James A. Benn
@jamesabenn.bsky.social
Medieval Chinese Religions. McMaster Uni. Burning for the Buddha (Hawai'i 2007) pback 2016; Tea in China (Hawai'i, 2015), Chinese trans. 2019. Canadian, obvs.
Reposted by James A. Benn
On 28 November 1559 #otd the Ming dynasty calligrapher and painter Wen Zhengming 文徵明 (1470-1559) died. Here's one of my favourites - which itself deals with themes of mourning - for the anniversary
heni.com/talks/wen-zh...
heni.com/talks/wen-zh...
Wen Zhengming’s Wintry Trees: Mourning and Reciprocity | HENI Talks
Craig Clunas confronts the mysteries of this 16th century Chinese hanging scroll.
heni.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
On 28 November 1559 #otd the Ming dynasty calligrapher and painter Wen Zhengming 文徵明 (1470-1559) died. Here's one of my favourites - which itself deals with themes of mourning - for the anniversary
heni.com/talks/wen-zh...
heni.com/talks/wen-zh...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Documenting another abandoned place around Taipei Basin and suddenly realized it's director Tsai Ming-liang's home! Read the full article for laksa hot takes (in Chinese): artouch.com/art-views/co...
金剛經帶在身上，不然鬼魂不肯跟我們走——與蔡明亮共遊的午茶時光＆秘境之旅 | 典藏ARTouch.com
「與蔡明亮共遊 午茶時光＆秘境之旅」，《家在蘭若寺》電影場景導覽活動，將以散步方式前往。總是讓電影永遠多一種可能導演蔡明亮，在午茶時光中分享了什麼對於食物有什麼關鍵的想法？新作《你的臉》在華山光點電影館上映，希望所有觀者，不要錯過這份溫暖的邀請。
artouch.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Documenting another abandoned place around Taipei Basin and suddenly realized it's director Tsai Ming-liang's home! Read the full article for laksa hot takes (in Chinese): artouch.com/art-views/co...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Laughing Buddha teapot and tea canister. Chelsea, England, c. 1745-1749. Museum of Fine Art, Boston.
November 28, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Laughing Buddha teapot and tea canister. Chelsea, England, c. 1745-1749. Museum of Fine Art, Boston.
Reposted by James A. Benn
A photograph of a Japanese American policeman at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption on back: "Japanese Policeman Nov 27, 1943 Yoshi Shumato Ht. Mt." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto.
🗃 #skystorians #OTD
🗃 #skystorians #OTD
November 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
A photograph of a Japanese American policeman at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption on back: "Japanese Policeman Nov 27, 1943 Yoshi Shumato Ht. Mt." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto.
🗃 #skystorians #OTD
🗃 #skystorians #OTD
Reposted by James A. Benn
To begin: there’s Aries, or the Ram—lecherous dog, he begets us; then, Taurus, or the Bull—he bumps us the first thing
November 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
To begin: there’s Aries, or the Ram—lecherous dog, he begets us; then, Taurus, or the Bull—he bumps us the first thing
Reposted by James A. Benn
Great interview by our beloved Travis View with Thomas Kelly, an academic who wrote an article debunking When Prophecy Fails - a classic in the field of New Religious Movements. I had heard there were problems with that book but I really did not know the half of it
soundcloud.com/qanonanonymo...
soundcloud.com/qanonanonymo...
When “When Prophecy Fails” Fails (E350)
The 1956 book When Prophecy Fails describes one of the most famous case studies in social psychology. The researchers Leon Festinger, Henry Riecken, and Stanley Schachter covertly joined a small, apoc
soundcloud.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Great interview by our beloved Travis View with Thomas Kelly, an academic who wrote an article debunking When Prophecy Fails - a classic in the field of New Religious Movements. I had heard there were problems with that book but I really did not know the half of it
soundcloud.com/qanonanonymo...
soundcloud.com/qanonanonymo...
