Answer to Question #220833 in History for Stef

Question

Describe the accomplishments in the arts, philosophy, and literature during the Ming dynasty.

Answer 1

The Ming Dynasty is remembered for its literature, art, drama, and porcelain. Ming publishers began to publish works of novels along with short stories. The books were available to the high social group. In the arts, the Ming Dynasty saw the use of more colors, the development of new painting skills and techniques, and the advancement of calligraphy within paintings.

In philosophy, Neo-Confucianism dominated life in the early Ming Dynasty but gradually this philosophy changed into more of a combination of Buddhism and Legalism as time went on. Other accomplishments which were done during the Ming Dynasty era include;  Majority of the existing Great Wall of China was built in the Ming era, seven epic voyages were led by the great Chinese admiral Zheng, the Ming period saw great development in printing, the most comprehensive book on traditional Chinese medicine was written. An encyclopedia was commissioned by the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty in 1403. Compiled by thousands of Chinese scholars, it was completed by 1408 and contained a broad range of Chinese knowledge, including astronomy, geography, medicine, religion, technology, and art. After the development of the novel as a literary form during the preceding Yuan dynasty, the most striking literary development during the Ming era was the vernacular novel. Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, was published in the 16th century during the Ming dynasty. The renowned play Peony Pavilion was written by Tang Xianzu of Ming and first performed in 1598.