Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank [Hardcover]

Beverley Jackson (Author), David Hugus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

NOW IN PAPERBACK!For 13 centuries, throughout China male recruits studied diligently for a long series of grueling examinations in hopes of achieving the civil rank that would enable them to serve the emperor of China. For the fortunate few who passed these exams there were nine possible ranks, each identified by a square badge of finely woven kesi, embroidery, or brocade. Now available in paperback, LADDER TO THE CLOUDS offers a thorough analysis of symbols, styles, and techniques used in mandarin square ranks, along with the most complete information for their identification to date.An exploration of Chinese symbols and customs, many of which are still practiced today.Includes vintage photographs and detailed descriptions, photos, and illustrations.Finalist for the 2000 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Award.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With Hugus, a collector who supplies many of the examples here as well as much of the more scholarly text, Jackson, the writer of Splendid Slippers: A Thousand Years of an Erotic Tradition, tackles another intriguing Chinese social phenomenon: official rank and its insignia as represented in the imperial costume of Ming and Ch'ing dynasties (1368-1912). Each rank was identified by a finely woven or embroidered silk square that was worn on the front and back of a surcoat. The iconography--birds for civil ranks and real and mythological animals for military ranks--indicates not only official status but also the general Chinese worldview. Although the pictures and text are at times somewhat uncoordinated, the beautifully reproduced full-color illustrations of the badges together with archival photographs do provide a multifaceted view of the ancient system. This first comprehensive book on the topic--providing a historical and cultural background as well as information for decoding Chinese symbols on imperial dress--serves as a guide for art, military, and cultural historians as well as collectors. Recommended for larger collections of Asian art and culture in both academic and public libraries.
-Lucia S. Chen, NYPL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

* An exploration of Chinese symbols and customs, many of which are still practiced today.

* Includes vintage photographs and detailed descriptions, photos, and illustrations.

* Finalist for the 2000 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Award. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 326 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580081274
• ISBN-13: 978-1580081276
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 1.1 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Los Angeles, an inveterate traveler, I ultimately moved to Santa Barbara, California, in 1963. My writing life began with a people column I wrote for the Santa Barbara News-Press for 22 years. In 1975, an unexpected trip to China during the Cultural Revolution with Jayne Meadows and Steve Allen totally changed my life.

One dark night in Shanghai, when my traveling companions were ill, there was nothing to do. We weren't allowed to take any reading material into China. No TV. I was wandering the halls of the Peace Hotel, studying the Art Deco elevator doors, the sconces, the radiator covers, totally bored, when a tiny waiter who spoke a bit of English whispered, "Go shopping...they open the friendship store for Polish sailors who sail tomorrow." So I took my flashlight (no cars were on roads then, so there were no lights at all anywhere) walked the five blocks, and ended up buying a lovely 19th-century Chinese women's robe.

That first robe led to building one of the major collections of antique Chinese clothing in United States. Researching this collection for lectures on life in 18th- and 19th-century China (which I've delivered in many museums in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China) led to my writing five nonfiction books. Now I'm doing something very adventuresome for an 82-year old. I've just self-published my first novel, "The Beautiful Lady was a Palace Eunuch."

And next, as my dear friend the late Julia Child told me when my first publishing venture, "Splendid Slippers: A Thousand Years of an Erotic Tradition," came out in 1998: "Now dear, you really have to work...you have to go out and sell your book!"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ladder to the Clouds, April 21, 2000

By 

Esta S. Cueni Lupo (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank (Hardcover)

This book is a must for anyone interested in Asian art and, in particular, the Chinese rank system and the textiles associated with it. I expect this book to become THE reference book on the subject. I highly recommend it to all those dealing in antique Chinese objects and museums specializing in Asian art. It is obvious to me that both authors have not only throughly researched their topics but also are impassioned by them.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Mandarin Squares and Chinese Culture, June 24, 2001

By 

thenewyorkie "mhatch" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank (Hardcover)

I love this book! The two different parts of this book really works. In Part One, written by Beverley Jackson is an interesting look at Chinese culture and the journey to the mandarin squares. The fictional story of two boys and their different journeys brings the mandarin squares to life. The studying and sacrifices involved in order to wear the mandarin square are staggering. It heightens the appreciation of the squares themselves in Part Two.

In Part Two, David Hugus does an excellent job in dissecting and then explaining the elements making up the squares. Beyond the intellectual and technical issues, Hugus also discusses mandarin squares in the marketplace.

The two authors obviously have a great love and interest in the mandarin squares and the Chinese culture. I recommend this book highly.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The History of the Mandarin Squares, March 28, 2000

By 

Norbert Richter (Silver City, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ladder to the Clouds: Intrigue and Tradition in Chinese Rank (Hardcover)

This is the best and most complete book available on Mandarin Squares. A must read for the collector of these badges.

The text is extremely informative and the most comprehensive on the subject. It has well over 100 beautiful pictures of many examples of the nine civil and nine military rank badges.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese Textiles especially in the intricate embroidered Mandarin Squares and learn about their history.