Reposted by James A. Benn
A (Very Short) Queer History of China
The Lives of Ancient Chinese Queer People
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Reposted by James A. Benn
Some amazing insights from #DVCS #conference of #Sinology #Hamburg:
-Qing soldiers needed tokens to use the toilet. (Schneider/Pessl)
-In German schoolbooks, Confucianism is shown as a never-changing continuum. (Schmid)
-Kang Youwei himself described Qianlong's battle copperplates. (Moll-Murata)
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-Qing soldiers needed tokens to use the toilet. (Schneider/Pessl)
-In German schoolbooks, Confucianism is shown as a never-changing continuum. (Schmid)
-Kang Youwei himself described Qianlong's battle copperplates. (Moll-Murata)
/1
November 26, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Some amazing insights from #DVCS #conference of #Sinology #Hamburg:
-Qing soldiers needed tokens to use the toilet. (Schneider/Pessl)
-In German schoolbooks, Confucianism is shown as a never-changing continuum. (Schmid)
-Kang Youwei himself described Qianlong's battle copperplates. (Moll-Murata)
/1
-Qing soldiers needed tokens to use the toilet. (Schneider/Pessl)
-In German schoolbooks, Confucianism is shown as a never-changing continuum. (Schmid)
-Kang Youwei himself described Qianlong's battle copperplates. (Moll-Murata)
/1
Reposted by James A. Benn
A 1842 French sinology article cover with 4 CN characters 其事好还” with Latin trans: “Quod ore prodit ad os revertitur. Prov.”
written by Guillaume Pauthier, who was comparing his own Dao De Jing道德经 trans with Stanislas Julien.
It’s one episode in longrunning debate between the two over trans of DDJ.
written by Guillaume Pauthier, who was comparing his own Dao De Jing道德经 trans with Stanislas Julien.
It’s one episode in longrunning debate between the two over trans of DDJ.
November 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
A 1842 French sinology article cover with 4 CN characters 其事好还” with Latin trans: “Quod ore prodit ad os revertitur. Prov.”
written by Guillaume Pauthier, who was comparing his own Dao De Jing道德经 trans with Stanislas Julien.
It’s one episode in longrunning debate between the two over trans of DDJ.
written by Guillaume Pauthier, who was comparing his own Dao De Jing道德经 trans with Stanislas Julien.
It’s one episode in longrunning debate between the two over trans of DDJ.
Reposted by James A. Benn
And just like that, Guelph bike lanes will no longer be plowed.
An entire mode of transport has been made less accessible and more dangerous as cyclists will be forced to ride in the middle of the road with limited daylight.
#safestreets #cardependency #bikesky
An entire mode of transport has been made less accessible and more dangerous as cyclists will be forced to ride in the middle of the road with limited daylight.
#safestreets #cardependency #bikesky
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
And just like that, Guelph bike lanes will no longer be plowed.
An entire mode of transport has been made less accessible and more dangerous as cyclists will be forced to ride in the middle of the road with limited daylight.
#safestreets #cardependency #bikesky
An entire mode of transport has been made less accessible and more dangerous as cyclists will be forced to ride in the middle of the road with limited daylight.
#safestreets #cardependency #bikesky
Reposted by James A. Benn
« Ui, bonjour, prends ma monnaie »
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
« Ui, bonjour, prends ma monnaie »
Reposted by James A. Benn
🚨 journo job! 🚨
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
China Correspondent
Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers award-winning, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of journalists, c...
workwithus.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
🚨 journo job! 🚨
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Replace me! - after 13 years at the Guardian and six years on the incredible China team, including five in Taiwan, I’m leaving at the end of this year. I’ll get sentimental about it later but for now: Here’s the job ad. I recommend it!
workwithus.theguardian.com/job-search/e...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Pam Hogg, the Scottish fashion designer who created looks for stars including Rihanna and Kate Moss, has died. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Pam Hogg: Scottish fashion designer who created looks for Rihanna and Kate Moss dies
She was known for eccentric and outlandish designs, worn by stars like Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Pam Hogg, the Scottish fashion designer who created looks for stars including Rihanna and Kate Moss, has died. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Hey, you know what other sector what has been decimated by a hostile government's actions that has yet to be given a bailout?
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Hey, you know what other sector what has been decimated by a hostile government's actions that has yet to be given a bailout?
Reposted by James A. Benn
Sitting on the south bank of the river Loire, construction finished at the Château de Chanteloup in 1778 on an imposing new edifice, a seven-story Chinese-style pagoda.
