Search Results: Titles starting with T from Orchid Press

Hong Kong: Henri Vetch, 2005. A richly illustrated first-hand account of life and social organization in a Buddhist nunnery of the Gelugpa or 'Yellow Hat' sect in the Tibetan borderlands of China. Based on field research and interviews, the book describes the history of the community, its physical premises, population and residence patterns. The authors also describe the motivations for becoming a nun, initiation rituals, community economy and living arrangements. An account is also given of religious and ritual practices at the nunnery. The Ta Ba Lin nunnery has been designated as a key historical site by the Chinese Government. The China Exploration and Research Society (CERS) has initiated a restoration and conservation project at the nunnery to improve the nuns' living quarters and other facilities and to preserve the nunnery's historic religious art. 135 pp., 97 col. and 1 b&w plate, 3 plans, map, references.. First Edition. Hard bound. New/New. 19 x 25 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2007. The authors offers a new look at the biography of Jayavarman VII, focusing on the ideology of abnegation followed by this Angkorian monarch. With his well-developed policy of public welfare, the king surpassed the contemporary European kings. The monograph shows how Ta Prohm was intricately connected with the royal welfare programs, since its foundations stele describes in detail the assistance given to the hospitals from the royal treasury. The monograph presents the temple of Ta Prohm in the context of Cambodian history, as the first dated temple of the reign of Jayavarman VII (1186), symbolizing the perfect wisdom in Khmer civilization with the mother of the king represented as Prajnaparamita, the mother of the Buddha. The monastic and spiritual life at the temple has been graphically reconstructed through a closer study of the inscriptions of Ta Prohm. Impressive annual and daily grants offered by the royal treasury to sustain the spiritual life of the kingdom have… Read More

Xining: Qinghai People's Publishing House, 1987. This album introduces the religious relics and activities of Taer (Kumbum) Monastery in Xining, Qinghai Province. Text in English and Chinese, [82 pp.], map, colour images throughout. . Softbound. Very Good. 17 x 19 cm..

Xining: Qinghai Ethnic Publishing House, 1984. The Ta'er Lamasery (Kumbum Monastery), in Xining, Qinghai Province, is one of the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temples in China. Dating to 1577, the complex is renowned not only for the grandeur of its architecture but also for its spectacular mountainside setting. The present volume offers views of the art and architecture of the complex, as well as some of the colourful and complex rituals practiced within. Repaired tear to dj, now protected in Mylar, endpapers a little foxed; interior pages clean and bright. Introductory essay and captions in English, Chinese and Tibetan. [iv], 137 pp., 148 col. plates, map. . Hardbound. Very Good/Very Good.

Bangkok: Editions Duong Kamol, 1994. A unique attempt by teacher and master Chow Kam Thye to present a form of Tai Chi Chuan that avoids deviations from the classic texts and brings the practice back to the original sources. Thirteen basic postures are taught and illustrated, all both easy to comprehend and at the same time bringing the student back to the heart of Tai Chi philosophy. Slight toning of cover and spine, but otherwise a new/unread copy. 93 pp., 63 b&w illustrations.. First Edition. Softbound. Near fine. 22 x 15 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2000. This first volume describes events in Thailand before the arrival of the Tai, and their history afterwards. It informs about the origin of the Tai race and shows the development of the ethnic Tai people in the context of the various Tai groups, their kingdoms, states and principalities in Asia in general, and in Thailand in particular. It also contains an extensive bibliography and 163 color illustrations. 264 pp., 56 pp. color illus.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2000. This book sketches each of the 30 Tai-speaking groups residing in Thailand: the Thai people of central Thailand, the numerous Lao Isan people of northeastern Thailand, the well-known Lao, Lue, Yuan and Tai Yai of northern Thailand; it also describes the lesser known and smaller groups (Kaleung, Khorat Tai, Lao Ga, Lao Krang, Lao Lom or Tai Dan, Lao Ngaew, Lao Song, Lao Ti, Lao Wieng, Phuan, Phu Tai, Seak, Southern Thai, Tai Bueng, Tai Dam, Tai Gapong, Tai Khoen, Tai Mao, Tai Wang, Tai Ya, Tai Yong, Tai Yor, Tak Bai Thai, Yoy) that are scattered throughout Thailand. The groups are presented with their domestic history, costumes and crafts, design of houses and villages, activities in agriculture and economy, society and religion. 253 pp., 40 pp. includes 115 color illus. A new/unread copy, slight tanning to spine common with this publisher's books.. First Edition. Soft Cover. As New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..

