Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2023626 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-01
• Released on: 2000-02-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 10.26" h x 1.11" w x 10.31" l, 3.75 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

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.

The author, Beverley Jackson
Following the great success of my first book for Ten Speed Press "Splendid Slippers", the publisher asked me to write a book on mandarin rank badges. Having a collection of over 100 badges myself, I have always been fascinated with them. But my interest went beyond the physical badges to wondering about the lives of the men who earned and wore the badges. I decided this must be an important part of my book on badges. It then occured to me that the book would be much more interesting if I divided it into two separate books under one cover, one fictional about the customs and lives of the men who passed the difficult exams that entitled them to wear the badges, and the other book an analysis of the actual badges. After considering all the world's leading authorities on mandarin badges in New York, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Australia and California, I invited David Hugus of California to write the second book on badge analysis.

Obviously my idea for dividing my book into two separate books under one cover worked, because this book was on the short list of ten in October 2000 for the prestigious Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Award. It did not win, but losing to the fine author Michael Ondaatje (author of "The English Patient") for his fascinating "Anil's Ghost" was a great honor in itself.

Well, that's a bit of the history of how this book came to publication. Now you must read it and review it for yourselves.

About the Author
Dr. David Hugus, an Asian textile scholar and collector, lives in Belmont, California.
BEVERLEY JACKSON is an esteemed art and cultural historian who specializes in Chinese art and costume. She tours and lectures on Asian art from her home in Santa Barbara, California.


From the Trade Paperback edition.