《簡介》

吞雲吐霧

中國人與鴉片的巧遇鴉片的議題在上世紀成爲世界重大的歷史事件，特別是亞洲。同時，也改變了中國的命運，身爲亞洲人不能不知鴉片的歷史。鴉片輸入到中國，溶入生活與工藝，展現出中國人高度的藝術境界。罌粟的種植、采收、加工；鴉片的行銷、戒烟與禁烟，成爲兩世紀來中國人的生活長廊。作者投入一生的搜集、典藏、研究，撰著出此一空前的巨著，揭露了鴉片神秘之謎。

不同于大多書關于鴉片的著作, 多半停留于鴉片戰爭與鴉片周邊用品的層次, 本書作者K. Flow以英文撰寫, 涵蓋了讀者對于鴉片較爲不熟稔的部分, 尤其針對于鴉片對于當時對于中國社會、文化、宗教、秘密社會、經濟等衝擊有著詳盡完整的描述, 全書超過8000幅各類珍貴一手未曾露面的史料, 可說是鴉片論述的經典之著。

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The smoking of opium was a very large subject in the past centuries both in international context and for the Chinese as a nation. This work does not focus on the purely political role opium played, but indicates the impact on daily life and the genesis of a narcotic culture which soon evolved. There was an almost hypnotic, irresistible attraction which the exotic fragrance of smoking this narcotic yet benevolent substance had over large parts of the Chinese population both in China and abroad. The general healing and life-enhancing properties of opium combined with the leisurely ritual using the beautiful, symbol-adorned smoking paraphernalia. Only toward the mid-twentieth century did the smoking of opium finally fade away - under strong political pressure, but also giving way to a faster, less leisurely lifestyle seeking quick hard experience. During almost three centuries – from smoking tobacco with opium to the final sublimely refined mode of smoking pure opium in a peculiar, Chinese-designed pipe, the transformation from medicine to anti-malarial fumes to a “heavenly fragrance” widening perceptions of existence, opium smoking captivated a huge number of people. It initiated capital accumulation to start new ways of economic development, it aided countless artists (singers, actors, artisans) to perform their skills, it improved memory and alertness to pass examinations, it supported the poor to withstand back-breaking work. The list of opium’s benefit is long and it touched all strata of society. The arts and craft displayed are now rare witness to the enormous fascination. Opium smoking held over many millions of people for such a long period. The book serves as a visual guide to the material culture of opium smoking as well as the underlying fabrics of its integration into Chinese daily life.