5.+Tang+Dynasty+culture

​ = TANG DYNASTY GOVERNMENT = The government of the Tang dynasty was influenced by the government of the Han dynasty. It was a traditional central bureaucracy that was “left” by the Han. However, in contrast to the Han government, the Tang did not enforce the semi-independent kingdoms to imperial princes. The Tang government tried to take an accurate census in order to effectively tax people. A small tax was added to both grain and cloth. A remarkable point about the Tang’s government is that it’s civil service examination was advanced that it’s essential form was used in the twentieth century.

= = = TANG DYNASTY DEVELOPMENTS: = Many developments were made on woodblock printing during the Tang Dynasty. According to documents, the original woodblock printing book was //Nv Ze//, a book containing a record of women in the palace during the Tang Dynasty. Although the book has not been found, there are ancient documents claiming its existence. The oldest existing document made from woodblock printing is the //Diamond Sutra,// a book that dates 868 AD. Most of the books made using woodblock printing during the Tang Dynasty depicted religious themes and ideas. The religious works would often contain text as well as religious pictures and symbols. The developments on woodblock printing were very important during and after the Tang Dynasty; however there were many other important inventions during the time period. Many important Chinese inventions were made and developed during the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty gunpowder was developed as a source of entertainment. The people of the Tang Dynasty used gunpowder to create beautiful fireworks for important festivals. Gunpowder was not used for violent purposes during this period. The Tang Dynasty also marks the development of tea drinking. Many of the developments in tea drinking were due to the development of a feudal economy. Tea drinking also became a regularized practice in the imperial court. During the Tang Dynasty scroll painting reached a peak point. Scroll painting was highly popular during this period because it was easy to carry around and it was enjoyable. The paintings during this period often depicted cattle and horses. The Three Doctrines, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism were also established during the Tang Dynasty. The Three Doctrines declared that men must honor his ancestors following the strict rules of Confucianism, must attend a Buddhist pageant, and must practice Taoist breathing exercise everyday. The Tang Dynasty was a period of great and important inventions. TOP: gun powder, BOTTOM: woodblock

TOP: Fireworks,BOTTOM: Tea!
= ​ = = TANG DYNASTY CONFLICT: =

The armies of the Tang Dynasty helped to make it the greatest power in Asia. The armies of the Tang Dynasty were made up of both aristocrats and peasants. The aristocrats were used in the north to fight of nomads; they were used because they were the only people during that time that had horse and were strong cavalrymen. Due to their importance, the number or horse increased over the period of the dynasty until there were 700,000 horses on hand. Using horses was the only way to fight off intruding nomads. The peasants were but to use in the south to occupy the forts, do public work, and severe as the infantry. With growing strength, the Tang wished to spread out their borders and eliminate threats in their territories. The Tang’s borders eventually extended all the way from current day Iran to include nearly all of current day Korea. The Tang were the strongest power in Asia. = TANG DYNASTY ECONOMY = After the Sui Dynasty collapsed, Emperor Kao Tsu devoted a lot of time and effort into programs that helped develop the agriculture of the dynasty. This made the lives of peasants easier, helped to develop tools, and developed irrigation systems. This led to the overall unity of the Tang dynasty. After the increased efficiency of agricultural technology, there was an excess of labour that flocked to trades involving technique. Because of this boom, trade techniques were further advanced. This large increase in labour and technology made small businesses and foreign trade prosperous. Trade became a large factor in the economy in the Tang dynasty, with commodities such as medicine, tea, textiles, salt, and spirits. As each of these factors were set in place, the Tang economy began to thrive.

= TANG DYNASTY RELIGION = During the early Tang dynasty, the leaders were quite tolerant of different religions. There were two primary religions, Buddhism and Taoism. During this time, a Buddhist monk went to India to find the Buddhist Sutra. After this journey, he gained 657 sutras. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built specifically for the preservation of these sutras. Over time, Buddhism was developed, and Christianity and Islam spread to China. Eventually, though, a reinforcement of constraint was inflicted on Buddhism. This caused several sects of Buddhism other than Zen and a few others to disappear.

= = = TANG DYNASTY ARCHITECTURE: = Tang architecture is so unique because of the environment in which it developed. The general success and prosperity of the Tang dynasty meant that buildings were built for beauty, and not just necessity. The spread of Buddhism lead to the construction of many elaborate temples across China, several of which still exist today. In fact, the architectural appeal of the temples is considered by some historians to be partially responsible for the popularity of Buddhism during the long reign of the Tang dynasty. Windows were all common in Tang architecture, because construction had become so advanced. The technology for building now allowed not only for more difficult structures, like pagodas, but also for the addition of glazed tiles and other embellishments. Wood remained a constant feature in Tang buildings, as it had for hundreds of years in China, but brick also became a commonly used building material. Tang buildings can be identified today across China by this unique blending of brick, timber, tiles and intricate stone work. The architecture developed during this time is in fact a good representation of the atmosphere and influence of the Tang Dynasty throughout China.

ABOVE: Tang Dynasty building =TANG DYNASTY ART:= The Tang Dynasty was an era which art flourished. Painting, pottery, sculpture, calligraphy, music, dance, and literature was all developed.

TANG DYNASTY MUSIC AND DANCE: [] []