The History of Chinese Folktales

The History of Chinese Folktales is the first comprehensive study of Chinese folktale history, spanning from the pre-Qin period to the 20th century. It references over 300 ancient texts and reviews more than 300 representative stories. The book highlights three main research areas. First, motifs and types. This involves identifying and categorizing various story motifs and types, as well as analyzing subtypes to create a "genealogy" of folktales, a process that reflects cultural exchanges among peoples. Second, cultural significance. Employing historical materialism and cultural anthropology, the book explores the cultural implications of folktales, linking them to historical and cultural contexts to reveal their essence. Third, historical-geographical comparison. This involves a detailed examination of the "life history" of stories, considering historical and geographical contexts to understand their essence and cultural flow.