A History of Arts and Crafts

Believe it or not, there was actually a time in history called the Arts and Crafts era. This took place towards the end of the 19th century, where it was considered fashionable and trendy to read magazines on craftsmanship. In fact, the people who lived in that era considered mealtime and craftsmanship both very important values.

The Arts and Crafts era emerged from an ongoing battle to counteract the seemingly stifling effects of the Victorian era, which was all about opulence. Soon enough, people began appreciating the idea of bringing nature into one’s home with the use of flower arrangements. The Arts and Crafts era was best characterized by utilitarian furniture, and a soft yet warm lighting cast over the dinner table.

What Does an Arts and Crafts Table Bring to One’s Home?

In three simple words, the arts and crafts dining table brings to light this kind of atmosphere during mealtimes: warm, friendly, and accommodating. Given the description of the arts and crafts dining table, it is clear that this kind of dining table was meant to create an air of acceptance and belongingness, whether this applies to family members or their guests.

A kitchen table is perfect for the homemaker who intends to put a personality in every mealtime. The arts and crafts dining table possesses all the characteristics to create an atmosphere that is both refreshing, yet welcoming. Guests will love dining at this kind of kitchen table as it represents a different mealtime experience than what they are normally used to.

An arts and crafts table is also representative of a time when restrained creativity flourished; a time when simplicity was more trendy than overwhelming décor. This makes this dining room table perfect for those who are looking for understated elegance and personality, and for these admirable characteristics to be present during mealtimes.

How to Look for a Good Arts and Crafts Table

As with any other arts and crafts kitchen table, one must set for himself a list of must-haves when it comes to choosing the perfect arts and crafts dining room table. Furniture shopping entails a universal list of requirements that all shoppers must follow to ensure that they are getting the best deal from their preferred furniture shops and store brands.

As you begin your quest for the perfect arts and crafts dining table, familiarize yourself with all the brands that offer arts and crafts dining room tables, especially if you are a first-time furniture shopper. Get to know the pros and cons of each brand, in terms of pricing, quality, package deals, and customization options. Also, don’t just gather information based on your trips around the shopping centers —learn to ask around. Talk with family members or friends who have had experience in purchasing dining room tables. Newlyweds are particularly great to ask, as they will just have newly-acquired all their furniture for their new home.

Another great source of information on arts and crafts dining room tables is the Internet. Touted “the global marketplace of the twenty-first century”, this is a great place to scout for bargains or new and undiscovered brands that may just offer a better deal in terms of your dining room table requirements. Auction websites such as eBay offer cheaper deals on arts and crafts dining room tables.

However, one must be wary when sourcing products over the Internet as there are many fake and bogus companies trying to rip people off by pretending to sell furniture and dining room tables. The best way to make sure that you are dealing with a legit company is to check for customer referrals and testimonials on the website, as well as give them a phone call to ask for additional information.

Warranty is another important factor to be considered when in search of the perfect arts and crafts dining room table. Never make the mistake of grabbing a cheap deal that doesn’t include a warranty. You may very well discover at the end of the day that you have actually purchased a faulty arts and crafts dining room table, but you will not have the chance to replace it, thanks to your lack of a warranty.

At the end of the day, only you can determine which arts and crafts dining room table is best for your dining area’s needs. Just make sure that above all the additional details, all the universal requirements are in place – quality, price, package deal, warranty, and customization features. That, and, of course, ensuring that your arts and crafts dining table meets the size requirements of your dining area. Your arts and crafts dining room table may be beautiful and stylish, but it will do no good if it can’t even fit into the dining area to do its job.

If you take note of all these guidelines on buying a great arts and crafts dining room table, you can be sure of scoring a deal that is worth every penny.

To see beautiful photos of the furniture mentioned in this article, please see Erik Schimek’s dining room furniture website, which features kitchen tables, dining room tables, wine servers and china cabinets.

Erik Organic is an independently owned family business whose goal is to assist our customers in creating a safe and healthy home. Our organic furniture is created with safe organic fabrics, natural batting, solid wood construction and low VOC wood finishes.

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Leader of the Chinese revolution

Father of the Chinese mainland

The first provisional President

When the Republic of China was founded

Developing a political philosophy

Upon which the government was grounded

The Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood

Sun Yat-sen loved his people

And dared to do good

Because he did deeply care

He sought their betterment and welfare

His legacy still influences China today

The Republic growing stronger economically by day

Sun’s foundation did certainly pave the way.

Sun studied English at the Anglican Diocesan Home

Where he learned a new song

Sun was taught also by the orphanage in Hong Kong

About the struggle of other kids

And the necessity to fight to win.

To apply yourself regardless

With or without the approval of your kin.

In April 1884, Sun was transferred to Queen’s College.

Sun was happily baptized by an American missionary

Wholeheartedly embraced Christ and Christianity,

Which led to the making of this great revolutionary.

Sun pictured a revolution as similar to salvation

The mission and mandate of Jesus Christ

And for China’s salvation he gave his devotion and life.

Sun’s conversion to Christianity led to the development

Of his revolutionary ideals and push for advancement.

The Spirit of Christ brought Sun life enhancement.

As a result, his baptismal name, Rixin was given,

“Daily renewal” is its literal meaning.

Greatly troubled by a backward China

That demanded exorbitant taxes

Levies from its people

Though they be obedient and humble

Honorable, harmonious, and not apt to quarrel.

The people were conservative and compliant

Hence they needed a spokesperson a bit defiant

Upon whom they could be reliant

The Chinese ancient methodology

Left no room for expression or creativity.

Freedom of thought and opinion was nonexistent

So Sun Yat-sen did birth, encourage, and make a place for it.

From the influence of Christian missionaries in Hawaii,

Sun learned to question things and ask “Why?”

Sun developed a disdain for traditional Chinese religious beliefs.

Which he knew experientially to be fruitless and weak.

