Consumption and production of Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis in Qing dynasty

• Main Authors: CHANG,CHU-HUI, 張竹慧
• Other Authors: CHEN,HSI-YUAN
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/63106940009931105376

碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 歷史學系 === 103 === The article is about consumption and production of Aquilaria sinensis(a kind of incense wood) in Guangdong during Qing dynasty. Focusing on the influence of Aquilaria sinensis to the upper and lower class of Guangdong customers in modern period, it discusses the impact of commoditization upon the patterns of consumption in Qing and the decline of the industry in early Republic. The article is divided into six chapters. Chapter one is an introduction, a review of academic researches on fragrance and Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis. Chapter two focuses on the production and transportation of Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis. The implementation of Seclusion Policy helped thrive the market of Guangdong Aquilaria sinesis, which in turn prospered female labor force in the agriculture and processing industry of Guandong Aquilaria sinesis. The improvement of transportation also expanded the market further. Chapter three discusses consumption of the upper class in Qing dynasty. Social crisis and problems of the tributary system arose as a result of regular supply of Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis or fragrance to the court as tribute, which became handicrafts and sacrifices for God in Qing palace. Chapter four illustrates that “Nu-erh-hsiang”(女兒香) was formed in popular consumer culture, and how popular consumer culture influenced Chinese intellectuals’ impression on Guangdong Aquilaria sinesis which is reflected in the language to describe scent and favor it associated with. In addition, Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis became important product for worship in Guangdong traditional festivals and rituals. Chapter five discusses the decline of Guangdong Aquilaria sinensis in early Republic. Because perfume was becoming cheap and popular, burning incense wood in stove was no longer a necessity for body fragrance and social event. Utilization of incense wood became limited as fragrance merchants emphasized more on its medical and religious usage. Thereafter, fragrance merchant didn’t emphasize scent, but focused on officinal effect and religion instead that limited incense wood to particular use.