Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science

ISSN Print: 2576-0556 Downloads: 329629 Total View: 2802819
Frequency: monthly ISSN Online: 2576-0548 CODEN: JHASAY
Email: jhass@hillpublisher.com
Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.08.015

Characteristics of Food Culture in the Ming Dynasty from Xu Xiake’s Travels

Xiaowei Li

College of History, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, China.

*Corresponding author: Xiaowei Li

Published: September 4,2024

Abstract

Xu Xiake (1587-1641) was an exceptional traveler during the late Ming Dynasty. He journeyed extensively throughout the country, documenting his experiences in Xu Xiake’s Travels, which serves as a vital resource for understanding Chinese society and culture during this period. Xu Xiake's Travels presents insights into the natural landscapes, local customs, and social conditions of regions such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan in a diary format. It is important to note that while some scholars have acknowledged the significance of Xu Xiake's Travels in the context of dietary history, these discussions remain incomplete and do not fully leverage the text to explore the characteristics of Ming food culture comprehensively. This paper delves into the dietary records found in Xu Xiake's writings, conducting a thorough investigation, and posits that the diet of the Ming Dynasty exhibits three key characteristics: a greater variety of food types, a higher degree of marketization, and more pronounced local distinctions.

References

(Ming Dynasty) anonymous author, Kong Xianyi annotated: "RuMengLu" No. 6 "Market Chronicle", ZhongZhou Ancient Books Publishing House, 1984 edition, pp. 28-57.

(Ming Dynasty) Xu Xiake, translated and annotated by Zhu Huirong and Li Xinghe, Xu Xiake's Travels, Book 2, Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2015 edition, p. 740.

(Ming Dynasty) Xu Xiake by Zhu Huirong, translated and annotated by Li Xinghe, The Travels of Xu Xiake, Book 4, Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2015 edition, p. 2230.

(Ming Dynasty) Xu Xiake, translated and annotated by Zhu Huirong and Li Xinghe. Xu Xiake's Travels, Book 2, Beijing: China Bookstore, 2015 edition, p. 947.

(Ming Dynasty) Xu Xiake, translated and annotated by Zhu Huirong and Li Xinghe, The Travels of Xu Xiake, Book 1, Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2015 edition, p. 593, p. 637.

(Ming Dynasty) Xu Xiake, translated and annotated by Zhu Huirong and Li Xinghe, The Travels of Xu Xiake, Book 3, Beijing: Zhonghua Shuju, 2015 edition, p. 1804.

Baoliang Chen. A History of Social Life in the Ming Dynasty, Beijing: China Social Science Publishing, 2004 edition,   p. 267.

Hairong Xu. A History of Chinese Cuisine - Volume V, Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House, 1999 edition, p. 4, p. 40.

Ning Li :<History of Chinese Dietary Thought> under the Ming Dynasty dietary thought [J]. Food Industry, 2020, No.12, p.357.

Ning Wang. Ancient Chinese Cuisine and Food Culture [J]. Journal of Shaanxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), 2021, 50(06):48.

Rui Tao. Study on Chinese and foreign food culture exchange in the Ming Dynasty [J]. Comparative Research on Cultural Innovation, 2022, 6(17):170.

Tao Xu, Keqin Zhou, Dorandi, et al. Geographic distribution of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavor preferences in Chinese diet [J]. Gastronomy Research, 2023, 40(04):19.

Weijun Yao. The Travels of Xu Xiake and Yunnan Food Culture in the Ming Dynasty [C]// Editorial Board of Research on Food Culture. Research on Food Culture (2005, No.1). Editorial Board of Research on Food Culture, 2005:67-70.

Xianqing Zhang. A Study of Social Transformation in the Late Ming Dynasty, Beijing: China Social Science Press, 2004 edition, p. 6.

Xiaoming Sun, Chenlong Sun. The Inheritance of Ancient Food Culture through Food Classic [J]. China Grain Economy, 2023, (02):75.

Yiming Pang. Xu Xiake's Dietary Examination on the Journey [C]//Beijing China Xu Xiake Research Association, Zhejiang Xu Xiake Research Association, Shaoxing Tourism Bureau. Xu Xiake in Zhejiang - Continuation of the second—Xu Xiake and Yue Culture and China Shaoxing Tourism Culture Symposium Proceedings. China Earth Press, 2003:163-180.

How to cite this paper

Characteristics of Food Culture in the Ming Dynasty from Xu Xiake's Travels

How to cite this paper: Xiaowei Li. (2024) Characteristics of Food Culture in the Ming Dynasty from Xu Xiake's Travels. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science8(8), 1889-1893.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.08.015