Qin

Qin, published in 2008, examines the history and cultural significance of the ancient Chinese musical instrument known as the qin. Author Cecilia Lindqvist explores this seven-stringed zither through archaeological findings, historical documents, and her own experiences studying the instrument in China. The book traces the qin's development from early dynasties through modern times, documenting its role in Chinese philosophy, art, and social customs. The text incorporates translations of classical Chinese sources and includes photographs of historical instruments alongside technical diagrams of playing techniques. Lindqvist combines research on musical traditions with insights into Chinese intellectual history and the lives of scholars who played the qin. Through detailed accounts of the instrument's construction, notation systems, and performance practices, she reconstructs centuries of musical knowledge. The work presents the qin as more than an instrument - it emerges as a lens through which to understand Chinese aesthetics and the relationship between music, nature, and human cultivation.

Readers appreciate Lindqvist's depth of research on Chinese characters and their origins, with many noting her clear explanations of how pictographs evolved into modern Chinese writing. Several scholars and students mentioned using it as a reference for understanding character etymology. Readers liked: - Detailed archaeological photographs - Clear progression showing character evolution - Cultural context behind character development - Accessible writing style for non-experts Main criticisms: - Limited availability in English - Some chapters feel repetitive - High price point for printed versions - Print quality issues in newer editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) One reader on Goodreads wrote: "The photographic documentation makes abstract concepts tangible." An Amazon reviewer noted: "Worth hunting down for serious students of Chinese writing, though the price is steep."

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🔸 Author Cecilia Lindqvist spent over 20 years studying Chinese language and culture in China, beginning her studies there in 1962 when very few Westerners had access to the country. 🔸 The book explores how Chinese writing evolved from ancient pictographs to modern characters, using archaeological findings from the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE) to illustrate this transformation. 🔸 Many of the photographs in the book were taken by Lindqvist herself during her extensive travels throughout China, documenting ancient inscriptions and archaeological sites. 🔸 The original Swedish version of the book, "Tecknens Rike," won the August Prize (Sweden's most prestigious literary award) in 1989. 🔸 Through careful analysis of oracle bones, bronze vessels, and bamboo strips, the book demonstrates how many modern Chinese characters can be traced back to concrete objects and concepts from daily life in ancient China.