The confusions of pleasure : commerce and culture in Ming China / Timothy Brook.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-311) and index.
"First paperback printing 1999"
See Contributor biographical information.

The Ming dynasty was the last great Chinese dynasty before the Manchu conquest in 1644. During that time, China, not Europe, was the center of the world: the European voyages of exploration were searching not just for new lands but also for new trade routes to the Far East. In this book, Timothy Brook eloquently narrates the changing landscape of life over the three centuries of the Ming (1368-1644), when China was transformed from a closely administered agrarian realm into a place of commercial profits and intense competition for status.

The Confusions of Pleasure marks a significant departure from the conventional ways in which Chinese history has been written. Rather than recounting the Ming dynasty in a series of political events and philosophical achievements, it narrates this longue duree in terms of the habits and strains of everyday life. Peppered with stories of real people and their negotiations of a rapidly changing world, this book provides a new way of seeing the Ming dynasty that not only contributes to the scholarly understanding of the period but also provides an entertaining and accessible introduction to Chinese history for anyone. --Publisher description.

Local access dig.pdf. [Brooks-Confusions of pleasure.pdf]

Physical books: copy 1 Stacks, copy 2 ASCC

"...a maritime geography of south Asia...deals with the history, topography, products, and trade of the lands of southeast Asia, including the Philippines, the Moluccas, Brunei (on the north coast of Borneo), ...Indo-China, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, southwest caost of Borneo, a total of thirty-eight countries; discusses China's relations with Japan and the Dutch 紅毛番 ... revenue, navigation (with compass directions and distances and rhymed rules for weather prediction), and to a certain eunuch revenue collector Gao Cai, who exacted tribute from merchants...until his recall to Peking in 1615....documents and official communications between the Chinese court and various countries including Japan" -- Cf. Dictionary of Ming Biography, pp.77-78.
See also: Wilkinson, Chinese history, a manual, p. 747 ; Franke, An introduction to the sources of Ming history, 7.7.4 (p.221-222).

".... a maritime geography of south Asia....deals with the history, topography, products, and trade of the lands of southeast Asia, including the Philippines, the Moluccas, Brunei (on the north coast of Borneo), ...Indo-China, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, southwest caost of Borneo, a total of thirty-eight countries; discusses China's relations with Japan and the Dutch 紅毛番 ... revenue, navigation (with compass directions and distances and rhymed rules for weather prediction), and to a certain eunuch revenue collector Gao Cai, who exacted tribute from merchants....until his recall to Peking in 1615....documents and official communications between the Chinese court and various countries including Japan" -- Cf. Dictionary of Ming Biography, pp.77-78.

See also: Wilkinson, Chinese history, a manual, p. 747 ; Franke, An introduction to the sources of Ming history, 7.7.4 (p.221-222).

".... a maritime geography of south Asia....deals with the history, topography, products, and trade of the lands of southeast Asia, including the Philippines, the Moluccas, Brunei (on the north coast of Borneo), ...Indo-China, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, southwest caost of Borneo, a total of thirty-eight countries; discusses China's relations with Japan and the Dutch 紅毛番 ... revenue, navigation (with compass directions and distances and rhymed rules for weather prediction), and to a certain eunuch revenue collector Gao Cai, who exacted tribute from merchants....until his recall to Peking in 1615....documents and official communications between the Chinese court and various countries including Japan" -- Cf. Dictionary of Ming Biography, pp.77-78.

See also: Wilkinson, Chinese history, a manual, p. 747 ; Franke, An introduction to the sources of Ming history, 7.7.4 (p.221-222).

Abstract
This article examines the consequences of the Ming maritime expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He (1371–1433) in the early fifteenth century on Indian Ocean diplomacy, trade, and cross-cultural interactions. The presence of the powerful Ming navy not only introduced an unprecedented militaristic aspect to the Indian Ocean region, but also led to the emergence of state-directed commercial activity in the maritime world that extended from Ming China to the Swahili coast of Africa. Additionally, these expeditions stimulated the movement of people and animals across the oceanic space and might eventually have facilitated the rapid entry of European commercial enterprises into the Indian Ocean region during the second half of the fifteenth century.

