Great Ming Built the City of Peking - The Yuan Prince - The True Prince4. Lui Bowen Building the City of Peking5. How was the City of Peking Built?GlossaryNotesBibliographyIndex
