Chinese Stuff: A Visual Guide to Everyday Chinese Aesthetics and Culture (English Edition)
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Discover the China You Won't Find in Guidebooks
Why does a simple cabbage represent prosperity? How does a folding stool reflect Chinese adaptability? In Chinese Stuff, professor Wu Xuefu and his team turn their lens on the mundane objects of daily Chinese life—the things so common they often go unnoticed.
Through 117 short, insightful entries and vivid full-color photography, this book decodes the cultural DNA embedded in everyday items. From the Huarongdao puzzle to the Candied Haws on a Stick, each object is presented as a fragment of a larger social fabric. The book doesn't just describe what these things are; it explains why they matter, revealing the improvisation, pragmatism, and aesthetic preferences that shape modern Chinese life.
What You'll Find Inside:
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Visual Encyclopedia: A meticulously curated collection of 117 objects, from traditional tools to modern conveniences, each captured in clear, high-quality photographs.
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Cultural Insight: Concise, engaging texts that unpack the symbolic meaning, historical legacy, and social habits behind each item.
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Authentic Perspective: Written for an international audience by Chinese scholars, offering a genuine look at the "live and animated" China rather than just grand narratives.



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