Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. List of Figures ix
4. Acknowledgments xi
5. Chinese Dynasties xiii
6. Japanese Periods Involved in the Japanese Shih-shuo Imitations xv
7. Introduction 1
8. Part 1. From Character Appraisal to Character Writing: The Formation of the Shih-shuo Genre
9. Chapter 1. Character Appraisal: The Foundation of the Shih-shuo t’i 17
10. Chapter 2. Character Appraisal and the Formation of Wei-Chin Spirit 43
11. Chapter 3. Shih-shuo t’i: A Sui Generis Genre 84
12. Part 2. The Narrative Art of the Shih-shuo hsin-yü
13. Chapter 4. Between Order and Disorder: The Shih-shuo Taxonomy of Human Nature 101
14. Chapter 5. Using Body to Depict Spirit: The Shih-shuo Characterization of “Persons” 151
15. Part 3. Discontinuity along the Line of Continuity: Imitations of the Shih-shuo hsin-yü
16. Chapter 6. Body and Heart: T’ang and Sung Imitations 193
17. Chapter 7. Things and Intent: Ming and Ch’ing Imitations 247
18. Chapter 8. Milk and Scent: Women Shih-shuo 283
19. Chapter 9. An Alien Analogue: The Japanese Imitation Daitō seigo 319
20. Chapter 10. New and Old: The Last Wave of Shih-shuo Imitations 339
21. Conclusion: The Self and the Mirror 368
22. Notes 381
23. Glossary 459
24. Selected Bibliography 475
25. Index 505