Huizhou: Local Identity and Mercantile Lineage Culture in Ming China

Huizhou studies the construction of local identity through kinship in Ming China, exploring how developments in the sociocultural, religious, and gender realms shaped Huizhou identity as a land of prominent lineages. This gentrified self-image sheltered and guided the development of mercantile lineages, which were further bolstered by the gender regime and local religious order.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 303 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Huizhou, a prefecture in Ming China renowned for its prosperous merchant culture, delves into the intricate construction of local identity through kinship. Qitao Guo, in his comprehensive study, uncovers the profound interplay between sociocultural, religious, and gender realms from the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries, shaping Huizhou's identity as a land of prominent lineages. Through meticulous research and the utilization of previously untapped genealogies, Guo unveils how these developments converged to create a gentrified self-image that both sheltered and guided the growth of mercantile lineages. The gender regime and local religious order further reinforced this privileged position, contributing to Huizhou's success as a commercial hub.

Guo's analysis reveals a fascinating discrepancy between representation and practice. As the economy flourished, those central to its commercialization embraced conservative sociocultural norms, while home lineages, despite their financial and logistical support, embraced neo-Confucian orthodoxy. This fusion of traditions resulted in a unique mercantile lineage culture with distinctive Chinese characteristics, known as Huizhou.

Through his meticulous research, Guo sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped Huizhou's identity and its enduring influence on Chinese society. His study provides valuable insights into the interplay between cultural, social, and economic factors and their role in shaping the development of regional identities. Huizhou's story serves as a testament to the enduring power of kinship, tradition, and the complex interplay between different realms of human experience.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520385214