Robert H van Gulik Books

The lute, or guqin, has been cherished in China for over 2,500 years, particularly among the literati, including Confucius. This monograph explores its rich cultural significance, highlighting its role in solo and orchestral music, as well as its symbolic meanings tied to meditation and intellectual growth. The author, an esteemed Sinologue and linguist trained by a renowned lute master, provides the first comprehensive overview of the instrument's impact on Chinese culture in English, bridging a gap in existing literature.

Robert van Gulik is known for his famous detective stories set in medieval China featuring Judge Ti. However, he was also a significant orientalist and diplomat. In "Sexual Life in Ancient China," van Gulik explores the Chinese attitude toward sexuality from the earliest records up to 1644, the year the last ethnically Chinese Ming dynasty fell. This engaging and readable work provides insights into the cultural, social, and historical contexts of sexual practices and beliefs in ancient China, reflecting the complexities of human relationships and societal norms throughout the centuries.