Jottings from the Granite Studio

A Qing historian reads the newspaper…

Jottings from the Granite Studio header image 4

Entries from September 2006

Kwang-Ching (K.C.) Liu, 1921-2006

September 29th, 2006 · 2 Comments

The field of Chinese history is twice saddened this month; another great has gone from us. K.C. Liu, distinguished professor of Qing history, passed away at his home in Davis, CA yesterday. I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Liu and his wife several times. When I first started here, I would often be out […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday, Confucius

September 28th, 2006 · 1 Comment

According to tradition (and the tourist office in Qufu, Shandong) today is Confucius’ 2557th birthday. The big guy has taken a few knocks in the last 150 years or so, but his staying power is just impressive. Just this past month, Confucius has been a symbol of cross-straits unity, a means of promoting a harmonious […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Chinese History · Chinese politics

The Hutong Shuffle: Apartment hunting in Beijing

September 27th, 2006 · 6 Comments

There is a funny post over at Danwei (thanks to TPD for the link) on the perils of apartment hunting in the capital city that made me nostalgic for my past real estate exploits and a bit nervous of future ones. The last time I went apartment shopping in Beijing was in the summer of […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Life in China

China in the NFL: Walter "The Sneeze" Achiu

September 26th, 2006 · No Comments

It’s fair to say that when the Pats play the Seahawks next year in Beijing, there won’t be any Chinese playing on either side. Korea has claimed (finally accepted?) Hines Ward but so far no NFL equivalent of Yao Ming, Sun Jihai, or even a Wang Chien-ming has emerged on the gridiron. But that […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Chinese History · sports

NFL in Beijing: China tailgate

September 25th, 2006 · 6 Comments

Confirmation this week that the New England Patriots (English–Chinese) will play the Seattle Seahawks on August 8, 2007 at Workers Stadium in Beijing.
Also beginning today, the NFL will broadcast the Sunday Night Football game live on CCTV (showing at the oh, so convenient time of 8:30 am on Monday mornings).
Plans are being made. I’m from […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Life in China · sports

A Historian’s review of Jet Li’s Fearless: Who was the real Huo Yuanjia 霍元甲?

September 24th, 2006 · 4 Comments

(From the archives: with the release of Fearless (霍元甲) in the USA and Europe this week, here again is my take on Jet Li’s final martial arts.)Original post: 8/31/06I just finished the movie Fearless (霍元甲) Jet Li’s self-proclaimed final wushu film. The movie itself is not bad (Not that I’m much of a movie […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Chinese History

Saturday Tea: Fukuyama and the New, New, End of History…NYT: Class without the struggle…Thai Coup as tourist attraction

September 23rd, 2006 · 2 Comments

Some quick thoughts as I fly from New England to California this morning.
In the Times Literary Supplement is a fascinating review of Francis Fukuyama’s new book After the Neocons. (”Doomed International” TLS 09/20/06, thanks to Arts and Culture Daily for the link) Whether you love him, loathe him, used to loathe him and now […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

Frederic Wakeman, Jr., 1937-2006

September 22nd, 2006 · 2 Comments

Sad news in the field of Chinese history, one of the true giants has passed on. Fred Wakeman was one of the most influential and important American scholars of Chinese history. His first work, Strangers at the Gate, about the links between resistance against foreign threats and rebellion against the government in the wake of […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized

CDT: My Big Fat Chinese Wedding

September 22nd, 2006 · 5 Comments

As YJ and I try to plan our own wedding for next year, we of course go through all the usual discussion and debates about what kind of wedding to have. We both want it to be small and tasteful, with close family and friends brought together to celebrate our new life together. Of course […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Life in China

The Economist: Veritas Airlines

September 21st, 2006 · 2 Comments

Having just spent the last 18 hours in transit, I’ve been thinking a little about airplanes and airplane safety. Two weeks ago The Economist had a screaming leader on the issue of airplane safety. Here then, from The Economist, is the in-flight announcement on the (fictional) Veritas Airlines:

“GOOD morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are […]

[Read more →]

Tags: Uncategorized