What’s the Significance?
Sui dynasty, 366–67
Tang dynasty, 367–68
Song dynasty, 367–72
Hangzhou, 369
economic revolution, 369–71
foot binding, 371–72
tribute system, 373–76
Xiongnu, 374–75
Khitan/Jurchen people, 375–76
Silla dynasty (Korea), 377–79
hangul, 379
chu nom, 381
Shotoku Taishi, 381
bushido, 382
Izumi Shikibu, 384–85
Chinese Buddhism, 388–92
Emperor Wendi, 390
Big Picture Questions
Next Steps: For Further Study
Samuel Adshead, Tang China: The Rise of the East in World History (2004). Explores the role of China within the larger world.
Patricia Ebrey, The Inner Quarters (1993). A balanced account of the gains and losses experienced by Chinese women during the changes of the Song dynasty.
Mark Elvin, The Pattern of the Chinese Past (1973). A classic account of the Chinese economic revolution.
James L. Huffman, Japan in World History (2010). The first three chapters of this recent work place Japan’s early history in the framework of world history.
Paul S. Ropp, China in World History (2010). An up-to-date telling of China’s historical development, cast in a global context.
Arthur F. Wright, Buddhism in Chinese History (1959). An older account filled with wonderful stories and anecdotes.
Upper River during the Qing Ming Festival, http://www.ibiblio.org/ulysses/gec/painting/qingming/full.htm. A scrolling reproduction of a huge Chinese painting, showing in detail the Song dynasty city of Kaifeng.