One day, Sun and his childhood friend Lu Hao-tung

Thought to challenge the people and do something fun

Challenge the false gods and prove them to be powerless

Passing by Beijidian, a temple in Cuiheng Village,

He beheld dead religion which was nothing more than pillage

They saw many villagers sincerely and ignorantly worshipping

The Beiji (literally North Pole) emperor-god in the temple.

So they boldly broke off the hand of the statue,

As expected nothing in retaliation did the god to them do

The wrath of fellow villagers however did they incur

Nevertheless for truth they considered the persecution

Inevitable and were willing to endure

To open unto their people a divine door

Through Christ of whom they were sure

The joys of heaven and freedom, their hearts it did lure.

As for the Beiji god, it never defended itself

Being unable and lacking in divine power

This defining moment was therefore the hour

In which Sun Yat-sen broke free from religious ignorance

And endeavored to launch a new move with brilliance

Liberating and uplifting his people would be glorious

Set on a course to accomplish national transformation

Sun, who had grown increasingly troubled

By the conservative Qing government

And its refusal to adopt knowledge

Quit his medical practice in order to devote his time

To transform his beloved China.

In 1894, Sun wrote a long letter to Li Hongzhang,

The governor-general of Zhili and a reformer in the court,

With suggestions on how to strengthen China,

But Sun was rebuffed and of him they made sport.

Since Sun had never been trained in the classics,

The gentry did not accept Sun into their circles.

From then on, Sun began to fervently call

For the abolition of the monarchy and its fall

The monarchy’s blind eyes that could not see

Sun worked for the establishment of a republic in liberty.

In October 1894, Sun went to Hawaii

Believing for national renewal and a political strategy

Sun founded the Revive China Society

He became China’s revivalist that touched eternity

To unveil the goal of a prospering China

His ideas formed a platform for revolutionary activity

People of lower classes who were disenfranchised came

Upheld the ideals and virtues of his name

Laboring for China’s liberation just the same

Fellow Cantonese expatriates joined the cause

Birthing breakthrough for a civilization today we awe

1.2 billion citizens of splendid China

A pleasant people scattered across the planet

Their delicious culinary delights, we do taste it

The stronghold of imperialism, Sun you did break it

Transcending the wall of China and those who made it

A magnificent cultural phenomena

Today Caucasians say, “Nee how ma?”

As this world power is known economically

It is also exquisite culturally

Mighty and to be feared militarily

Increasingly being awakened spiritually

By Chinese revivalists preaching throughout China

Today saying, “Yay-soo eye nee!”

Renewal is sweeping the land triumphantly!

Sun Yat-sen, father of China,

Your efforts and acts done diligently

Have surely brought your homeland victory

Sun Yat-sen, for China, we thank and salute thee!

Paul Davis is a FL real estate professional, life coach (relational & professional), worldwide minister, and change master.

Paul is the author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; Poems that Propel the Planet; and God vs. Religion.

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His Dream-Maker Inc. is building dreams, breaking limitations & reviving nations.

Paul’s Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-284-1705.

For additional info: DreamMakerMinistries.com CreativeCommunications.TV

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The political structure was a very uneven structure in the sense that it did not aspire to equality. The Imperial family – the Manchus – were at the top of the political structure. The Manchus were, and are, a minority who come from Manchuria. They governed from 1644 – 1911 and became nearly assimilated into China. Basically, the Manchus adopted the Chinese culture. When they first came into control, the court documentations were written in Manchu and in Chinese. Now, however, the Manchu language is hardly used.

There were groups of people who were called Mandarins, who were the officials. There was a system of exams where the Chinese classic were used. In order to become a Mandarin, one had to pass an exam based on the Chinese classics. Those related to the Manchu court had more of a chance of becoming powerful. However, there were other ways to get through, for example via bribery or corruption, during the latter period of the 19th century. This was one instance of how to problem of corruption became more serious during the 19th century. The area of China which was controlled by the Manchus at this time consisted of the whole of China as it is today, plus Mongolia, by the middle of the 19th century.

Internal trade was very important to China at this time. The silk industry was extremely significant then, and had been for many centuries. According to the population demography, the balance of the population and the ability to sustain it reached the maximum at about 1779. Afterward, it continued to rise but could not sustain itself at the same time. Consequently, the standard of living and food available for each person declined. It is estimated that about 9 – 13 million people died in one of the biggest famines in history. About 5 million people starved to death in the province of Shaanxi, about one third of the population, in a single winter.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the political administration experienced a sharp decline. These problems were not widely known, even to the Emperor, at this time. Nonetheless, as a result of a combination of political and economic problems, the Emperor gave up the throne. Chinese society was based on a hierarchy, the top consisting of all male officials, and the older men had more power. One of the most stark signs of the exploitation of women was foot binding, and this became worse over time.

In 1853, the soldiers of the Taiping revels took hold of Nanjing, and held it for eleven years. They had a lot of support from those other than the Mandarins. The Taiping espoused a certain brand of Christianity. They were relatively egalitarian, in spite of the Confucian order, and believed in equality of the sexes – the allowed women to be officials, own land, and were opposed to the practice of foot binding. The Taiping also believed in separation of the sexes. In 1856, the Taiping wrangled amongst themselves for control of the group, and as a consequence, many people were killed. In 1859, Hong Rengan visited Nanjing with ideas about modernisation. The Taiping army was defeated by Hong’s army in the early 1860’s.

The Tongzu Emperor came to the throne in 1861 and attempted to implement a restoration. He was very in favour of modernisation. In August 1870, a big dispute occurred outside of an orphanage in the city of Tianjin, which resulted in a massacre, involving a French consul. The French consul was killed and many other people died as a result.

During the 1860’s – 1870’s, there was a rebellion in the west of China. The rebellion was based on setting up an independent kingdom. The Chinese felt that they had to strengthen themselves to protect against western Imperialists. In 1862, the Chinese set up a college of foreign languages.

