343
Ronald G. Knapp, The Chinese House: Craft, Symbol and the Folk Tradition, (Hong Kong, Oxford University Press, Images of Asia Series, 1990) viii + 87 pp. Index
The study of traditional Chinese rural architecture is critical to the clarification of the "little tradition" of the ordinary Chinese villager. It is still the case that too little is known of how the 98% of Chinese who dwelt in rural areas lived. Until we can understand how people in the villages lived, what the physical surroundings were in which they passed their lives; until we can truly understand the harshnesses and simplicities of these houses; until we can see how the houses were created, and from what materials until then we cannot really understand China.
Studies on traditional vernacular architecture in China are not common, in any language. In English, Prof. Knapp is almost alone in writing about such buildings. His China's Traditional Rural Architecture, A Cultural Geography of The Common House (Univ. of Hawaii Press, 1986) and China's Vernacular Architecture: House Form and Culture (Univ. of Hawaii Press, 1989) are far and away the best introduction to the subject. This book from Oxford University Press is a shortened and simplified introduction to these two fuller treatments. It is very welcome, as providing a short, but masterly, summary of this important subject to the general reader.
There are inadequacies in this volume. In particular, the terrace houses which are found in the general Hong Kong area are not treated in it, nor, indeed, in Prof. Knapp's other books. In general, they treat the northern Chinese houses more fully and satisfactorily than the southern. More detailed plans and usage descriptions would be desirable. A glossary including Chinese characters is badly needed. It is greatly to be hoped that Prof. Knapp will one day produce a definitive, and exhaustive, study.
This book, by Oxford University Press, is marked by a wealth of illustrations, many of a very high quality. The book is well worth the very modest cost. Anyone reading it will receive an excellent introduction to an important subject.
P.H. Hase
343
Ronald G. Knapp, The Chinese House: Craft, Symbol and the Folk Tradition, (Hong Kong, Oxford university Press, Images of Asia Series, 1990) viii + 87 pp. Index
The study of traditional Chinese rural architecture is critical to the clarification of the "little tradition" of the ordinary Chinese villager. It is still the case that too little is known of how the 98% of Chinese who dwelt in rural areas lived. Until we can understand how people in the villages lived, what the physical surroundings were in which they passed their lives; until we can truly understand the harshnesses and simplicities of these houses; until we can see how the houses were created, and from what materials until then we cannot really understand China.
Studies on traditional vernacular architecture in China are not common, in any language. In English, Prof. Knapp is almost alone in writing about such buildings. His China's Traditional Rural Architecture, A Cultural Geography of The Common House (Univ. of Hawaii Press, 1986) and China's Vernacular Architecture: House Form and Culture (Univ. of Hawaii Press, 1989) are far and away the best introduction to the subject. This book from Oxford University Press is a shortened and simplified introduction to these two fuller treatments. It is very welcome, as providing a short, but masterly, summary of this important subject to the general reader.
There are inadequacies in this volume. In particular, the terrace houses which are found in the general Hong Kong area are not treated in it, nor, indeed, in Prof. Knapp's other books. In general. they treat the northern Chinese houses more fully and satisfactorily than the southern. More detailed plans and usage descriptions would be desirable. A glossary including Chinese characters is badly needed. It is greatly to be hoped that Prof. Knapp will one day produce a definitive, and exhaustive, study.
This book, by Oxford University Press, is marked by a wealth of illustrations, many of a very high quality. The book is well worth the very modest cost. Anyone reading it will receive an excellent introduction to an important subject.
P.H. HASE
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