Taipei: The Orient Cultural Service, 1972. Orient Folklore and Social Life Monographs Vol. XXII. Chinese ballads were first discovered among the documents recovered from Dunhuang; thus the ballad was a form of Chinese folk expression from at least the 8th century and most likely earlier. The present volume presents a compilation of some 200 folk ballads extant in Taiwan in the mid twentieth century. Each ballad title is listed in both Chinese characters and Romanized form, followed by a detailed English summary of the tale being told, offering insights into Chinese folk morality, wisdom, foibles and superstition. Includes index of subjects addressed in the ballads, quite a number of which can be quite earthy. Ex-lib with three interior stamps on EPs and half-title page only (no external marks). End papers a little browned; interior pages clean and completely unmarked. ix, 171 pp. Scarce and interesting.. First Edition. Hardbound. Very Good. 21 x 14 cm..

Macao: Cultural and Recreational Services, 2000. Monograph on the Chinese bronzes of the Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BC). Of particular significance is the fact that the rich hoard of bronzes depicted in this study all came from a single tomb of an important historical figure (General Zhao Yang). The collection includes ritual / sacrificial vessels, musical instruments, arms, chariot fixtures and personal ornament; all bear rich surface decoration and are of the highest quality. Introductory essay describes the discovery of the hoard, its location, the significance of the contents and the advanced bronze casting technology of the time. Trilingual English, Portuguese and Chinese. 259 pp., 94 colour plates, over 100 line drawings, chronology of the political events of the period, illustrated glossary. Limited to 1,000 copies.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New. 30 x 24 cm.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994. 'Translation of the Ma Wang Tui Manuscripts by D. C. Lai'. The Tao Te Ching is surely the most terse and economical of the world's great religious texts. In a series of short, profound chapters it elucidates the idea of the Tao - or the Way - an idea that, in its ethical, practical and spiritual dimensions, has become essential to the life of China's enormously powerful civilization. Translation of 2000 year old Han Dynasty texts unearthed from the Mawangdui archaeological site at Changsha. Everyman's Library no. 158. xxxv, 131 pp.. First Edition. Hardbound. Fine. 21 x 13 cm..

Taipei: SMC, 1984. A translation of the great French scholar's epic study of Chinese native religion, especially the Tao, posthumously published in 1971 as La Taoisme et les Religions Chinoises. Commencing with an examination of Chinese society, folk religion and its myriad deities, Maspero continued with a detailed analysis of the practice of religious Taoism, including an investigation of the yoga-like procedures of nutrition, breathing and sexual techniques, all designed to ensure immortality for the practitioner. The author also examines the relationships between Tai and Vietnamese folk religion and that of the Chinese. Drawing as it does on well over 200 primary sources including the all-important Taoist Canon, the tao-tsang, this book remains a fundamentally significant reference on Taoism. xxxiii, 578 pp., key to primary sources used, glossary of Chinese characters and index. . Second printing. Hard bound. Very Good/Good. 21 x 16 cm..

Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 2000. This volume brings together a remarkable collection of art from one of China's most ancient and influential traditions. Produced to accompany the first major exhibition ever organized on the Taoist philosophy and religion, this opulent book includes more than 150 works of art from as early as the late Zhou Dynasty (5th to 3rd century BCE) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Many of these works are paintings that show the breathtaking range of style and subject that makes the Taoist heritage so rich. Sculpture, calligraphy, rare books, textiles and ritual objects are also represented. 415 pp., 5 introductory essays by leading scholars in the field, 151 objects described in detail and illustrated in colour. A pristine copy, virtually new condition. . First Edition. Softbound. Fine. 31 x 25 cm..

Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 2000. This volume brings together a remarkable collection of art from one of China's most ancient and influential traditions. Produced to accompany the first major exhibition ever organized on the Taoist philosophy and religion, this opulent book includes more than 150 works of art from as early as the late Zhou Dynasty (5th to 3rd century BCE) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Many of these works are paintings that show the breathtaking range of style and subject that makes the Taoist heritage so rich. Sculpture, calligraphy, rare books, textiles and ritual objects are also represented. 415 pp., 5 introductory essays by leading scholars in the field, 151 objects described in detail and illustrated in colour. A pristine copy, virtually new condition. . First Edition. Hardbound. Fine/Fine. 31 x 25 cm..

