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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
History's marching papers
The oldest known fragment of paper, over 2000 years old, shows part of a map. It is just 5cm wide and comes from a Chinese grave. As digital communication takes over, so letters are now few and far between. This is going to create an unfortunate void for future historians, for so much is to be found in personal letters and diaries. Take, for example, the Roman fort of Vindolanda, just south of Hadrian's Wall in northern England. In 1973, a student excavator digging in swampy layers extracted what he thought were wood shavings. Prising two of these apart, he recognised writing. Under infrared, this archive of wafer thin wooden letters has revealed what life was like for those garrisoning the wall — there was an invitation to a party, and a request for more beer. Then consider earliest messages from the civilization of Sumer, pressed into clay tablets, or the papyrus records, made from the pith of the plant of the same name, that date back to 2560BC and which describe the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. In Europe, records were kept on parchment, that is curated animal skins. The best vellum comes from foetal calfskin. Angkorian temples included libraries for royal archives, but they stand empty because records were kept on palm leaves that have not survived the tropical climate. In China, early texts were written on strips of bamboo that were strung together with silk. So, consider what you are holding: a newspaper. Even in the digital age, paper remains central to our lives in so many ways. Tradition has it that paper was invented by a Chinese eunuch Cai Lun, who submitted his discovery to the Han emperor in 109AD. Early Chinese paper was made from the bark of the mulberry tree or sandalwood. However, archaeology has rejected this story, for the earliest fragment of paper found in a Chinese grave and bearing a map, has been dated to the first century BC. Paper documents soon became the norm in China, but how did expertise in paper making spread further? There is an intriguing story that it reached the Middle East and further west following the Battle of the Talas River in 751AD. Located on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan, the forces of the Abbasid Caliphate defeated the Tang Dynasty army, and in doing so, captured some Chinese paper makers. Be that as it may, paper was soon replacing papyrus in Baghdad and the inexorable spread of paper made its way west. The Magna Carta was written on parchment in 1309, the oldest paper document from England. However, the Treaty of Waitangi is written on a long sheet of paper.
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Acupoint Massage and Ancient Medicinal Recipes to Tone the Kidneys
Do you suffer from fatigue, back pain, or forgetfulness? These symptoms may be warning signals from your kidneys. You can nourish the kidneys through simple acupoint massage and diet therapy and enhance the body's self-repair capability. The 'kidney' in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an energy system centered around the two kidney organs. The kidney contains the ' Kidney Protection Starts From the Soles The energy of the human body runs through the internal organs and the body surface along the Yongquan (Bubbling Spring, KI1), located in the depression in the first third of the foot, is an important acupoint on the Kidney meridian. Location of the Yongquan acupoint. The Epoch Times Massage method: Rub the soles of your feet with your hands until they become warm. You can also rub your palms to warm them up and press them onto the Yongquan acupoints. Repeat this process for three to five minutes every morning and evening. Location of the Laogong acupoint. The Epoch Times The Laogong (Labor Palace, PC8), located in the palm of the hand, is an acupoint of the Pericardium meridian. Placing the Laogong on the Yongquan can achieve the connection between the heart and the kidney. In TCM theory, the heart represents fire, and the kidneys represent water. When the two energies blend, it achieves a balance, allowing one to sleep well and the body to repair itself. Place the Laogong acupoint on the palm onto the Yongquan point on the sole of the foot to achieve the connection between the heart and the kidney. Related Stories 5/22/2025 5/13/2025 Sleep is crucial in protecting the kidneys. According to TCM theory, resting between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. is more effective than taking any supplements. Warm the Lower Back With Warm Palms Another massage that helps nourish the kidneys is to the lower back with warm palms. Rub your palms together until they are warm, then place them on the kidney area on your lower back and gently massage for three to five minutes. This produces a warming and nourishing effect on the kidneys, radiating your health from the inside out. Ancient Recipe for Kidney-Tonifying Diet Therapy 'Tang Zheng Xiangguo Fang' is a TCM recipe for kidney tonification that has been prescribed for centuries. It came from Zheng Yu, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. It is said that Zheng, when serving as an official in the south, fell sick and none of the medicines he took worked until he tried a recipe recommended to him by a local prince. His symptoms of kidney deficiency, low back pain, and coughing vanished upon trying this recipe, which was later brought back by him to the capital and widely adopted. This recipe consists of only two main ingredients—Psoralea corylifolia and walnuts—which are ground into powder and mixed with honey. is a seed of the leguminous plant that nourishes the kidneys and strengthens the waist. Walnuts can also nourish the kidneys. Ingredients 250 grams Psoralea corylifolia 500 grams walnut kernels Honey Preparation Grind Psoralea corylifolia and walnuts into a fine powder Mix with enough honey and stir evenly to make a paste. Store in a glass bottle The paste can be eaten directly or