female intellectuals in ancient China

[reitia]

Dear friends,

 

I'm very eager to learn more about the cultural role of women in ancient China. Could talented girls receive a formal education, as boys did? Were females encouraged to participate in the artistic and literary life of ancient China? Of course there were always numerous female musicians of great ability in China; but what about song and concert composers? Poetesses there certainly were, and possibly female novellists, but I know hardly anything about woman authors in ancient China. Please send me info about the principal female intellectuals. Thank you.

[mouse]

I'd like to help, but this topic is just too broad. Let's just say that over 2000+ years in China, the role(s) of women in education, music, poetry, fiction and intellectual trends... varied.

[reitia]

Yes, of course, mouse. But my research is limited to the ancient and classical periods, before the Mongolian era. I'm especially interested in the Tang Dynasty. What can you tell me about women's intellectual contributions in that period?

[Shelley]

Have you read this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_dynasty

 

There is a wealth of information and links to more info.

 

I am beginning to become intrigue with your tang dynasty fascination.

 

Would you mind sharing why you are so interested?

[iand]

Did formal schooling exist at all? I don't have any real knowledge of Chinese history, but I thought people would hire tutors, there weren't any formal schools that people would attend.

[Shelley]

Not sure why a polite inquiry in to the reason someone is interested in something gets a down vote. It was a genuine question about why the OP liked the Tang dynasty so much.

 

Oh well life goes on.

 

Edit: thanks to whoever reversed my downvote

[Angelina]

Not quite what you are looking for (actually, not what you are looking for, period), but you can try The Divine Woman: Dragon Ladies and Rain Maidens in T’ang Literature.

http://www.floatingworldeditions.com/books/divine-woman.html

At least you will have a better understanding of how women were seen at that time.