Jade Mountains and Cinnabar Pools: The History of Travel Literature in Imperial China

First-hand accounts of travel provide unique insights into unknown places, while also offering fresh perspectives on familiar locations. James M. Hargett's book, "Jade Mountains and Cinnabar Pools," explores the development of Chinese travel literature (youji) from the Six Dynasties period to the late Ming dynasty, highlighting key features such as journeys to identifiable places, essay or diary formats, descriptive details, sensory experiences, and narratives of movement through space and time. Travel literature, written by scholars and officials, offers valuable historical information about authors, their values, and their views of the world, revealing much about the society they lived in.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2018
Publisher: University of Washington Press

First-hand accounts of travel offer unique insights into unexplored regions, presenting fresh perspectives on familiar destinations. In his comprehensive work, Jade Mountains and Cinnabar Pools: The First Book-Length Treatment in English of Chinese Travel Literature (Youji), James M. Hargett delves into the rich tapestry of Chinese travel literature, spanning from the Six Dynasties period (220-581) to its flourishing during the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Through meticulous identification and analysis of key works within the genre, Hargett unravels the dynamic development of travel writing, primarily authored by scholars and officials. He traces the intricate path taken by this literature, highlighting its essential characteristics, including journeys towards identifiable places, the use of essay or diary formats, vivid descriptions of places, phenomena, and conditions, accompanied by authorial observations, comments, and even personal feelings. These accounts are enriched by sensory details that evoke a sense of place, and the narration of movement through space and time adds depth and immersion.

Travel literature's diverse range of writing styles and purposes has posed challenges in defining its boundaries. However, Hargett reveals that classic pieces of Chinese travel literature hold immense value in shedding light on the author's persona, values, and worldview. These works, in turn, provide valuable insights into the author's society, offering a rich tapestry of historical information. By delving into the world of Chinese travel literature, Hargett uncovers a treasure trove of knowledge that enriches our understanding of both the authors and the societies they inhabited.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295744476