Macao: Cultural and Recreational Services, 2005. Catalogue of the 2,000 year tradition of craftsmanship associated with the consumption of tea in China, including ewers and teapots, tea cups and caddies dating from the Han Dynasty to the late Qing. Utensils illustrated and described were fabricated of pottery, stoneware, porcelain, iron, bronze, silver and gold. Includes informative essay on the "Evolution of Tea Wares based Upon Tea Drinking Customs Practiced in the Past Dynasties of China" by Liu Xinxin. 120 pp., 60 colour plates, all text in trilingual English, Portuguese and Chinese. Limited to 500 copies.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New. 30 x 24 cm.

Beijing: Wenwu Publishing House, 1997. A magnificently illustrated treatise on the mostly Buddhist ancient murals in China's Shanxi Province. Also includes some Daoist and secular images; all date between the Tang and Qing Dynasties. Perhaps due to the remoteness of many of the sites recorded, all murals featured appear to have been preserved in remarkably fine original condition. Total of 51 halls within 31 temple complexes are illustrated and described. List of contents and image captions in English and Chinese; remaining text in Chinese. 350 pp., 374 col. plates, 1 map. HB in slipcase; slight foxing on a few pages; otherwise a very fresh and clean copy. (*** PLEASE NOTE - THIS ITEM IS HEAVY AND WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POSTAGE ***). First Edition. Hard bound with slipcase. Very Good/n/a. 36 x 27 cm..

Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1991. This volume covers all the main Hindu and Buddhist movements in Central and East Java constructed between the seventh and fifteenth centuries. A major contribution, incorporating the most recent archaeological discoveries about the most significant monuments which are readily accessible in Southeast Asia. Interior pages lightly tanned, otherwise completely clean and unmarked. viii, 101 pp., 12 col. and 22 b&w plates, 21 plans and line drawings.. First Edition. Softbound. Very Good. 19 x 13 cm..

Rutland / Tokyo: Tuttle, 1995. Kyoto has long been recognized as the home of some of the oldest and most beautiful of Japan's thousands of temples. Beginning with an overview history of Buddhism in Japan, the author surveys 21 ancient Buddhist temples in and around Kyoto, including both the universally known, such as the Kinkaku-ji, Byodo-in and Byodo-in, as well many lesser known gems. For each, he provides a brief history, which manages to be both anecdotal and scholarly, accompanied by Georges' magnificent photography. A book to be savoured. 152 pp., 55 colour photos, bibliography. First Edition. Hard bound. Very Good/Very Good. Illus. by Alexandre Georges, photographer. 26 x 19 cm.

Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1956. The author, a French archaeologist and art historian with the EFEO, was responsible for the restoration of the great complex of Angkor Wat. In this volume he examines 24 exceptional Khmer stone sculptures in the Phnom Penh Museum, both as artistic masterpieces of great vitality and originality, and also as evidence of the evolution of the genre from the 6th to the 15th century. Text in French. Wrappers protected in slightly scuffed plastic cover, lower edge of last few paged a little wrinkled due to humidity; overall a very good, clean copy. vi, 119 pp., 26 b&w plates.. First Edition. Softbound. Very Good. 19 x 14 cm..

Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House, 1987. A photographic exploration of one of the most famous ancient sites of China; the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang Ti in Xian, Shaanxi Province. Images include panoramic views of the site, close-up shots of the warrior sculptures, each with their unique expressions, and concluding with a section on bronze artifacts and rubbings of inscriptions found at the site. 20 pp. introductory text in English, 98 pp. col. photos and 24 pp. b&w images. . Softbound. Near fine. 26 x 19 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1994. This bibliography provides the first in-depth compilation of the literature in this field. The material covered ranges from academic theses to articles in fashion magazines and newspapers. It provides a guide to this complex literature for the specialist and librarian as well as for those with a more casual interest. The weavers of Southeast Asia have produced an amazing array of textiles that has attracted the attention of travel writers, fashion designers, scholars, and collectors the world over. Public interest in the textiles of this region has grown considerably in recent years and, along with it, writing and exhibitions devoted to Southeast Asian textiles have appeared in unprecedented numbers. A survey of museum collections of Southeast Asian textiles from around the world completes the book. 212 pp., 24 pp. colour illustr.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 30 x 21 cm..