spread on bread as a dietary supplement. Eating it regularly can help improve problems such as kidney deficiency, back pain, and lack of physical strength. Other foods that protect the kidneys according to TCM include foods that are black, such as black beans, black sesame seeds, and yams. Acanthopanax Tea: A Tonic for Office Workers During your daily tea break, a cup of kidney-tonifying Acanthopanax tea will work wonders. , also known as 'Siberian ginseng,' is a member of the Araliaceae family, which is the same family as ginseng. It nourishes the liver, kidneys, and the heart and pacifies the mind. It is particularly suitable for office workers who engage in prolonged mental work. Acanthopanax tea has a sweet taste and has no herbal flavor. Like ginseng, Acanthopanax also has the effect of replenishing qi, which means it can supply more oxygen to our body cells. Just taking one cup of it when you feel tired will refresh you. Ingredient 3-4 grams Acanthopanax senticosus Preparation Place Acanthopanax senticosus into a filter bag. Place the bag in a cup of hot water and brew for 5 minutes before drinking. 2 Things to Avoid That Will Cause Damage to Your Kidneys In addition, to keep your kidneys healthy, you need to be cautious about two things that can harm your kidneys. 1. Never hold your urine. Holding urine for too long damages the bladder and may also cause urine reflux, which is urine flowing back from the bladder to the ureters and even the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney disease. 2. Eat moderately and avoid high-sodium and high-purine foods. High-purine foods include organ meats, seafood, yeast extracts, alcoholic beverages, and certain vegetables, such as asparagus, cauliflower, and mushrooms. These foods can increase the load on the kidneys. Note: Some of the herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but are generally available in health food stores and Asian markets. Treatment methods may vary from person to person. Consult a health care professional for a personalized plan. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through
Asahi Shimbun
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Ancient China was more open to foreigners than Trump's U.S.
Taiwanese-Japanese author Chin Shunshin (1924-2015) once made an interesting observation about the "Shiji" ('Records of the Grand Historian') and the "Book of Han," two of China's famous classic historical texts. Both works contain ample references to many ethnic groups, including how their customs differed—such as that some bore tattoos or kept their hair closely cropped, while others did not. But curiously, according to Chin, no mention is made at all about their physical appearances, including facial features. Why? 'Perhaps the authors felt they could not write about such attributes, even if they wanted to,' Chin surmised, with his characteristic open-mindedness and thorough understanding of Chinese history. He went on to elaborate that the founders of the Chinese civilization were themselves an aggregation of highly diversified ethnic origins, hailing from many tribes and looking conspicuously different from one another—in short, theirs was a multiracial nation. And that, according to Chin, must have made it difficult or awkward for them to describe their physical differences among themselves. Flourishing in the Yellow River basin, they disdained outsiders as 'barbarians.' According to Sinocentrism, ethnicity is not the factor that differentiates the Chinese from the rest of humanity. Chin stated in his book 'Jukyo Sanzen-nen' ('Three Thousand Years of Confucianism'): 'Their pride lay in their civilization, not in their lineage.' Abe no Nakamaro (698-770) was a Japanese student who was sent to Tang Dynasty China as an envoy. But he remained in China, where the authorities appointed him to a high office despite his 'despicable' origin. This decision bespoke openness, diversity and flexibility on the part of the Tang Dynasty, and I imagine such qualities contributed much to pre-modern China's prosperity. I suppose my readers now see where I am going with this column. It's about the present-day United States—specifically, Donald Trump's decision to kick foreign students out of Harvard University. This leaves me speechless. He obviously wants to dry up the source of America's strength with his own hands. Feeling the deterioration of this superpower, my thoughts turn to Japan, too. How open are we now? How diverse? —The Asahi Shimbun, May 25 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Chinese name for ancient Korean kingdom at Japanese museum draws backlash
Ancient kingdom Balhae's capital Sanggyeong labeled as 'Bohai Shangjing' at Japan's Osaka Museum of History Japan's Osaka Museum of History has come under fire for using a Chinese-style term for the ancient Korean kingdom of Balhae. According to civic activist Seo Kyoung-duk on Friday, the Japanese museum labeled Balhae and its capital, Sanggyeong, as 'Bohai' and 'Shangjing,' respectively, in its exhibits featuring photographs of historical sites in key neighboring regions around ancient Osaka. These English terms are often used by China to argue that Balhae was a regional regime founded by the Mohe people, an ethnic group that lived in the northern Korean Penninsula and northeastern Manchuria around the sixth century and which is claimed by China as one of its many ethnic groups. In Korean history, Balhae was the successor state to the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BC–668 AD). Founded in 698 by Dae Jo-yeong, a former Goguryeo general, the ancient kingdom was known for its active maritime trade with neighboring states, including China's Tang Dynasty, Japan and the Silla Kingdom. In an email to the museum, Seo urged officials to revise the terminology, stating, 'A history museum has a duty to present accurate history to visitors from around the world.' 