The stool, the chair, all always call a China's tradition to sit.But, at most thou of time, the our country still have no the furniture of these"hang foot but sit".This is at process a history development after, gradual just formation of.At more the ages in thou, the our country the ancients all use a seat, be also usually say of"seat on the floor".For example, we are familiar to arrive 《the Confucius speak to learn diagram 》, the Confucius would be to sit to prelect on a Zhang Ai3 Chuang2, surroundings of 72 pupils sit to attend lecture on a few matting.At this time matting, would be people at the earliest stage of sit.

　　And seat in the meantime or appeared to call a furniture of do"bed" soon afterward.Ancient times, bed not and particularly beddings, but big department conduct and actions sit usage.There has been in the Shang Dynasty oracle-bone scripture the resemble the shape word of "bed".Han dynasty carefully call bed as "find shelter of several sit also" in 《 say the text 》 , explicit say that is to sit.Jot down bed in the historical records a lot of, there is various bed of each kind, myriad shapes.For example, 《war national policies 》say a war country four a Meng of the childes to taste a gentleman to go on a tour Chu's country, once to the "ivory bed" of Chu Wang2 Xian4.A novel book in Han dynasty 《the west city be miscellaneous to record 》jot down the Han a "seven treasure beds"s in Wu3 Di4 You3.Return to have a kind of be called "Kuang bed" of.Call again"sit alone", obvious is a sit of single.It is said company Yang once persuaded a gentleman Wang2 Yao4 imperturbably "place Kuang bed on but the world cure" and would be this kind of representative of sit of a certain authority.From seat to bed sit already gradual Gao.The bed must have a support to start to support.At river south letter sun long pedestal pass detection of war country of one wood bed of Zhang Cai3 Qi , it the form system then have six small bed leg.The river north hope all Han last home mural up the painting of the single small bed, there is also four small foot.Han dynasty after, again the rise be a kind of"beard bed", shape more it Gao, can be treated as Gao Zu2 Zuo4 at that time.Elfevident, "beard bed" be original to stream into from the north national minority, actually is what appearance?Jot down according to the Sung Dynasty person, this be in a moment sit of a kind of"hand over foot", "bandage", "turn Suo, heavy not several", someone research to think to look like today of"Ma3 Zha2 Er2".Positive because of light convenience, is often take out outing trip by the nobilities.It is rumored, the Tang clear Huang go out to travel over and then take this.Mountain climbing weariness from overwork, right on the spot open lull, the United States it be named "free and unfettered".《Art and literature gather 》jot down to say, the Cao held to once sit this kind of furniture as well.Once he fight with west cool great commander Ma3 Chao, drive Ma3 Chao raid, the Cao hold to seem to be very calmly, Ma3 Chao Jun rush through come, he"still, sit a beard bed not".Jot down to see from this 2, so-called"beard bed", the bed type of the solid non- future generations beddings, but a kind of have a leg of simple sit, is doubtless.This kind of sit to spread from the east Han last years of the period into Central plains.

　　From"beard bed" after, the our country sit trend more and more toward Gao Zu2 development.Jin dynasty of the thou start appear the name of "stool" in the book.The inside of Tang Dynasty mural of Dunhuang, people can see a variety the stool of the shape and have square Deng, long Deng, circular Deng and oval Deng etc.Zhao Tang painting 《Wan women's diagram 》medium the waist circular draw stool, would be it a.

　　 Tang dynasty after, again gradual emergence make people sit more comfort of chair.Ming Dynasty Zhao the scholar square once researched in 《 the friendship 》 one book by Zhi, future generations go through of the table, chair all is a tang dynasty last years of the period later rise of."Chair" Jie "lean on" a sound, the idea namely sit have to depend on.We can see five a Zhao in south Tang scholar, prime minister, Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4, sit from another painting 《 Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4 the night the Yan diagram 》 at Gao the scene of the chair with back.Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4 is to cross legs to sit at that pair of chair up, together painting medium another two officials all already"hang foot but sit".

　　Arrived Sung generation, the shape of chair was several day by day, have already depended chair with back, armchair, turn chair and hand over chair etc., there are more than one.Afterwards appearing "too teacher chair" again, iting is said is afterwardsthe Sung Dynasty trillion Yin(superior in the capital city) in a city to just for be dynasty prime minister design of, later too the teacher chair is then spread in a life time.From the seat ground arrive hang foot but sit, sit from have no foot arrive low foot arrive Gao Zu2, is our country furniture history of a kind of development trend, elucidation the mankind always stress day by day on the life comfortable and practical.Currently, vogue again prosperous interest every kind of sofa and combination furniture, certainly more enter 1 F.In the living quarters furniture, everyone like a chair most .

