Tag: China

The Mandate of Heaven, Part 2

August 10, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Mandate of Heaven, Part 2
A Map of the Zhou states during the Warring States Period. Source: Philg88 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A portion of the famous Terracotta Army buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The horses behind the soldiers are pulling a chariot which did not survive excavation. Source: Ovedc / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
The figures of the Terracotta Army were originally painted using locally available pigments. This recreation gives some idea what they may have looked like shortly after they were finished. Source: Charlie / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A map of the Han Dynasty’s expansion throughout its history. Source: SY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
This map shows the Han Dynasty and its western protectorates in the wider theater of East and Central Asia. Public Domain.
A mural painting on the wall of a tomb dating to the later Eastern Han Dynasty period. Public Domain.

The Mandate of Heaven, Part 1

August 6, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Mandate of Heaven, Part 1
A jade ornament of a plumed bird dating to around 1200 BCE, near the end of Shang Dynasty rule. Source: Vassil / CC0
A Map of the approximate territory claimed by the Zhou Dynasty. Note the general proximity to the Korean Peninsula. Source: Territories_of_Dynasties_in_China.gif: Ian Kiu / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
A map of the Zhou states around the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period. Source: SY / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A Temple of Confucius in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, originally built in 1684 CE, reconstructed in 1976 CE. Though many temples and statues are dedicated to the person of Kong-fuzi, none were built in his lifetime. Source: Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Bronze, Iron, Metallurgy, and Bells

August 3, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on Bronze, Iron, Metallurgy, and Bells
Han Dynasty Era bronze scale armor. Source: Gary Lee Todd / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A bronze mirror from the Eastern Han Dynasty Period. The mirror’s face is polished and reflective, while the back displays this impressive pattern. Public Domain.
Close-up of a Han ceramic model featuring crossbow-wielding soldiers in the guard tower. Source: PericlesofAthens / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A Dotaku bell from the Yayoi. I love this image because you can clearly see some of the artwork in the panels of the bell. Animals, birds, and other images probably had distinct meaning for the Yayoi people which is lost to us today. Public Domain.
A Dotaku featuring some stylish swirls on its outer edge. Source: I, Sailko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Meanwhile in China and Korea

June 25, 2020 justin-david-hebert Jōmon, Season 1 Comments Off on Meanwhile in China and Korea
A bone flute excavated from a Jiahu site Attrib.: Cangminzho / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A map of the Shang Dynasty, Public Domain
A good example of Jeulmun Pottery. While simpler in construction than its Jomon counterparts, its design and texture are still very complex. Attrib.: Ismoon (talk) 08:14, 18 June 2018 (UTC) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A larger example of a Jeulmun Pot. Here you can more clearly see the “comb marks” near the rim that give the aesthetic its name. Attrib.: Asfreeas at Korean Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)