{"product_id":"medieval-chinese-society-and-the-local-community-periodization","title":"Medieval Chinese Society and the Local Community - Periodization","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Medieval Chinese Society and the Local Community, the book is recommended for historians, graduate students, and informed readers seeking a careful reexamination of Chinese medieval periodization. Tanigawa Michio challenges dominant postwar interpretations and proposes a communitarian framework that reshapes how local social cohesion and ethical networks are viewed. The single biggest reason to buy is its focused reinterpretation of stagnation and feudalism that offers fresh analytical tools for anyone studying the Six Dynasties through the Sui and Tang eras.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommunitarian framework:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents the kyodotaia concept to explain how local ethical and social cohesion shaped medieval Chinese society, offering a new lens for comparative history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriodization critique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reexamines traditional timelines and labels, encouraging readers to question received views on stagnation and social change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covers the Six Dynasties through the Sui and Tang eras, providing continuity across transitional centuries in Chinese history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves beyond postwar Marxist readings endemic to Japanese sinology, giving readers an alternative interpretive tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused argumentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emphasizes ethical and local factors over class-only explanations, making the book useful for social and cultural historians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis volume is best for graduate students, scholars, and serious readers of Chinese history who want a rigorous, interpretive study rather than a broad textbook overview. Those researching local institutions, social ethics, or comparative medieval studies will find the kyodotaia framework particularly valuable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a beginner's introduction to Chinese dynastic history or a richly illustrated popular history should look elsewhere, since the book assumes prior knowledge and focuses on conceptual reassessment rather than general narrative or visual presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a distinct communitarian model that deepens understanding of local cohesion in medieval China.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareful critique of periodization challenges long-standing scholarly assumptions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful range from the Six Dynasties through Sui and Tang provides continuity for comparative study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eIts scholarly focus and conceptual depth may be dense for casual readers or those new to the field.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedieval Chinese Society and the Local Community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTanigawa Michio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContributor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDr. Joshua A. Fogel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical scope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSix Dynasties through Sui and Tang eras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStagnation, feudalism, periodization, kyodotaia communitarian framework\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCritical reexamination of postwar interpretations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedieval Chinese Society and the Local Community is a worthwhile buy for scholars and advanced students who want a thoughtful reappraisal of medieval Chinese social structures. Its communitarian argument and critique of conventional periodization make it good value for readers seeking conceptual clarity and fresh perspectives on the Sui and Tang transitions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover the Tang dynasty?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it examines the period from the Six Dynasties through the Sui and Tang eras, treating continuity across these periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge of Chinese history required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book assumes some background in Chinese dynastic history and is best suited to readers with prior study or graduate-level interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho translated or contributed to this edition?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr. Joshua A. Fogel is a contributor to this volume, providing scholarly context alongside Tanigawa Michio's work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tanigawa Michio, Dr. Joshua A. Fogel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48191911002331,"sku":"0520316452","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71jg3MdrjIL._SL1500.jpg?v=1769453244","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/medieval-chinese-society-and-the-local-community-periodization","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}