In 1856 there was a new round of wars that resulted in new treaties – where China was further encroached upon. The British and the French invaded China up to a climax in 1898. These treaties became known as “the unequal treaties”. The Chinese were, because of this, caught in a very difficult situation. Under the treaty of Nanjing, several ports were opened up for trade, the main port being Shanghai. Shanghai became a port for the western powers. To this day, buildings survive in Shanghai from this period.

As the 19th century wore on, the foreigners assumed that extra-territoriality – similar to diplomatic immunity – was their right. There became more places where foreigners established their own law and courts in China. In 1856, despite the notion of extraterritoriality, a French missionary was decapitated for a crime by a Chinese court. This ignited a war between the French and the British, and the French destroyed the old Summer Palace. One of the things that the Chinese were forced to do in their defeat to the French was to let missionaries to be set up in China. This meant for a divisive kind of society, and led to further Western encroachment. China’s sovereignty was waning and the Chinese bitterly resented it.

The last few years of the 19th century were the worst of all for China. Korea was isolated and Japan had began modernisation. In the 1860’s, a rebellion began in Korea that flared up in the 1890’s. The Chinese and the Japanese sent in troops to Korea at this time. As a result, a war broke up between China and Japan. This period saw several large scale naval battles and the total defeat of the Chinese navy by the Japanese. This became known as the first Sino-Japanese war. The treaty of Shimonoseki was signed in 1895. From that point on, Japanese influence in Korea expanded rapidly and the Chinese influence practically disappeared.

The 100 days reform in 1898 was implemented to reduce reforms to modernise China in the fashion of how the West and Japan had done so. Empress Cixi carried out a coup d’etat and had the Emperor placed under house arrest. Cixi seized power and had the reformists executed. At the same time, the foreign powers stepped up their encroachment in China in what is now known as the “scramble for concessions”. The most important of these is the 99-year lease taken out on Hong Kong in 1898.

China had disintegrated so much in the second half of the 19th century. It had become little more than a colony. Basically, China had slipped into a complete state of chaos by the turn of the 20th century.

Luthor Erik Laine is a scholar at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia. He maintains a personal blog at http://www.mesetaxchange.com/blog.

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When Zhuo Ling, a native of Shangai, was named Miss China Universe of 2002, she, an attractive fashion model, became the first Chinese woman to win a modern beauty contest in the People’s Republic of China, one of the world’s last Marxist nations in the 21st century. But there’s more, of course. In the previous decades, the Communist rule, as a number of Marxist states in Eastern Europe, among them the USSR and the Democratic German Republic, did not send entries to Miss Universe and Miss World.

China Under Mao Zedong

After China’s independence in 1949, Madame Chiang Ching, “First Lady of the Cultural Revolution” (1966-76), and Mao Tse-tung (or Mao Zedong), who said which “women hold up half the sky”, proclaimed total war against the capitalistic traditions: tourism, beauty pageants, and western clothes. During that time, the cult of beauty was replaced by the cult of Mao Tse-tung. The People’s Republic underwent over 25 years of Maoist government.

In contrast to the People’s Republic, Taiwan sent a handful of contestants to Miss Universe and other international pageants in the 1960s. Against all odds, Taiwan became one of the world’s beauty pageant superpowers, along with the United States, Argentina, and Britain. On November 9, 1961, Grace Li Shiu-ying was first runner-up to Miss World in the United Kingdom. During that year, Lily Wang Li-ling was a semi-finalist at the Miss Universe contest in America. In addition, Dolly Ma was one of 15 semi-finalists in the First Miss International in Long Beach, California. On July 14, 1962, Miss Taiwan Universe Helen Liu Shiu-man finished in the Top Four in Miami Beach, Florida. Nine months later, Helen was first runner up to Miss Asia-Pacific in Tokyo.

At the end of 1964, Taiwan’s delegate Linda Lin finished third in London, behind Great Britain and Argentina. Meanwhile, four months ago, Lana Yu Yi made the Top Five in Miss Universe 1964. Otherwise, Macy Shih earned the 1968 Miss Asia-Pacific title in Quezon City, Philippines. Finally, Patsy Wu was crowned Miss Queen of the Pacific Quest in Australia in 1969.

During Cold War, Taiwan was not the only Chinese territory in the pageants. Hong Kong, a British dependency from 1842 until July 1, 1997, also competed in the United States and London. But there’s more. The 24th Miss Universe was held in 1976 in Hong Kong, a few kilometers from the People’s Republic. In the subsequent decade, Eric Morley, Chairman of the Miss World Organization, chose HK to host the 1989 Miss World.

Goodbye Madame Chiang Ching!

After the fall of Madame Chiang Ching, an admirer of Sweden’s actress Greta Garbo, the new Chinese leaders, among them Deng Xiaoping, put an end to the Maoist policies. However, despite the end of Maoism, women weren’t allowed to compete in beauty pageants. That’s why China, on the other hand, decline to participate in the global contests in the 1990s.It was not until 2002 that the Marxist country held its first beauty contest. Since then, China was one of the last places, apart from the likes Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia, in the world to hold a contest. Before the Communists came to power in 1949, this nation had had several beauty queens.

Zhuo Ling — A Pioneer in China

Against all odds, Zhuo Ling was crowned Miss China Universe in the early 2000s. After winning the crown, she went to San Juan de Puerto Rico, host to Miss Universe 2002. Without the financial advantages of so many of the world’s beauty queens producers, Miss China participated in Miss Universe, where she had three tests: firstly, a physical fitness evaluation, (finished fourth); an evening gown competition (first place);and finally an exhaustive personal interview with 12 international judges, among them Tatjana Patitz (fashion model), Marisol Malaret (former Miss Universe), and Christopher McDonald (performer). During an interview for the New York Times, she told, “Generally when you’re picked as your country’s representative there are some special events and you’re given some tutoring, I didn’t have a chance to help my country. And I didn’t have a former Miss China at my side. It made me pretty sad.”

