The Four Gods Figurines as Tomb Guardians : Their Function, Circulation, and Disappearance in Tang China (618-907 AD)

Lok Man Yang

ISBN 10: 3662681560 / ISBN 13: 9783662681565

Published by Springer Spektrum, 2023

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - This book employs a biographical approach to comprehensively study a set of Tang era-tomb guardian figurines, known as the Four Gods (Sishen), comprising a pair of warriors (Dangkuang and Dangye) and a pair of hybrid beasts (Zuming and Dizhou). These objects were exclusively used by officials until 841 AD and were mainly found in capitals then. They disappeared in the 9th century AD. The book is divided into three sections. Part one focuses on their symbolism through names, images, burial contexts, associated ritual regulations, and the interplay of all of these, revealing their dual significance - apotropaic and political, tied to ritual propriety, nuo exorcism, yin-yang divination, and more. Part two explores their connection to other supernatural tomb figurines in the early and middle Tang periods, challenging previous theories and highlighting regional standardization. Additionally, this part delves into the Four Gods' regulated production, government oversight, and role in funerary processions. Part three examines their disappearance due to shifting views on the afterlife and diminishing national power. It also explores changes in the usage of related tomb objects after the Tang era, focusing on protective functions and spatial concepts.

Seller Inventory # 9783662681565

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Four Gods Figurines as Tomb Guardians : Their Function, Circulation, and Disappearance in Tang China (618-907 AD)
• Publisher: Springer Spektrum
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3662681560
• ISBN 13: 9783662681565
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 210W x 148H x 24D millimeters 210 millimeters width by 148 millimeters height by 24 millimeters depth
• Weight: 560 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book employs a biographical approach to comprehensively study a set of Tang era-tomb guardian figurines, known as the Four Gods (Sishen), comprising a pair of warriors (Dangkuang and Dangye) and a pair of hybrid beasts (Zuming and Dizhou). These objects were exclusively used by officials until 841 AD and were mainly found in capitals then. They disappeared in the 9th century AD. The book is divided into three sections. Part one focuses on their symbolism through names, images, burial contexts, associated ritual regulations, and the interplay of all of these, revealing their dual significance – apotropaic and political, tied to ritual propriety, nuo exorcism, yin-yang divination, and more. Part two explores their connection to other supernatural tomb figurines in the early and middle Tang periods, challenging previous theories and highlighting regional standardization. Additionally, this part delves into the Four Gods’ regulated production, government oversight, and role in funerary processions. Part three examines their disappearance due to shifting views on the afterlife and diminishing national power. It also explores changes in the usage of related tomb objects after the Tang era, focusing on protective functions and spatial concepts.

About the Author

Lok Man Yang studied East Asian Art History, Archaeology, and Anthropology in Heidelberg (Germany), Glasgow and Hong Kong. Her main area of interest is the study of object symbolism of Chinese funerary and ritual artifacts. She has been involved in curating exhibitions on ancient Chinese artifacts.