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Ducheng jisheng 都城紀勝

Jul 3, 2010 © Ulrich Theobald

Ducheng jisheng 都城紀勝 "Exhaustive description of the capital" is an account of the capital Lin'an 臨安 (modern Hangzhou 杭州, Zhejiang) during the Southern Song period 南宋 (1127-1279). It was written by a scholar named Nai Deweng 耐得翁 (original surname: Zhao 趙) who once traveled to the capital and wrote down what he observed and published his small book in 1235.

It is modeled after the book Luoyang mingyuan ji 洛陽名園記 by Li Gefei 李格非 (1059-1109), but Nai Deweng describes much more than only gardens. In 14 topics he gives detailed accounts of streets, shops, bars, schools, temples and monasteries, public entertainment, and so on.

For two questions the Ducheng jisheng is an important source: It presents informations about the popular theatre and public performances of singers and actors, and secondly, so that a lot can be learnt about social life in the cities of Song China.

Table 1. Contents of the Ducheng jisheng 都城紀勝
1 市井 Markets
2 諸行 Workshops
3 酒肆 Bars
4 食店 Foodstalls
5 茶坊 Tea houses
6 四司六局 The four offices and six bureaus
7 瓦舍眾伎 The artists and singers of the Brick Quarters
8 社會 Guilds and societies
9 園苑 Gardens
10 舟船 Boats
11 鋪席 Shops
12 坊院 Quarters
13 閑人 Travellers
14 三教外地 The three religions in the outskirts of the city
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de Pee, Christian (2017). "Nature's Capital: The City as Garden in The Splendid Scenery of the Capital (Ducheng jisheng, 1235)", in Joseph S.C. Lam, Lin Shuen-fu, Christian de Pee; Martin Powers, ed. Senses of the City: Perceptions of Hangzhou and Southern Song China, 1127-1279 (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press), 179-204.
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