moonshayde: (Langue)
moonshayde ([personal profile] moonshayde) wrote2008-12-16 09:42 am

Oh Knowledgable Ones

Well, halo thar ice *listens to the ping-ping*

Perhaps the all knowing and powerful flist can help me today.

As I've said before and asked before, I am looking for some research info. I'm having a hard time finding book, journal articles, anything on this topic.

I am looking for some information on the culture, history, and customs of people who lived in the Chinese Imperial Court in the 13th centruy, specially in the time right before Khan conquered the Song Dynasty. I am trying to research the years of 1268-1274 or at least as wide as 1250-1275.

Most specifically, I am looking to see how Imperial concubines lived and what life was like in the Palace.

Questions I've been considering:

What did the Imperial Palace look like? How was it set up?

What did the concubines do (besides the obvious)? Where did they sleep? Where did they eat? WHAT did they eat? How did they dress? Act? What was their literacy level?

What was the difference in function between courteseans and concubines? How many practiced footbinding?

How did the lives of concubines in the Palace contrast with the rest of the kingdom?

What were the Chinese zodiac years for this time period?

I have tons more questions, but these are just examples of what I am looking for. Most of my research has been more towards the modern day. I know quite a bit about Imperial China now, but the information I vitally need I can't find anywhere.

If anyone knows of any sources (I need actual real factual sources) or places I can go, I would appreciate it!
ext_3314: Woman writing (Archaeology porn)

[identity profile] pepper-field.livejournal.com 2008-12-16 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know how useful it will be, but the British Museum has a searchable collection. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database.aspx I tried putting in "China", and the dates, and got several pages of objects, some with more details.

It's not in-depth, but it might be helpful for getting an idea of the look of the time? And I imagine other museums will have similar things - it's just I know the British Museum best. :)

[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com 2008-12-16 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure if that is one of the places I've hit or not, so I will go check it out. Thanks :)
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[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com 2008-12-16 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I rely on JSTOR for everything. It became my best friend when I was working on my MA LOL

But I've had such bad luck finding anything there lately for the purposes of this research, I should try again.

I'll see what I can find on university sites too. I had already tried in the past, but it never hurts to look again.
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[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com 2008-12-16 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah *sigh* I've tried both public libraries and university libraries. Someone somewhere must have this information! LOL

[identity profile] a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com 2008-12-17 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
Hmmm... Have you tried Wikipedia?

*hugs*

[identity profile] banana-cave.livejournal.com 2008-12-22 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, I can't help you but it sounds interesting! I would make a trip to the library (or browse it online) and find some good books.