Keywords: Indian Ocean, Zheng He, Ming Dynasty, Cross-cultural interactions, Chinese navy, Circulations of animals

Added keywords: Indian Ocean, Chinese navy, naval affairs and military actions, African contacts, giraffes and exotic animals, tribute states, Ming exploration.
Local access dig.pdf [Sen-Zheng He.pdf]

The first part of this article investigates the private traders along the Zhejiang coast and the Portuguese settlements in Ningbo. 1. The private traders in Ningbo and the arrival of the foreign merchants. Before Teng Lao escaped from prison and went down to the coast in the 5th year of Jiajing, Lu Huangszu was already in Shuang-yu-kang, therefore I presume that after the expulsion from Tamao, the Portuguese went to Ningbo. Since the early private traders like Chin Tzu-lao and Li Kuangt'ou were Fujianese, those who guided the Portuguese to Ningbo were probably also Fujianese. 2. The private trader in Shuang-yu-kang and the Hsu brothers. In the 19th year of Jiajing, Xu Er and others persueded the Fo Lang Chi (Portuguese) to come to the Zhejiang coast for trade. Here we make an account about the general condition of the trade and clear up the history of Hsu brothers beginning from their stay in Shuang-yu-kang till the arise of the disturbance. 3. The rage of the private traders and its origin. In the 24-25th year of Jiajing, the Xu brothers became bankrupt and ran away from their former place and invaded Zhejiang and Fujian, then from private traders they gradually became pirates. The historical sweep of Shuang-yu-kang. From Chu Wan's account of his military success we may trace the development and the consequence of his attack on the pirates' den in the 27th year of Jiajing. 5. The so-called Liampoo settlements as narrated by F. Mendes Pinto. In accord with the geographical and historical facts we review the account of Peregrenacao and we conclude that the settlement was Shuang-yu-kang and Liampoo city was Kuo-chu. 6. The situation of the Portuguese settlements. The account of Mendez Pinto concerning the housing, population, institution, organization and economic situation confirmed the account of Chu Wan. 7. The destruction of the Portuguese settlements.

Includes bibliographical references.

"Activities of Wang Zhi (王直) in the Sino-Japanese private market. 1. Wang Chih before the arrival in Japan. From the Jipen ichen and other sources it can be presumed that Wang was an educated man, and that during his youth he struggled against poverty, and later he went to the sea coast. 2. How Wang induced the Japanese traders to go to China. In 1545, when the Japanese delegate Juko was going back to Japan, Wang accompanied him and tried to induce Japanese traders to go to the Zhejiang coast. Probably during this trip he reached Goto and from there sailed back to Lequios. The story of “Wu Feng” (五峰) found in the Teppo Ki might be a development of this trip. 3. Wang's activities prior to his becoming a ruler. In 1547 Wang established his headquarters in Goto, and travelled between Ningbo and Goto, developing trade. He soon became a big ship-owner. In 1549 he took up arms and defeated the local pirates. Therefore he was permitted to continue his private trade. Later he was stationed at Li Kang, and in 1551 defeated the Ch'en Szu-p'an pirate, and became a sea coast ruler. 4. The frame of Li-Kang and its destruction. In Li Kang, Wang made himself the King of Ching Hai. The people and traders recognized him and obeyed him. Later, a Wang Shu became the Provincial Commander-in-chief and expelled Wang Zhi, who fled to Hirado, Japan, in 1553. 5. Wang's life and business in Japan. Wang settled his men in Goto, but he himself stayed in Hirado and made himself the King of Huei (徽王) dominating the private traders. 6. The Great Japanese pirates and the death of Wang Zhi. Although Wang was an ambitious trader, he constantly opposed the pirates. No record is found which might indicate his conspiracy with the Japanese pirates. Therefore, when Chao Wenhua and Hu Tsung-hsien the sent Chinese delegates to Japan calling Wang back, Wang conceded without any hesitation. But because of misunderstandings, Wang was accused of being a pirate and was beheaded...." --OCLC record.

Ming-Qing luncong : di yi ji 明清論叢 : 第一輯 = A collection of essays on the Ming and Qing dynasties / Zhu Chengru 朱誠如 and Wang Tianyou 王天有, eds.