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Sitting on the south bank of the river Loire, construction finished at the Château de Chanteloup in 1778 on an imposing new edifice, a seven-story Chinese-style pagoda.
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
Built by a once-exiled French army officer, the pagoda at Chanteloup remains one of the few remnants of the palace.🧵
🗃️ 📜 #France
Reposted by James A. Benn
[November 26th, 1945] The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to President Truman
Historical Documents - Office of the Historian
history.state.gov 3.0 shell
history.state.gov
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
[November 26th, 1945] The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to President Truman
Reposted by James A. Benn
📣Hurry! You only have until 6 December to visit the #CuriousCures exhibition at Cambridge University Library.
🔗Book your FREE tickets now: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
🔎 Vein Man and Zodiac Man, from a leaf of medieval folding almanac. MS Add.3303(3)
🔗Book your FREE tickets now: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
🔎 Vein Man and Zodiac Man, from a leaf of medieval folding almanac. MS Add.3303(3)
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
📣Hurry! You only have until 6 December to visit the #CuriousCures exhibition at Cambridge University Library.
🔗Book your FREE tickets now: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
🔎 Vein Man and Zodiac Man, from a leaf of medieval folding almanac. MS Add.3303(3)
🔗Book your FREE tickets now: https://loom.ly/kVqsPRY
🔎 Vein Man and Zodiac Man, from a leaf of medieval folding almanac. MS Add.3303(3)
Reposted by James A. Benn
There are 3 types of people in the world. Those who marvel at the beauty of a ginkgo tree in autumn, those who in seeing a ginkgo tree are reminded of Bo Xilai’s crazy obsession with them, and those who can hold both of those thoughts in their head at the same time.
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
There are 3 types of people in the world. Those who marvel at the beauty of a ginkgo tree in autumn, those who in seeing a ginkgo tree are reminded of Bo Xilai’s crazy obsession with them, and those who can hold both of those thoughts in their head at the same time.
Reposted by James A. Benn
Japan's version of the moon rabbit tale is a perfect example of self-sacrifice. Originating from a Sanskrit tale, it tells of a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit who found an exhausted old man collapsed in the mountains. The monkey gathered fruit and nuts, and the fox brought fish...
#WyrdWednesday
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#WyrdWednesday
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November 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Japan's version of the moon rabbit tale is a perfect example of self-sacrifice. Originating from a Sanskrit tale, it tells of a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit who found an exhausted old man collapsed in the mountains. The monkey gathered fruit and nuts, and the fox brought fish...
#WyrdWednesday
1/3
#WyrdWednesday
1/3
Reposted by James A. Benn
Reposted by James A. Benn
A special home state/alma mater book talk at the University of Michigan next week.... I'll present "The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping" on December 2 at noon
ii.umich.edu/ii/news-even...
ii.umich.edu/ii/news-even...
Events | U-M LSA International Institute
ii.umich.edu
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
A special home state/alma mater book talk at the University of Michigan next week.... I'll present "The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping" on December 2 at noon
ii.umich.edu/ii/news-even...
ii.umich.edu/ii/news-even...
Reposted by James A. Benn
Worn #onthisday in 1937 by actress Jill Esmond, trying on her "principal boy" costume for "Beauty and the Beast"--a Christmas pantomine staged by the Lyceum Theatre--at Will Clarkson's wig and costume studio in London. It was the first time she had ever worn tights. #OTD @europeana.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Worn #onthisday in 1937 by actress Jill Esmond, trying on her "principal boy" costume for "Beauty and the Beast"--a Christmas pantomine staged by the Lyceum Theatre--at Will Clarkson's wig and costume studio in London. It was the first time she had ever worn tights. #OTD @europeana.bsky.social
Reposted by James A. Benn
A large Chinese junk style rudder, photographed c.1920 - large rudders like this - up to 120ft - were developed long before western style rudders came into widespread use.
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A large Chinese junk style rudder, photographed c.1920 - large rudders like this - up to 120ft - were developed long before western style rudders came into widespread use.
Reposted by James A. Benn
Senior permanent position has opened up in Chinese studies here at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It is a very nice place. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPN980/rea...
Reader or Professor in Chinese Studies - AC2219 at University of St Andrews
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Senior permanent position has opened up in Chinese studies here at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. It is a very nice place. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPN980/rea...