The Composition,Distribution,and Historical Origins of Customs Entries in Ming and Qing Local Chronicles:A Focus on Zhejiang Chronicles
Customs are an important component of local chronicles,and the customs entries is one of the main categories within these chronicles.The customs entries in Ming and Qing local chronicles primarily consists of"Habits and Practices,""Four Rites,"and"Seasonal Festivals.""Habits and Practices"record local customs and behavioral norms;"Four Rites"document life rituals such as initiation,marriage,funerals,and sacrifices;and"Seasonal Festivals"capture time-related celebrations and activities.The content related to customs is mainly distributed across geographical records,local gazetteer records,and the customs section,with a few entries found in annals and records of rituals.The categorization of customs content into different sections reflects the richness of customs'connotations and the diverse understanding of customs by the compilers.The three categories—"Habits and Practices,""Four Rituals,"and"Seasonal Festivals"—entered local chronicles at different times and through various pathways."Habits and Practices"were integrated into local chronicles as early as the Song and Yuan Dynasties.The"Four Rites"were included in local chronicles no later than the early Ming Dynasty,with the"Family Rites"during the Yongle period elevated to a national ceremonial standard and widely implemented at the local level,serving as the practical foundation for the writing of the"Four Rites"in local chronicles."Seasonal Festivals"became commonly included in local chronicles during the Ming Dynasty,reflecting a consensus in writing and closely linked to the refinement of the seasonal festival system during that time and its widespread implementation.The documentation and writing of these festivals were also significantly influenced by the development of local chronicle formats and specialized records such as the"Jingchu Seasonal Records."
Local ChroniclesCustoms EntriesHabits and PracticesFour RitualsSeasonal
万方数据
