This volume examines the role of dynastic rulers, the imperial system, and the ruling literati in the promotion and shaping of Chinese thought and culture. It includes ten papers chosen for publication from a conference held in Taiwan in September 1992: Determining Orthodoxy: Imperial Roles by Jack L. Dull; Ssu-ma Chiens Portrayal of the First Chin Emperor by Stephan Durrant; The Literary Emperor: The Case of Han Wu-ti by David R. Knechtges; Empress Wu and Feminist Sentiments in Tang China by Chen Jo-shui; Academies: Official Sponsorship and Suppression by Thomas H. C. Lee; Imperial Power and The Reestablishment of Monastic Order in the Northern Sung by Huang Chi-chiang; Imperial Rulership in Cultural History: Chu Hsis Interpretation by Huang Chun-chieh; The Emperor and the Star Spirits: A Mythological Reading of the Shui-hu chuan by Frederick P. Brandeur; Ku Yen-wus Image and Ideal of the Emperor: A Cultural Giant and Political Dwarf by Ku Wei-ying; and Imperial Power and the Appointment of Provincial Governors in Ching China by R. Kent Guy.

It will be of interest to students of Chinese culture including literature, art, religion, philosophy, and politics.

Frederick P. Brandauer is professor emeritus of Chinese at the University of Washington. Chun-Chieh Huang is distinguished professor of general education, dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, and director of the Program of East Asian Confucianisms at National Taiwan University. Contributors include Huang Chi-chiang, Jack L. Dull, Stephan Durrant, R. Kent Guy, Chen Jo-shui, David R. Knechtges, Thomas H. C. Lee, and Ku Wei-ying.

Acknowledgments

Introduction / Frederick P. Brandauer

1. Determining Orthodoxy: Imperial Roles / Jack L. Dull

2. Ssu-ma Ch'ien's Portrayal of the First Ch'in Emperor / Stephen Durrant

3. The Emperor and Literature: Emperor Wu of the Han / David R. Knechtges

4. Empress Wu and Proto-Feminist Sentiments in T'and China / Chen Jo-Shui

5. Academies: Official Sponsorship and Suppression / Thomas H. C. Lee

6. Imperial Rulership and Buddhism in the Early Northern Sung / Huang Chi-Chiang

7. Imperial Rulership in Cultural History: Chu Hsi's Interpretation / Chun-Chieh Huang

8. The Emperor and the Star Spirits: A Mythological Reading of the Shi-hu chuan / Frederick P. Brandauer

9. Ku Yen-wu's Ideal of the Emperor: A Cultural Giant and Political Dwarf / Ku Wei-Ying

10. Imperial Powers and the Appointment of Provincial Governors in Ch'ing China, 1700-1900 / R. Kent Guy

11. Some Observations and Reflections / Chun-Chieh Huang

Contributors

Index