The Selden map of China :  a new understanding of the Ming dynasty / Hongping Annie Nie.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 66-69) and index.

A discovery in the library -- A cartographic work of art -- The history of the Selden map -- Ming dynasty maritime trade -- A new understanding of the Ming dynasty.

Dating from the seventeenth century at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the Selden Map of China reveals a country very different from popular conceptions of the time, looking not inward to the Asian landmass but outward to the sea. Discovered in the stacks of the Bodleian Library, this beautifully decorative map of China is in fact a seafaring chart showing Ming Dynasty trade routes. It is the earliest surviving example of Chinese merchant cartography and is evidence that Ming China was outward-looking, capitalistic and vibrant. Exploring the commercial aims of the Ming Dynasty, the port city of Quanzhou and its connections with the voyages of the early traveller Zheng He, this book describes the historical background of the era in which the map was used. It also includes an analysis of the skills and techniques involved in Chinese map-making and the significance of the compass bearings, scale and ratios found on the map, all of which combine to represent a breakthrough in cartographic techniques. The enthralling story revealed by this extraordinary artefact is central to an understanding of the long history of China's relationship with the sea and with the wider world.

Yesuhuishi yu wan Ming haishang maoyi 耶穌會士與晚明海上貿易 / Qi Yinping 戚印平.
Title also in English: Jesuits maritime trade; the Jesuits and maritime trade in the late Ming dynasty.
Includes bibliographical references.

"在大航海時代,一體化的世界進程早已超越傳統的國家範疇,錯綜複雜的國際形勢亦不再限於僵硬的雙邊關係,例如傳統的中日關係史或者中葡關係史.本書通過對大量宗教文獻的分析與解讀,力圖多角度地揭示16世紀以降耶穌會士在中國及鄰近地區的傳教活動,並全面揭示其在晚明時期海上貿易活動中所起的作用."--publisher note.

前言

蘇軾《題西林壁》詩曰：“橫看成嶺側成峰，遠近高低各不同；不識廬山真面目，只緣身在此山中。”蘇詩寫廬山層巒疊嶂，氣象萬千，乃千古名句，但以史家角度看，此詩或別有玄機：即便再熟悉的對象，換個角度，亦往往有意想不到的面貌出現。
西人鐘鳴旦（Standaert, Nicolas）在談到近幾十年來中國基督宗教研究的巨大變化時，提到了研究範式的轉變，即“從一種基本是傳教學和歐洲中心的立場，轉變為一種漢學和中國中心的路數”。又曰：“這種範式轉變最典型的表現，是將中國文獻作為基本材料，將中國人物作為基本研究對象。”作為一個歐洲學者，鍾氏此言或許代表著西方漢學界研究方式與心態的變化，反觀中國學術界，一種或可稱之為“中國中心論”的研究範式卻似乎從來就是正統。很多年來，利瑪竇、艾儒略等少數重點人物和“禮儀之爭”、“知識傳教”和南京教案等相關問題，也始終是人們熱情關注的焦點。
然而，正如“橫看成嶺側成峰”，“中國中心論”亦可能導致相對封閉的視域局限，如果將研究對象的邊界限定於發生在國境線之內的人和事，就不免使相關研究落入中國教會史或中外關係史的有限範疇。

近年來，不斷有學者呼籲“從世界史的角度看中國”，反過來，此言亦可提示“從中國史的角度看世界”的新視角，由此看來，變換研究範式應當是合乎邏輯的自然選擇。新的（或可稱之為大宗教或大歷史的）研究範式既需要我們從內部（中國）的角度考察世界，關注世界格局新變化帶給中國的深刻影響，同時又要求我們從外部（世界）的角度反觀中國，從各個方面考察中國在世界格局新變化中的地位和作用。
很明顯，研究範式的再次轉變不僅會使我們的視角擴展到更為廣闊（尤其是東亞區域性的地理與文化範疇）而多樣（至少包括交通史、貿易史、移民史）的領域，而且還要求我們考察相關各方的自身變化（即同時期歐洲教會及相關國家的情況，包括同時期的文化復興、宗教改革等）及其錯綜複雜的交叉作用。
從大宗教或大歷史的角度看，16世紀以降耶穌會士在中國及鄰近地區的傳教活動並非單獨的個別現象，而是天主教在亞洲乃至全球範圍內廣泛傳播的重要組成部分；宗教傳播及由此發生的文化矛盾與政治衝突普遍發生在中國以及鄰近的東亞地區，相同或相似的政治形態（封建王權）與文化傳統（儒學與佛教）迫使傳教士不得不面對大同小異的社會處境與文化挑戰；東亞各國間的傳統關係以及密切交往又規定了矛盾衝突的相互影響與連鎖反應。事實表明，宗教傳播與地理大發現後西方列強的殖民擴張、大國勢力範圍競爭、世界市場的形成與發展交織在一起，相互影響，相互作用。在中國晚明即大航海時代之後，世界進入了中國，而中國也融入了世界，全球一體化進程由此展開。