But China gave a more than satisfactory showing in its first-ever involvement in MU in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Surprisingly, Ms. Zhung, who speaks fluent English with an Asian accent, made history when was first runner-up, ahead of some of Latin America’s most beautiful girls, among them Vanessa Mendoza (Colombia’s representative) and Cinthya Lander (Miss Venezuela). According to the new results, she finished second, behind Justine Pasek, Miss Panama (Russia’s Oxana Fedorova had won but she was disqualified by the Miss Universe Organization).

Miss China

Once the People’s Republic of China became a member of the Miss Universe Pageant, several beauty contests popped up like never before in Shangai, Beijing and other Chinese metropolises, as well as Tibet. At the same time, Amelia Vega, 2003 Miss Universe, arrived in China for a visit. Likewise, it hosted a host of global events, including Miss International (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 ), and Miss Tourism Queen International (2004-2009 ). Since November 2003, up to 800 foreign beauty queens have arrived to Beijing and other cities, including entries from countries which does not have diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic.

From 2003 to 2005, Hainan, a tropical island in the Chinese Sea, hosted the Miss World competitions. Two years on, at the end of 2007, Zhang Zi-lin, a well-trained contestant, was crowned as the new Miss World, making it the first Communist country in the world to produce a Miss World title since 1989.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women’s rights, among them “History of the Women in America” and “Famous Americans”.

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KWANGCHOW, P.R. CHINA – Momentous change affecting the whole world is underway in the Peoples Republic of China, but the speed and direction will be determined here in old Canton where East meets West contrary to poetic assertion.

This bustling port city on the Pearl River delta north of Hong Kong has been China’s official trade center since 714 A.D.

In the past, foreign businessmen came here to exchange machinery and opium for porcelain and bamboo fishing poles.

Before long, China’s prize commodity will be oil. Only those nations with cash or technology will find it worthwhile to attend the mammoth trade fair held here every Spring and Fall.

China is about the size of the United States, with similar climate range and diversity of natural resources. Though it invented the tools of capitalism centuries ago – paper money, banks, printing, civil service – over-population always required concentration on food production. Consequently in-the-ground minerals have not been exploited extensively.

Today all this is changing.

Oil is being discovered in great quantity. The industrial nations are bargaining for this precious energy, price no object. Capital soon may flow to China in a torrent greater than that to the otherwise barren OPEC countries.

History may record that Mao Tse-tung, who ended a century-old civil war and unified modern China, was the last of the agrarian leaders.

Signs of change abound in this most populous Asian nation. Decades of isolation are giving way to international commerce. English has become a required language in schools. Chinese leaders welcome opportunities to visit American and Europe.

The thirtieth anniversary of the Communist Liberation October 1st came and went with little fanfare. Here in Kwangchow, as this is written, all effort is directed toward sprucing up streets and buildings for the International Trade Fair.

In Beijing, the capital, there was no rally in Tiananmen Square where the Communist Party Central Committee frequently assembles a million people for special events. Most surprising, there were no fireworks in a nation that has made an art of pyrotechnics.

The event was marked only by a “personal holiday” for workers and a banquet in the Great Hall for government leaders. Chairman Hua Guofeng lauded the achievements of the people but pointedly omitted Mao’s name.

In a speech described “of historic importance” by the party press, Marshal Ye Jianying implicitly blamed Mao for all that had gone wrong in the recent “cultural revolution.”

Mao had been forced into the background as a result of the devastating failure of his Great Leap Forward. Yet, at age 73, he fretted that the country under Premier Lin Piao was drifting away from communist principles. Carefully written essays to this effect by Mao were rejected by the government controlled press.

Finally his young third wife, a former actress named Chiang Ching, joined with the propaganda minister and two others in a plan to gain leadership through Mao’s influence with the peasants.

This “gang of four” published Mao’s call for a new cultural revolution and unleashed the peasant-based Red Guards to purge all those who had “taken the capitalist road.” Teachers, scientists and professional people were special targets. Many were killed, thousands imprisoned and untold numbers banished to collective farms for “re-education” by forced labor.

Formal education was scorned as “western decadence.” For a full decade, from 1966 to 1976, not one college student was graduated from China. The “Thoughts Of Mao,” published in millions of little red books, was declared to be all the wisdom China needed.

During these excesses, the gang of four announced that Lin had attempted to assassinate Mao and was himself was killed in a plane crash while fleeing to Russia. It is an unsubstantiated story that brings knowing head shakes from private Chinese citizens.

Deng Xiaoping, an advocate of liberalization under Lin, was jailed.

All of this was more than Mao had anticipated. He denounced his wife and allied himself with those party leaders who wished to end the madness. That opportunity came with U.S. President Richard Nixon’s initiative in 1972 to establish normal trade relations.

Upon Mao’s death in 1976, moderate leaders in the party gained the courage to arrest the gang of four, appoint Hua and Deng to the top posts, and turn the nation toward rehabilitation. A trial for the gang of four is expected before year end.

A more significant sign of burgeoning change is the attitude of young Chinese toward the official Four Modernizations program. Agriculture, science, technology and defense are to receive emphasis, in that order, for the rest of this century.

The road to progress is to be through education. Colleges and research laboratories are being reopened as rapidly as possible. The government says it will send 8000 Chinese students to the U.S. next year to study science, particularly mathematics.

Chinese young people are enthusiastic about the prospects. When they approach Americans on the street, as they often do here in Kwangchow, “to walk with you and practice English” they relish discussing the Four Modernizations.

Make no mistake, they are firm believers in communism.

The reason they are free, unlike Russians, to talk with foreigners is that the government is confident of its indoctrination. Political education begins in kindergarten. Newspapers, radio and television are tightly censored. Every Friday afternoon factory and farm workers attend official lectures.

