Publisher's Synopsis
For more than 3000 years, Chinese life - from the city and the imperial palace, to the temple, the market and the family home - was configured around the courtyard. So too were the accomplishments of China's artistic, philosophical and institutional classes. 'Confucius' Courtyard' tells the story of how the courtyard - that most singular and persistent architectural form - holds the key to understanding, even today, much of Chinese society and culture.