世界上從未有過純粹的宗教，所以也不會有純粹的宗教傳播；同理，任何商品交易的發生和影響都不會限於商品交易本身，因此相關的學術考察也不應自囿於經濟的有限範疇。至少在我們所說的大航海時代，一體化的世界進程早已超越傳統的國家範疇，錯綜複雜的國際形勢亦不再限於僵硬的雙邊關係，例如傳統的中日關係史或者中葡關係史。因此，儘管多視角的 “橫看”或“側觀”未必能獲得一窺“廬山真面目”的理想效果，但至少可以獲得更多問題，並推動研究的不斷深入。
收入本書的幾篇文章，大多基於這一考慮。由於是單獨成篇的個案研究，疏漏之處，在所難免；又因先行發表的實際需要，史料運用及觀點陳述上不免稍有重合。此番集輯成冊，已有所訂正，但限於各種因素，亦不能盡如人意。在此還望方家賜教，以便今後稍有寸進。

Zhenlu lanlü 針路藍縷 = Mapping Ming China's maritime world / Xianggang haishi bowuguan 香港海事博物館.
Mingdai haiyang maoyi, hanghaishu he shuixia kaogu yanjiu xin jinzhan guoji huiyi 明代海洋貿易、航海術和水下考古研究新進展國際會議 (2014 : Hong Kong)
Catalog of an exhibition held at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, March 21 to June 23, 2014.
Proceedings of the Symposium, held 7 to 8 June, 2014 in Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
"These two volumes result from a special exhibition and a symposium organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) in 2014 ... Volume I is primarily a catalogue of the exhibition , and volume II contains the proceedings of the nineteen papers presented at the symposium"--Introduction of [volume I].
The accompanying map is the reproduction of the earliest known hand-colored chart in ancient China [i.e. the Selden Map]. It was drawn circa 1620.
Includes bibliographical references.

Subtitle of volume 1: Niujin daxue zhencang Mingdai haitu ji waixiao ci 牛津大學珍藏明代海圖及外銷瓷.
Title of volume 1 also in English: Mapping Ming China's maritime world : the Selden map and other treasures from the University of Oxford.

Title of volume 2: Mingdai haiyang maoyi, hanghaishu he shuixia kaogu yanjiu xin jinzhan : Xianggang haishi bowuguan guoji huiyi lunwenji 明代海洋貿易、航海術和水下考古研究新進展 : 香港海事博物館國際會議論文集 = New research into the maritime trades, seafaring and underwater archaeology of the Ming dynasty : Hong Kong Maritime Museum international symposium proceedings.

"針路藍縷"套書包括兩冊書和一張按"明代東西洋航海圖"原圖印製的大地圖,乃2014年香港海事博物館舉辦特別展覽及學術會議的成果之作.2014年3月21日至6月23日期間,香港海事博物館與英國牛津大學的博德利圖書館和阿什莫爾博物館合作,舉辦"針路藍縷:牛津大學珍藏明代海圖及外銷瓷"特展.同年6月7日至8日於博物館舉行"明代海洋貿易,航海術和水下考古研究新進展"國際學術會議.本套書一冊是展覽圖錄,一冊是學術會議中發表的十九篇論文彙编.圖錄和國際學術研討會以一幅被遺忘近350年的中國航海圖--"明代東西洋航海圖"為主線,為讀者講述明代中國的航海故事.