Li and Chang are typical of the students throughout China who filled my evenings with talk of politics and friendship. They are convinced that through socialism populous China will catch up with the capitalist nations.

When?

Chang, just entering college at age 28 because of the cultural revolution, thinks his people expect too much too soon from modernization. “There will be change for the better, but not as fast as most think.”

Li is younger and has been relatively untouched by past ideological struggle. He thinks China will leap into the modern world overnight.

“What do you expect from modernization?” I asked.

“A nice family, a well furnished flat, a refrigerator and an automobile,” he replied.

“What will happen if you have not obtained these things by the time you have children of your present age?”

After a thoughtful silence he answered, “The revolutionary spirit is strong in the Chinese people.”

Along with the Four Modernizations program, the government promotes family planning to reduce over-population. An initial burst of mechanization had to be slowed because the resulting unemployment – now 20 million – threatened the economy.

Some progress with the problem is being made through birth control, free abortions, tax incentives and late marriages. There are accusations that baby girls are murdered by their own parents so they can try again for a boy.

Men cannot get a marriage license until they are 28, women 25. When a couple has their first child, they receive a monthly “reward” of five yen ($3.20) for up to four years. If they have a second child before that time, the reward stops. Doctors will not deliver a third child without party permission, and in these rare instances the couple must pay a five-yen “penalty.”

This is a tremendous change for the family-oriented Chinese, but the high degree of voluntary compliance is an indication of their determination to make modernization succeed.

“It will be a triumph for socialism,” declared Li.

“Don’t forget the Great Leap,” I cautioned. “You cannot modernize without a lot of capitalism.”

Again there was a long pause, and Chang replied: “I have though much about this, and sometimes I think capitalism is not so bad!”

The genie is out of the bottle!

Change is coming to China. The question is whether millennia of custom and decades of brain washing can be reshaped adequately.

If – big if – China can obtain the capital to harness her natural resources, and backs off from communism enough to fully use her enormous human energy, she will dominate the world.

November 01, 1979

Click here to see this article on Lindsey Williams’s website

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at:

LinWms@earthlink.net or LinWms@lindseywilliams.org

Website: http://www.lindseywilliams.org with over a thousand of Lin’s Editorial & At Large articles written over 40 years.

Also featured in its entirety is Lin’s groundbreaking book “Boldly Onward,” that critically analyzes and develops theories about the original Spanish explorers of America. (fully indexed/searchable)

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A winner of the Lincoln Center Award for Music Achievement at age 15, Bloom attended both Julliard and Manhattan Schools of Music Prep Departments. He joined Atlantic Records in 1977 (a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group) and launched KB communications in 1984, one of the first entertainment marketing companies. He formed a joint venture with China Film (China’s film monopoly) in 1988 and secured the China license for the Warner Music library, which led to the first foreign owned PRC record company since 1949. Over the years, Bloom went on to produce numerous radio shows, television programs, concerts by internationally renowned artists, soundtracks, and Broadway plays. He is widely recognized as a major player in the entertainment industry.

One might wonder if Bloom would be ready to ride on his reputation for a while, coasting through the years to come after having such an illustrious career. But nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, Bloom is moving faster, striking harder with a bold strategy to become a leading content producer. Leading the charge is MOGO, a video site covering the emerging independent music scene in China to the young, hip (undeserved) urban music consumer.

I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Bloom regarding his past, and his vision for the future. It was one of the most enlightening, thought provoking, and inspirational interviews I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.

Q: You’ve had over 20 years experience in the Chinese music business, beginning with the launch of Warner Music China. What are some of the unique characteristics that have shaped its development?

For one thing, massive piracy. The only business left now is ringtones and live shows. That said, there are more artists now then every before. 20 years ago there were half a dozen big pop stars and 4 rock bands. Now there are scores of pop stars and well over 300 working rock bands.

Q: So what’s sustaining that growth in the face of piracy?

Basically, live shows. The entire industry is going through a global transition. China is no different in that regard.

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about the recent WTO decision opening the Chinese market to more Western entertainment, including music. The RIAA reaction to the decision was to state: “Enhancing the ability of the U.S. creative community to do business in China will generate needed revenue and jobs to the U.S. economy.” This seems to fly in the face of the piracy problem. But having said that, do you believe that the decision will at least result in an increase in the international repertoire’s share of the overall market?

China’s music market has a 98% mandarin language repertoire. It’s what they like. The WTO decision is certainly not going to change the musical tastes of the Chinese consumers. And why should China embrace western music in a language they don’t understand. Does the West embrace Chinese music? That’s a totally open market. This has been an inane concept for quite some time, that every market has a pent up demand for Western culture. In a way, it sends a very disturbing message that “your culture is not as relevant”.

Q: Let’s discuss the latest western invasion in China – Google’s oPhone vs. Apple’s iPhone, China Mobile vs. China Unicom… While the iPhone launch in China thus far has been disappointing, it is turning into a new platform being seized by indie bands and labels to release content and manage their fan base. How will the smart phone impact the Chinese music business?

It will be a long time before smart phones are in the hands of the “average” Chinese consumer. They are just too expensive to have a huge impact outside of business applications.

Q: But, the Chinese are super-status oriented and there is an upper-middle urban class. Why, when these products are launched in China, would they not be successful – especially with 400 million mobile users?

Even with 400 million users, you are talking about a relatively small percentage of the population who are upper-middle urban class. Out of the total population, maybe 3% can be classified as such. And they’re not necessarily listening to music, certainly not Western music.

Q: Pepsi has been making big moves in China with their nationally televised Battle of the Bands “Vox Rock” and launch of their music label QMusic. Is Pepsi really serious about supporting the independent Chinese music scene? And if so, is this a model that will have legs in China (i.e., might we someday listen to Tsingtao’s latest buzz band)?