'China's historical distortion is getting worse. Its artificial intelligence model DeepSeek has even claimed that Goguryeo and Balhae are part of Chinese history,' he added. "Inaccurate portrayals of history overseas could be used to legitimize these false claims and must be corrected." Under the 'Northeast Project,' the Chinese government has advanced initiatives to reframe the historical and cultural heritage of neighboring areas -- historically associated with China -- as part of its own history. Earlier in February, DeepSeek, a generative AI model developed in China, sparked controversy after responding to a question from Korea's National Intelligence Service -- 'To which country do Goguryeo and Balhae belong?' -- by claiming that both were key parts of China's ancient history. When asked where kimchi originates, DeepSeek responded, "It is a signature Korean food imbued with its culture and history," according to the spy agency. But when asked the same question in Chinese, it said, "The origin is not Korea, but China," and "It is related to Korea," when asked in English, the NIS said. Meanwhile, Chinese e-commerce platforms operating in Korea have also faced criticism for appearing to support the Northeast Project. When users search for kimchi on Temu, for example, the results include images of jars labeled with the Chinese term 'pao cai,' referring to Chinese-style pickled vegetables. 'The Northeast Project began when China saw Korean culture getting big worldwide after the 2000s and felt nervous that Korea might replace it as East Asia's cultural leader," said Seo, who is also a liberal arts professor at Sungshin Women's University.
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Luoyang's historical legacy: where ancient art meets modern innovation
BEIJING, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: On May 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping toured the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, central China's Henan province, to learn about local efforts to enhance the protection and utilization of historical and cultural heritage and promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism sector. The Longmen Grottoes trace their origins to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), when Emperor Xiaowen relocated the capital to Luoyang. Excavation continued through successive dynasties -- including the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550), the Western Wei Dynasty (535-556), the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557), the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The grottoes stand as a testament to the craftsmanship and devotion of countless artisans. Today, the site encompasses more than 2,300 caves and niches, over 2,800 inscriptions, and nearly 110,000 Buddhist statues -- bearing witness to a profound cultural legacy. Drawing on the artistic traditions of Indian cave temples and building upon the elegance of the Yungang Grottoes in north China's Shanxi province, the Longmen Grottoes bring together the style of Northern Wei sculptures and the majestic aesthetic of Tang Dynasty carvings. The result is a harmonious convergence of artistic traditions -- a brilliant expression of Eastern aesthetics that continues to captivate global audiences. In recent years, China has made significant strides in preserving and revitalizing grotto temples. From structural reinforcement and environmental management to digital preservation and monitoring, a range of innovative practices have been made. At the Longmen Grottoes, high-resolution 3D scanning and printing techniques are being used to virtually reconstruct scattered artifacts and restore damaged sculptures, seamlessly integrating fragments through digital technology. A smart digital twin platform brings cultural relics to life online, allows visitors to interact with virtual replicas. The focus has expanded beyond preservation -- heritage is being reimagined as a dynamic narrative, shared through immersive storytelling and innovation. The grottoes, however, are just one piece of Luoyang's broader cultural preservation. Renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, the city is captivating global visitors with its history and creative approaches to cultural expression. It has made great strides in transforming the deep historical legacy into a vibrant contemporary experience. Drawing from over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, 4,000 years of urban history, and 1,500 years as an imperial capital, Luoyang is positioning itself as a "City of Museums in the East," with more than 100 museums and memorial halls chronicling its evolution. Digital technology is reviving the past in vivid detail. Scenes of ancient canal transport along a grand canal built during the Sui and Tang dynasties are being reimagined through interactive digital displays. Mobile applications allow users around the world to virtually explore the Longmen Grottoes, while technologies like virtual reality bring Buddhist niches back to life. Meanwhile, creative experiences such as overnight stays in museums that combine immersive role-play with cutting-edge technology are redefining how people engage with cultural heritage. In Luoyang, cultural tourism has become not just popular, but fashionable. Ancient cities and historic streets, long viewed as vessels of history, are increasingly recognized as valuable resources in the cultural economy. Across China, cultural tourism is becoming a powerful driver of economic growth. In Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu province, the integration of industry, urban lifestyles, and traditional culture is producing tangible results. In Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, a modern identity has taken root -- where centuries-old charm meets digital-age influencers and innovation. By enriching cultural offerings and reimagining the tourism experience, Chinese cities are composing modern chapters in the grand narrative of their historical legacies. The story of Luoyang -- and of many ancient capitals -- is far from over. It is being told anew, with creativity, technology, and a renewed sense of purpose.
