The Origin of East Asian Medieval Capital Construction System: The Ancient City of Ye

Description

"Ye is a historical Chinese city built in 659 BC and burned down to the ground in 580 AD. The book investigates the characteristics of the city's layout and its deep influence on the urban construction in East Asia since the 6th century AD. By studying archaeological findings and historical documents, the author illustrates the historical significance of Ye city, both as capital for six dynasties over 370 years in ancient Chinese history and as a paragon of an East Asian capital. Ye serves as an exemplary model for famous capitals in later dynasties of imperial China, such as Beijing and Xi'an. Its influence also extends to other East Asian counterparts, including Seoul in Korea, Kyoto in Japan and Hanoi in Vietnam. Comparing the archetypical structure of Ye city and the features of its East Asian descendants, the author encapsulates the lineage of capital city development across medieval East Asia and uncovers a philosophy of constriction that rests upon traditional Chinese thinking. The book will be an essential read for scholars and general readers interested in East Asian heritage, urbanology and architecture, as well as a useful reference for urban planners willing to learn from historical experience"-- Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction I. General Overview II. Origin III. Oblivion and Erroneous Locations IV. Four Stages of Research On Ye V. Implications of Research On Ye Notes 1 Ye City’s Rise As a Regional Center I. Origination and Early Development of the City II. Reconstruction and Expansion Notes 2 Ye Capital of Cao-Wei and Its Layout System I. From a Regional Center to the National Capital II. Construction of the Ye Capital III. Buildings and Capital System of the Ye City of Cao-Wei (I) City Walls and Gates (II) Three Terraces (III) Palaces 1. Palace Gates 2. Inner Court, Outer Court, and Harem i. Halls of the Outer Court ii. Halls of the Inner Court iii. Harem 3. Crown Prince Palace (太子宫) 4. Altar of the Soil and Grain (太社) and Ancestral Temple 5. Bronze Bird Garden (IV) Government Offices Outside the Palace City (V) Twin Gatetowers and Streets (VI) Quarter Lanes (里巷) (VII) Ye Market (邺市) (VIII) Outside Buildings (X) Ye City’s Water Conservancy Works Notes 3 Identification of Cao Cao’s Gao Mausoleum: Layout of the Ye Palace City I. Authenticity of the Mausoleum (I) Ancient Records (II) Archaeological Evidence (III) Other Evidence II. Location, Direction and Type of the Mausoleum (I) Origin of the Gao Mausoleum (II) Site Selection, Construction, and Direction of Gao Mausoleum (III) Type and Features of Gao Mausoleum III. Unearthed Antiquities and Relevant Research (I) Bronze Seal and Yellow Silk Robe With Brocade Collar and Sleeves (2) Plan of the Grand West Tomb and the Design of the Ye Palace of Wei Notes 4 Changes and Destruction of the Ye city in the Wei and Jin Dynasties I. Transition From the National Capital to a Regional Center II. Ye City in the Western Jin Epoch III. Rebellion of the Eight Kings and the Burning Down of the Ye City Notes 5 Ye City’s Revival in Later Zhao and Its Layout Design I. The Founding of Later Zhao and the Relocation of Its Capital to Ye II. Reconstruction of the Ye City III. City Layout and Structures (I) City Walls and Gates (II) Three Terraces (III) Palace Buildings and Furnishings Harem—West Garden Palace for Crown Prince—east Palace (IV) Government Offices (V) Streets and Lanes (VI) Other Buildings (VII) Outer Buildings (VIII) Revolts in Later Zhao and Northern Wei and the Wars in Ye Notes 6 Ye City’s Prosperity in Former Yan and Its Decline in Later Dynasties I. The Capital of Former Yan II. Ye City’s Decline in Former Qin and Later Yan Notes Epilogue: Influence of Ye City’s Layout On Many Ancient Capitals in East Asia I. Changes and Characteristics of the Ye City’s Layout II. The “ye—daxing—chang’an” Capital Lineage III. Ye City and the Layout of North Korea and South Korea’s Ancient Capitals IV. The Layout of the Ye City and Ancient Japanese Capitals V. Formation of Layout of the East Asian Capital Cities in the Medieval Period Notes Bibliography Index