It is essential that corporate sponsors support the music industry. We are now seeing more of it focused on rock and hip-hop. But we also need local media to embrace those musical styles in order to build the consumer base. Otherwise, sponsors won’t be able to quantify their investment in music that is outside of the mainstream.

Q: Isn’t QMusic much more than sponsorship? They’re talking about developing and launching new bands, like Starbucks Hear Music.

Let’s see what they do. It’s still too early to make judgments as they have not yet started their operations.

Q: I have one final question for you. Mogo is something of a 21st century MTV-like pioneer in China. You are creating original and professionally produced WebTV content (not user-generated), in support of the emerging independent scene (art, music…). That’s difficult enough in the West. What are some of the unique challenges you face – the consumer, the government, advertisers?

It’s China’s own home-grown music TV station and all parties have been very supportive. The biggest challenge we are facing is finding qualified staff. Every company has problems finding experienced workers. Don’t forget, the modern era of China is only 30 years old with most of the development coming in the past 10. The word of the day is “patience”. It will all happen, but it will happen on China’s terms.

Eric de Fontenay built in 1997 what has become some of the leading voices in the growing debates shaping the entertainment industry through its trade e-publications MusicDish and Mi2N. He later expanded MusicDish LLC into brand development and artist development, while diving into personal management with World Calypso band Kobo Town. Eric is a regular speaker at conferences worldwide ranging from MIDEM to the Harvard Law School as well as in print with his last paper “Peer-to-Peer Networking and Policy” published by Kluwer Academic Publishers.

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China’s problems during the era of revolution, while for the most part detached from foreign influence, would not have occurred were it not for the foreign activity that was occurring in China since several decades earlier, during the Nanjing Decade, and prior to the establishment of the CCP government in 1949. One could be inclined to agree, after reading historical facts between 1927 and 1949, that the idea of wayward foreigners managing to cause such chaos in China’s social structure bears insignificance, using reasoning based on the scarcity of foreign influence in China, and the lack of important or historical events that involved foreigners. The impact of the West during such a time, one may think, seems like it has been blown out of proportion by some Western historians.

Moreover, it can also be argued easily that foreigners did not play such a critical role in the involvement of China’s affairs since 1927 because of the presence of Chiang Kai Shek’s nationalist Guomindang government and its lack of interest in foreign affairs (Chiang himself was popularly considered an “anti-colonial hero” in China.) Vervoorn makes a double-edged argument by introducing us to the study of Asian Societies with the following statement: It is tempting, especially for Westerners, to assume that contemporary Asian societies can be understood without a knowledge of their social, economic and political traditions. ‘Modern’ or ‘contemporary’ Asia, it is sometimes asserted, begins with Western influences anyway, and one needs to know no more about local traditions than that they are an obstacle to progress, that is, to Westernization. Were this true, it would be gratifying for those Westerners who like to see themselves as the vanguard of civilization, and make international understanding much easier (we could no longer call it cross-cultural understanding)…however, nothing could be further from the truth. Vervoorn is non-committal about this argument by further stating that:”Theories, methods of interpretation, strategies for understanding, and philosophical approaches… date as facts do, but if they are worth anything they will now greater resistance to historical wear and tear.”

It is indisputable that China experienced many problems during the first half of the 20th century, both from external and internal sources. China, despite boasting a civilization spanning about 5,000 years, struggled to modernize. The process of modernization in China was a long and painful one, involving many wars, uprisings, rebellions and revolution. MacKerras tells us that: The first half of the twentieth century… was a period when modernization became accepted as an ideal by governments… It saw great reforms at least attempted, albeit haltingly, in several major fields… Above all this period saw the continuation and climax of a revolutionary process that had begun in the middle of the nineteenth century. It is in my view that while it is true that the Chinese faced much adversary and struggle internally from during the rule of the Kuomintang, the root cause of the painful process of modernization was actually instigated by the West.

It is a popular argument among scholars that China has been the main victim of Western Imperialism. MacKerras tells us that in China, during the period from 1900 to 1949, we “saw the first serious flowering of the forces we associate with modernity”. As it is held that modernization is directly related to Westernization, we can apply this idea to the situation in question: According to Vervoorn, it is widely held that “‘Modern’ or ‘contemporary’ Asia… begins with Western influences”. Vervoorn backs up the idea of modernization equating to westernization by further stating that “some see [the globalization process] positively and describe it in terms such as development, modernization, progress. Others see it negatively and use the words such as Westernization, imperialism, neocolonialism”.

Knight has also argued that most of Asia (especially China, in this case), has been, and is still “strongly influenced in numerous ways… by forces outside the region”. Knight also asserts in his book Understanding Australia’s Neighbours that China was “heavily influenced by the activities of the colonial powers”, and in a later chapter reinforces that idea by mentioning that “no region can remain immune from international forces”. The level of impact the West has made has justified the extent to which such an idea has been mentioned. Knight describes the impact by making the following statement: “European colonialism from the sixteenth century, while sporadic and uneven in effect, cumulatively exerted a profound impact on the region… European imports [such as nationalism and the concept of the nation-state] had a dramatic influence on the countless millions of people who lived in East and Southeast Asia”.

Knight wrote that “some historians have argued that it is incorrect to interpret the history of East and Southeast Asia, from 1498 to the mid 1950’s, as nothing more than the history of European colonialism, with the history of East and Southeast Asia limited to a response to this external influence”. These scholars may be correct in their interpretation of modern history in Asia, as Knight presents a plethora of evidence to suggest so. Knight also makes a compelling argument by mentioning to us that we shouldn’t view the impact of the West as having either too adverse or too little adverse effect on Asia countries (such as China): “The… history of East and Southeast Asia cannot… be adequately understood without some comprehension of the history of colonialism and the response of many Asian people to the disruption, oppression and exploitation which colonialism brought. By the same token, the history of East and Southeast Asia, from 1498 to 1955 should not be read just as the history of the impact of European colonialism and the Asian response that this engendered.” Therefore, while it is evident that the West has made a profound impact on China in modern times, we can also agree that during the reign of Chiang Kai Shek and the National Government from 1928 to 1949, China’s problems were essentially of an internal nature.

