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About the Series
Presented by UCLA Library, The Claremont Colleges Library(opens in a new tab) and Columbia University Libraries(opens in a new tab) with funding support from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation(opens in a new tab).
The Materiality of Ming Books and Manuscripts lecture series brings together 13 scholars from North America and China to explore the history and material culture of Ming books and manuscripts. Speakers will present both foundational and recent research, offering essential context for a broad audience, including librarians seeking to build expertise in primary source materials and Object-Based Learning (OBL) instruction.
The series is designed to enhance awareness, strengthen professional competencies and deepen understanding of East Asian cultural heritage. Online sessions will introduce Ming books and manuscripts, while a future in-person residency will offer hands-on engagement with primary sources for selected participants.
Ming Materials at UCLA Library
The Ming dynasty (1368–1644) produced an extraordinary range of printed and manuscript works, reflecting innovations in papermaking, woodblock carving, ink production, multicolor printing and standardized calligraph style for printing. These physical qualities offer valuable insights into Ming social, cultural, technological, and economic life. Today, many exemplary Ming materials survive and are preserved in East Asian collections across North America.
The UCLA Library Richard C. Rudolph East Asian Library and UCLA Library Special Collections hold approximately 110 Ming books and manuscripts. The collection was acquired largely in the 1950s–1960s by Professor Richard C. Rudolph, founding chair of what was then title UCLA's Department of Oriental Languages, and built as a teaching resource.
Upcoming Workshops in this Series
Associated Topics
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