Help/Advice on Shang

[AskingQuestions]

Hi Everybody,

I need your help!

Background:
Me and two others are creating an informative Yijing Booklet. Its a collaboration piece that when finished should be around 25-40 pages. Right now it is only in the idea/structural realm of existence. I am in charge of mostly all of the written information. The Booklet won't be including a translation or commentary (other than examples). The idea is to give a background to the text with subjects such as what we know of the Yi's history and methods of divination.

My Current Focus is on the Shang Dynasty. Even more narrowly, their connection to Oracle Bone Divination, Sacrificial Rituals and Ancestor Worship. I know only enough to give surface information on these topics.

What I need are reputable works of reference that I can dive into to get more thorough information on these topics. Anyone? I'd be so grateful for any links or books that fit this mold.

Thanks in advance,
Courtney

 

[charly]

Dear Courtney:

You have

The Cambridge History of Ancient China. By Michael Loewe, Edward L. Shaughnessy.
Chapter IV, p.232 and ss. The Shang: Cina's first historical dynasty, by David N. Keightley

Available in Google Books:
https://books.google.com.ar/books?i...MAhWEvZAKHbnqDkIQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

The Origins of Chinese Civilization
Chaper 17: The Late Shang Stae by David N, Keightley:

Fully available in Google Books:
https://books.google.com.ar/books?i...MAhXHEJAKHUXfBjAQ6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

David N. Keightley is one of the authorities on Shang divination.

There are many papers available in the web in pdf.

He has some books, I don´t know if affordable:

Sources of Shang History. The Oracle-Bone Inscriptions of Bronze Age China

These Bones Shall Rise Again. Selected Writings on Early China

I go to look for more.

All the best,


Charly

P.D.:
Maybe btter to begin with Prof. Robert Eno:
http://www.indiana.edu/~g380/3.3-Bones-2010.pdf

More from Indiana University:

www.indiana.edu/~e232/02-Shang.pdf
www.indiana.edu/~g380/3.6-Shang_Religion-2010.pdf
www.indiana.edu/~p374/Yijing.pdf
www.indiana.edu/~p374/c511/C511_4-Philology.pdf
www.indiana.edu/~p374/c511/C511_6f-Technical_Aids.pdf

Ch.

 

[AskingQuestions]

Charly,

Thank you so much. I appreciate it!

-Courtney

 

[charly]

Charly,
Thank you so much. I appreciate it!
-Courtney

Hi, Cortney:

Maybe you already know it, but ChinaKnowledge is a must:

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang-religion.html
​

Easily navigable, mainly text, well documented, names in chinese. Much convinient for copying and searching.

All the best,

Charly

 

[AskingQuestions]

Hi, Cortney:

Maybe you already know it, but ChinaKnowledge is a must:

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/shang-religion.html
​

Easily navigable, mainly text, well documented, names in chinese. Much convinient for copying and searching.

All the best,

Charly

Thanks again, Charly!

 

[svenrus]

AND:
" Sima Qian (about 145- 90 BCE), or Ssi-ma Ch’ien, inherited from his father the position of grand historian to the Emperor, which had been a position largely concerned with keeping astronomical records. However, Sima Qian also took on an ambitious project started by his father—production of the first full history of China. This broadranging work extending over 130 chapters is not in historical sequence but divided into particular subjects, including annals,chronicles, treatises—on music, ceremonies, calendars, religion,economics—and extended biographies. In this way, the Shihchi,or Recordsof the Historian, covers the period from the Five Sages of prehistoric times, through the Xia, Shang, Zhou, and Qin dynasties to the Han dynasty of Sima Qian’sown time. The Zhou dynasty, probably founded just before 1,000 BCE, represents the beginning of the historic period and has provided archeological evidence that confirms some of Sima Qian’s history."

to example:
http://www.amazon.com/Records-Grand-Historian-Qin-Dynasty/dp/0231081693

:bows:​

 

[svenrus]

And: http://www.sino-platonic.org/complete/spp164_shang_zhou.pdf

You probably know this page, something could be found here.

 

[charly]

... Sima Qian (about 145- 90 BCE), or Ssi-ma Ch’ien, inherited from his father the position of grand historian to the Emperor, which had been a position largely concerned with keeping astronomical records. However, Sima Qian also took on an ambitious project started by his father—production of the first full history of China. This broadranging work extending over 130 chapters is not in historical sequence but divided into particular subjects, including annals,chronicles, treatises—on music, ceremonies, calendars, religion,economics—and extended biographies...

Hi, Svenrus:

Maybe you always know: in Archive.org there is the book about Sima Qian by Burton Watson:

https://archive.org/details/ssumachiengrandh012602mbp​

All the best,

Charly

 

[svenrus]

Thank You very much Charly. Another thing is, why Shang ? I've allways thought I Ching in comparison with Zhou ? Never mind, Sima, I think thou not directly about divinatory history then about some of those historical events mentioned here and there througout I Ching.

 

[charly]

Thank You very much Charly. Another thing is, why Shang ? I've allways thought I Ching in comparison with Zhou ? Never mind, Sima, I think thou not directly about divinatory history then about some of those historical events mentioned here and there througout I Ching.

Hi, Svenrus:

Courtney needs Shang information for a collaborative work in which she is engaged. I agree with you althogh Zhous inherited much from Shangs, a little demonized by Zhous intents to own legitimation.

All the best,

Charly