During China’s process of transformation – which of itself was instigated by Western ideologies of modernization, as we have thus far argued, the country had, as expected, experienced several decades of internal instability. Thus, the idea that “the causes of China’s problems were essentially internal (emphasis added)”, is relatively shallow, given the scope of Western dominance in China during modern times.

In the year 1927, there was the coming to power and control of the state by the Nationalist Movement leader Chiang Kai Shek, leading to the proclamation of the new capital of Nanjing on April 18, 1927. The nationalist government’s foreign policy during the Nanjing Decade was fittingly based on nationalism, one of Sun Yat Sen’s three principles. The unequal treaties and other unfair policies implemented by foreign governments were removed as a result of the government’s nationalist policies. China recovered many foreign concessions during this time, and Britain granted tariff autonomy to China in 1928. China recovered all of its territories except Hong Kong, which remained with the British until 1997. Basically, China reclaimed her sovereignty during this time.

The performance of China in the field of diplomacy, however, was a failure, according to Fung: “Despite some notable achievements in treaty revision, the performance of the National Government in the sphere of foreign relations was a failure on the whole. Owing to a combination of factors, Nanjing’s was the diplomacy of weakness”.

The Sino-Japanese war began in 1937, and during the war Chinese relationsseemed to improve with the West. China became popular once Japan was defeated in 1945, and China’s position in the world had improved remarkably since the beginning of the century. Shortly after the war, the Nationalist government starts to become unpopular due to growing support of the communist party, and after four years of conflict against the government, the CCP gains control of China in 1949. All of these historical events were part of the process of the modernization of China.

Talk of Western influence is scarcely found in the historical account of China between 1927 and 1949, so of course it would be easy to assume that the nation’s problems were caused internally. It does however seem unusual to apply the argument that, all of a sudden, in the 20th century, China ran into a lot of strife.

The Chinese civilization has lasted in relative stability for the 5,000 years or thereabouts preceding the industrial age. K.R. Hall mentioned that “the story of economic development [in Southeast Asia]… begins long before the Christian era”. So, given the historical scope of development in China and the fact that China’s problems really began only in recent times, along with the encroachment of the West, it is reasonable to assert that although China’s problems were of an internal nature, they were ultimately caused, or at least contributed to, by the West.

Sure enough, China experienced for the most part, a lot of internal troubles during the Nanjing decade and subsequent years until the coming to power of the CCP in 1949. But essentially, as we have demonstrated, none of this would have happened were it not for the meddling nature of the European colonialists during the preceding century. Ultimately, both the West and China had contributed to the era of revolution in China. The path to modernization in China was a hectic run of events that led to the ultimate transformation and the birth of the communist China we know today.

Luthor Erik Laine is a scholar at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia. He maintains a simple Japan-related web shop at http://www.japanfunzone.com and a personal blog at http://www.mesetaxchange.com/blog.

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Every Sunday, we would get in the car and drive across town to visit my grandparents. My mother and grandmother would sit and have tea. As a very young girl, I was invited to participate in this weekly ritual. When I was very young, I had my own miniature tea set that I enjoyed.

As I grew older, I was able to sit with the ladies and drink from the English bone china tea set. I remember that I looked forward to seeing which set my grandmother would use. Years later, I found that the tea sets were also a feast for the eyes.

These dainty pretty cups are a far cry from today’s coffee mugs and cups.  They add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any table setting. A beautiful plain tablecloth can be transformed into a memorable table setting in just a few minutes. This is what memories are made of: sharing, enjoying another’s company and a good cup of tea, served in a dainty tea cup.

There is something about drinking out of a proper tea cup that makes tea taste better. As a young girl, I appreciated the beauty and elegance of these delicate cups. I unknowingly became hooked at collecting these pieces of beauty.

The manufacturers of tea cups and tea pots started to make the cups and saucers as a stand alone purchase. That means that the cups and saucers were not necessarily part of a dinner or tea service. This is the reason when you go to your favorite tea room you will see a very eclectic setting of tea cups.

More on china tea sets

For those who dismiss this hobby of collecting as being “common” really shows how little they know about the history of tea cups and tea ware.

Collecting tea cups, saucers or tea pots is a hobby that every one can afford. The price range can vary from as little as 25 cents at a yard sale to $250 for the more upscale manufacturers such as Royal Doulton china or Royal Albert china.

There is nothing common about English bone china or Royal Doulton. When bone china was developed, it was found to hold bright colors and patterns.  The Royal Albert and the Royal Doulton companies have created a plethora of patterns to please.

Collecting china tea sets is making a comeback. With the growing trend of tea drinkers comes an appreciation of the taste of a cup of tea from a proper tea cup. In a society where our lives are so busy and hectic, many are finding the time to sit and appreciate the finer moments of life. Drinking a cup of tea from a tea cup is an old tradition that is making a comeback.

Many enjoy the sense of refinement and tradition while drinking out of a proper tea cup. If you have found some very special settings in the back of your cupboards, or have had once loved tea ware passed down from another generation, it is a great time to take them out and use them.

Be careful, if you are not a collector of china tea sets, you may find yourself overcome by the beauty of the tea cup and surprised by the taste of the tea when it is served in a proper tea cup. The experience will have you hooked and anticipating your next tea experience. You will want to join a growing group of tea lover’s trying to rekindle some tradition and refinement in their life.

Connie Bednar has been a tea enthusiast all her life. Being a tea drinker naturally causes an appreciation of fine china and collectible tea cups and tea sets. Learn more about collecting bone china tea sets at her web site here Sign up for her informative newsletter while you visit. Here is another article you won’t want to miss on collecting.

