Edited by Gianni Guadalupi. Texts by T. Chou-Tzé, Pierre Loti, Jean-François Laharpe
1993 / 216 PAGES.
Language: Italian
The mysterious Capital of the Celestial Empire: gruelling court rituals, palace intrigues and the incursions of the White Barbarians in the China belonging to the last of the Manchus.
Missionary Chou-Tzé describes his journey among the mysteries of the Forbidden City – that is, the residence of the Emperor and his court. A sizeable court, as it numbered up to ten thousand members between eunuchs, concubines and handmaids. The Forbidden City was built in the heart of ancient Beijing. It is a city within a city, built following the designs of the third Ming emperor and the principles of geomancy and the traditional wind and water doctrine.