Bringing together over sixty pre-modern Chinese primary sources on same-sex desire in English translation, Homoeroticism in Imperial China is an important addition to the growing field of the comparative history of sexuality and provides a window onto the continuous cultural relevance of same-sex desire in Chinese history.

Negotiating what can be a challenging area for both specialists and non-specialists alike, this sourcebook provides:

• accurate translations of key original extracts from classical Chinese
• concise explanations of the context and significance of each entry
• translations which preserve the aesthetic quality of the original sources

An authoritative and well organised guide and introduction to the original Chinese sources, this sourcebook covers histories and philosophers, poetry, drama (including two complete plays), fiction (including four complete short stories and full chapters from longer novels) and miscellanies. Each of these sections are organised chronologically, and as well as the general introduction, short introductions are provided for each genre and source.

Revealing what is a remarkably sophisticated and complex literary tradition, Homoeroticism in Imperial China is an essential sourcebook for students and scholars of Imperial Chinese history and culture and sexuality studies.

Introduction

Part I: Histories and Philosophers

1.1 Extract from Remainder of the Zhou Documents (Yi Zhou shu), 4th Century BCE

1.2 Extract from The Annals of Master Yan (Yanzi Chunqiu), 4th Century BCE?

1.3 Extract from Han Feizi (Han Feizi), 3rd century BCE

1.4 Extracts from Zuo’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuo zhuan), 3rd Century BCE

1.5 Extracts from Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguo ce), 1st Century BCE

1.6 Extract from A Garden of Stories (Shuo yuan), 1st Century BCE

1.7 Extract from Records of the Historian (Shiji), 2nd to 1st Century BCE

1.8 Extract from The History of the Former Han (Han shu), 1st Century CE

1.9 Extract from History of the Chen (Chenshu), Early 7th Century

1.10 Extract from The History of the Ming, Early 18th Century

Part II: Poetry

2.1 Poetry Compendia

2.1.1 Poems from New Songs from a Jade Terrace (Yutai xinyong), compiled by Xu Ling (507-583).

2.1.2 Poems from Literature Collected and Arranged by Topic (Yiwen leiju, 624), compiled by Ouyang Xun (557-641).

2.1.3 Selected songs from Love Songs and Folksongs (Guazhi’er, Shange), compiled by Feng Menglong (1574-1646)

2.1.4 Selected songs from Folksongs from the Theatre World of Beijing (Beiping liyuan zhuzhi shi), compiled by Zhang Cixi, 1937.

2.2 Individual Poets

2.2.1 Tang Xianzu (1550-1616)

2.2.2 Wu Weiye (Wu Meicun, 1609-1672)

2.2.3 Qian Qianyi (1582-1664)

2.2.4 Gong Dingzi (1615-1673)

2.2.5 Chen Weisong (1625-1682)

2.2.6 Yuan Mei (1716-1798)

2.2.7 Jiang Shiquan (1725-1784)

2.2.8 Zhao Yi (1727-1814)

2.2.9 Liang Shaoren (1792-?1837)

2.2.10 Li Ciming (1829-1894)

Part III: Drama

3.1 Libretti

3.1.1 A Male Queen Consort, by Wang Jide (?-1632)

3.1.2 Act Ten from The Loving Perfume Companion, by Li Yu (1611-1680).

3.1.3 The Catamite, by Huang Fangyin, late Ming.

3.2 Flower-Guides

3.2.1 Extracts from A Small Book on the Orchids of Yan (Yanlan xiaopu, 1785), Wu Changyuan

3.2.2 Extracts from Record of the Tear Stained Golden Stage (Jintai canlei ji, 1829), Zhang Jiliang (Hauxu Daifu)

3.2.3 Extracts from A Guide to the Jade Shoots of the dingyou Year (Dingnian yusun zhi, 1837), Yang Maojian (Ruizhu jiushi)

3.2.4 Extracts from Fragmentary Records from Dreams of Past Glory (Menghua suobu, 1843), Yang Maojian (Ruizhu jiushi)

3.2.5 Extract from A Joint Record of Shining Lads (Mingtong helu, 1864), Yu Budiaotu and Dianchunsheng

3.2.6 Extracts from Words on Opera from Yueman Hall (Yuemantang juhua), Li Ciming

3.2.7 Extracts from A Record of Fragmented Dreams from South of Xuanwu Gate (Xuannan lingmeng lu, 1875), Shen Taimou

Part IV: Fiction

4.1 From The Stones Nodded Assent (Shi dian tou), Early 17th Century

4.2 From The Forgotten Tales of Longyang (Longyang yishi), Preface 1632

4.3 From Caps with Hairpins (Bian’er chai), Early 17th Century

4.4 From Fragrant Beauty Inspiring Ardour (Yichun xiangzhi), Early 17th Century

4.5 From Silent Operas, by Li Yu, 1656

4.6 From Peach Blossom Shadows, by Xu Zhen, Mid 17th Century

4.7 From Liaozhai’s Records of the Strange (Liaozhai zhiyi), by Pu Songling, Late 17th Century

4.8 From A Precious Mirror for Grading Flowers (Pinhua baojian, 1849), by Chen Sen (after 1797 - before 1870)

Part V: Miscellanies

5.1 Extract from An Investigation of Diverse Curiosities (Qingyilu), by Tao Gu (903?-970)

5.2 Extract from Miscellaneous Records of Guixin Street (Guixin zashi), by Zhou Mi (1232-1298)

5.3 Extracts from A Fivefold Miscellany (Wuzazu), by Xie Zhaozhe (1567-1624)

5.4 Extracts from A History of Passion in Classified Outline (Qingshi leilüe), by Feng Menglong (1574-1646)

5.5 Extracts from Unofficial Gleanings on the Wanli Reign (Wanli yehuobian, 1606), Shen Defu (1578-1642)

5.6 Extracts from Dream Reminiscences of Tao’an (Tao’an mengyi) and A Langhuan Anthology (Langhuan wenji), Zhang Dai (1597-?1689)

5.7 Extract from Anecdotes of the Old Capital (Jiujing yishi), by Shi Xuan, Early 17th Century

5.8 Extracts from Idle Talk Under a Bean Arbour (Doupeng xianhua), by Aina Jushi, Late 17th Century

5.9 Zheng Xie’s (1693-1765) love of male-beauty

5.10 Extract from What the Master Refused to Discuss (Zi bu yu, 1788), by Yuan Mei (1716-1798)

5.11 Extracts from Poetry Notes from the Garden of Spontaneous Ease (Suiyuan shihua, 1790), by Yuan Mei (1716-1798)

5.12 Extracts from Notes from the Hut for Observing Small Things (Yueweicaotang biji, 1793), Ji Yun (1724-1805)

5.13 Extracts from Notes from Unusual Autumn Rain Studio (Liangban qiuyu’an suibi, 1837), Liang Shaoren (1792-?1837)

5.14 Extracts from Concealed Jottings in a Golden Ewer (Jinhu dunmo), by Huang Junzai (1825-?)

5.15 Extracts from A Collection for Burying Worry (Maiyouji, 1845), by Zhu Yiqing

5.16 Extracts from Dream Record of the Capital (Chunming menglu, 1922), by He Gangde