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I have seen credit given for the willow china pattern given to at least two different people. One would be Thomas Turner who is said to have introduced the famous design in about 1780. The original copper plate for his design was engraved by Thomas Minton and is still preserved at Coalport China. The most reported story says that the willow design was the creation of Josiah Spode, a derivation of an original Chinese pattern called Mandarin. Spode developed his willow pattern sometime around 1790.

The traditional willow design always features a large beautiful Chinese home with a willow tree, small bridge with 3 figures, a humble servants house at the foot of the bridge, a small Chinese boat & of course the famous love birds above the willow tree. The romantic lore of the design could have added to it’s popularity over the years.

The story goes something like this…….

Long ago, in the days when China was ruled by emperors, a Chinese mandarin, Tso Ling, lived in the magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and in front of which is seen the graceful lines of the fence. Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island. The mandarin pursued and caught the lovers and was about to have them killed when the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves. These are seen gazing into each other’s eyes at the top of the design. A lengthy and old Staffordshire poem of the pattern concludes with the verse: “In the oft quoted plate two birds are perceived, High in the heaven above: These are the spirits of Chang and Kwang-se, A twin pair of ever in love”.

Companies That Produce Willow China Due to Spode’s obvious success with the Blue Willow design, many, many pottery & china companies went on to produce some version of it. Here is a list of manufacturers that I am familiar with that produced or still do produce Blue Willow.

Adams Adderly Alfred Meakin Allerton Barratt Booths Buffalo (restaurantware & hotelware) Burslem Churchill Coalport Cuthbertson Homer Laughlin John Maddox & Sons Johnson Brothers McCoy Pottery Myott Made in China Made in Holland Made in Japan Maruta Moriyama Pottery (Japan) Norcrest Ridgeway Royal China Royal Doulton Royal Wessex Scio Pottery (Ohio) Spode Staffordshire Syracuse China(Restaurantware & Hotelware) Wedgewood Wood & Sons

VARIETY OF WILLOW ITEMS As the popularity of Blue Willow grew & grew over the years many companies begin to make a variety of merchandise to coordinate with the customer’s china pieces. You can find just about anything in Blue Willow including but not limited to: glassware, wallpaper, linens , tablecloths & towels, flatware & cutlery, picture frames, piggy banks, cookware, enamelware, fabric, tins, needlepoint pillows & kits, planters, candles, switchplates, items for bed & bath, soap dishes, even paper products including paper plated & napkins!

Besides numerous price guides written to aid collectors, there is a child’s story book entitled BLUE WILLOW by Doris Gates. You might enjoy recipes from The Blue Willow Inn Bible of Southern Cooking.

In 2005 there was even an animated short movie made in New Zealand that tells Blue Willow’s story of love & family betrayal.

The willow design is also made in red (sometimes called red transferware, or pink willow), green, brown & multicolored.

There are many Blue Willow pieces now being made in China. These are nice pieces to fill in your collection with & much more reasonable than antique or vintage pieces. There are sellers however that try to pass these newly produced items off as vintage or antique. Be sure you are buying from a reputable sellers.Also be sure what you are buying is actually blue willow. I have seen Flow Blue, Blue Onion, Blue Calico & other Blue Transferware advertised as Blue Willow.

The most valuable Blue Willow items are the early English, Staffordshire & Spode pieces. The Mid Century Made in Japan pieces are growing in popularity as well & can command a good price on unusual styles. There are quite a few restaurantware collectors out there too, so the heavy restaurant weight china usually does well.

I hope this has given you a little insight into collecting Blue Willow China ~ Have Fun!

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/

Luanne R Oda aka NANALULU nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com

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For most, it’s generally thought that you don’t want to throw out the set because it was grandmother’s, and you remember as a child having Thanksgiving dinner with one of those plates only after you were old enough to not break a piece of the set so carefully cherished for years.

But it’s chipped and maybe stained, and you don’t know what else to do with it, except store it in a box in the basement. There are a few things you can do to move that set from the corner of the basement into your showcase.

Repurpose:

You can repurpose your set into another function. An artfully designed mosaic can be a beautiful use for your broken bits. You may choose the most beautiful part of the piece to create a small piece of jewelry or a put a small piece of the choice painted bit on display.

The drawback is of course that a mosaic only uses pieces and parts of the whole.Having grandmother’s beloved china further broken up doesn’t quite feel right. And what happens to all of the discarded pieces?

For some people this is definitely not the way to address their nostalgia. It may be chipped maybe, but at least they’d like to keep it whole.

China Repair:

There are a few artists who specialize in china repair and porcelain restoration. The techniques they use are incredible with invisible repair lines and museum quality restoration. It is important to remember that these repairs do not usually allow the owners to use the china for meals. It’s generally discouraged to eat food from a repaired plate.

However, a professional china repair can allow you to display grandmother’s china set in your hutch as a whole set. A displayed platter sitting next to several teacups with an entire stack of plates artfully arranged can allow you and your modern family to always enjoy the nostalgia, history, and family tall tales at every special family event.

You should also be aware that you need to clean and your repaired items carefully. If you have monetarily valuable china pieces – beside sentimental value – you must clean them with care. A thorough scrubbing can damage and greatly reduce the value of your item. It can simply remove the patina of age and indeed its antique value or perhaps even its sentimental value.

A professional china restoration artist is experienced in cleaning pieces with tremendous attention to the value of the piece, with museum accepted solvents, and professionally standard cleaning agents.

If you have a set of grandmother’s dinnerware that you would like to bring out of the basement and use in your family’s home, china restoration should be a definite consideration for displaying your set in a beautiful arrangement and setting.

Antique china repair artists use specialized techniques to revive the beauty of heirlooms pieces, antiques and collectibles. To see how a broken object can be restored to its original beauty, visit the site here http://www.luelstudio.com.

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