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Dangerous women : warriors, grannies, and geishas of the Ming

by Cass, Victoria Baldwin.

Format: Print Book 1999
Availability: Available at 1 Library 1 of 1 copy

Available (1)
Location Collection Call #
CLP - Main Library Mezzanine - Non-fiction HQ1137.C5 C37 1999
Location  CLP - Main Library
 
Collection  Mezzanine - Non-fiction
 
Call Number  HQ1137.C5 C37 1999
 
 

Summary
Grannies, geishas, warriors, mystics, recluses, and predators_these are the dangerous women of traditional China. Through her exploration of the myth and history of the Ming, Victoria B. Cass brings their world brilliantly to life. In a culture that is resoundingly patriarchal, these women are a vivid counterpoint. Violating state-sponsored orthodoxies, the granny mocks and mimics, the geisha charms with her intellect, the warrior rules in icy superiority. Using new and freshly interpreted sources, the author leads us confidently into this surprising world, bolstering her erudite and engaging text with stunning color and black and white art of the period.
Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "Cass explores the role of forgotten women of the Great Ming Dynasty period (1368^-1644) in Chinese history. This era was extremely patriarchal, and certain women disrupted the traditional mold. The men of the Ming period feared these women and attempted to have them permanently forgotten. After a quick description of life during the Ming era, Cass divides these distinctive women into five major categories: geishas, grannies, warriors and mystics, predators, and recluses and malcontents. Using mythology, folktales, drawings, and historical records, Dangerous Women illustrates the history of these women who used unconventional methods to challenge established society. For example, Cass explains how and why the geisha trained herself in arts and books to impress the intellectual elite; the granny used her multiple roles as shaman and wet nurse to become a family member of the Emperor; and the recluse desired to live as far away as possible from civilization. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of women should read these colorful portraits. --Julia Glynn"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Additional Information
Subjects Women -- China -- History.
Women -- China -- Language.
Women -- China -- Social conditions.
China -- History -- Ming dynasty, 1368-1644.
Publisher Lanham, Md. :Rowman & Littlefield,1999
Language English
Description xix, 156 pages : illustrations (some color), map ; 26 cm
Bibliography Notes Includes bibliographical references (pages 139-150) and index.
ISBN 0847693945 (cloth : alk. paper)
0847693953 (pbk. : alk. paper)
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