　　In the world a when is the chair to be come out by the creation?This problem may be like an erection person appear in the world when one hard drive accurate research.Have for 5,000 years, China of the civilization history, until Sung generation just appear a real chair.Sung past of China the ancients seat on the floor, chair shape of Sung generation can see in Sung generation the thou the painting, now ability see of the most ancient chair real object, probably only have dollar generation.

　　Ever since that time had independence of chair effect, should say culture then beginning real chair design and shape.Up to the present, the chair cultural in China's few Ming Dynasty's achievement be the tallest.The structure design of Ming Dynasty furniture and manufacturing the craft be rated as reach the peak.Its shape generous boldness of vision, the structure be careful grace, creation excellent and fashionable, usage comfort match a body, is a function and art of unique the United States combine, the clear type chair became China is to world chair culture of model.

　　The pure soldier go into a pass and the cultural topic of clear type chair at that time wasn't interrupt.Manchu dynasty's openning the beginning of dollar is an all astute saint lord, also all take orders Chinese's culture.Have no which Manchu dynasty Emperor issue imperial edict to say a chair to have to press custom and cultural creation of full clan, pour is Manchu dynasty Hahn people afterwards active terminated Ming Dynasty chair culture, start devote one's mind a chair esthetics of one the topic ―― pattern carving decorate.Is exactly this to make chair culture development mistake go into stray road.The one pursued pattern to decorate break chair art the whole of the shape, but excessive of decorate make the chair in Manchu dynasty is excessively bulky and swollen.Arrive to settle a later period, decline because of the national strength, even the chair also all worked carelessly.

　　Republic period big and parts of person usage of still Manchu dynasty chair.Republic period very short, plus a situation turmoil, republic people thought clear oneself of chair how should creation.For all that, through night pure E Xu political reform, Xin Hai4's revolution, ocean duty sport etc., still appeared a batch be subjected to west ocean culture influence of, not west not medium of the chair of republic style.It show a Zhao characteristics most is stress practical, the dimensions of chair take comfort as standard, the style of chair have already thoroughly broken the grade of feudalism rite of cent.The republic chair became to collect of no value pronoun.

　　New China after establish, because of conjunction continuously of political sport, chair of any the United States all just make subtraction.Arrived a Cultural Revolution, the culture of chair had already reduce zero, leave function and material.But everyone of life drive look like religion of politics crazy hot rule, people root impossible go to consideration appreciate beauty of chair problem.This period chair doesn't be to can hardly see, but the thing which was able to see at all.Go to this, the culture of chair be not interrupt by another culture, isn't gradual crack-up, but drive political strong line close.

　　Like a symphony, the destiny of chair after the dead ash is similar silent face come strong breeze shower.20 century 90's, the history beginning of the chair cultural be quietly launched by people.The chair contain culture value to re- get a value and finally had oneself of marriage.The chair of tradition classic a part is been procure with heavy gold by the collector, another a part drive repair Be the performance that the culture loose a rhyme, walk go into the modern house reside.The in the style of antique breeze of chair is widely accepted afresh, more of usher in from the west of, the style pile up one after another of modern chair.West of the chair take into west life new of culture.Walk into furniture market, the numerous chair style be confusing confused.21 century Chinese beginning afresh establishment oneself the chair culture in modern era, but this be just beginning.

　　What is the chair ?Use to sit, a cake of front-panel add four leg, and depend to carry on the back arm-rest.Just because of person of society the cultural factor get involved and just had a way not over of story.At the history in front, the destiny of chair be always passive.What to say is a chair, in fact I be original meaning is way of is a culture.All product is like a chair and just carry a body on the culture.But carry body this property, only just can be clear in the history change it is thus clear that.But only the understanding product is on the culture of carry a body, just have exactitude, clear of thought view.

A, the China's tradition sit a gift
　　
　　Sit a gift is a rite of the importance constitute part, but sit the posture of gift from sit direct decision of.Arrive tang dynasty a middle at least, chair not just our country main of sit.
Our country tradition of sit a gift to have 4 kinds:1, the Ji sit, be also kneel to sit, two knees wear ground, two instep with a downward exposure, the hip fall on the heel, with kneel likeness, but dissimilarity of place also very obvious:The hip must leave heel while kneel.(pay respects to diagram a, Han Dynasty Ji sit Yong)2, the Fu sit and the double foot hand over Die and sit with the legs crossed.3, Ji Ju, the hip stick ground and two legs open and place levelly but keep stretch.4, take Ju, the sole wear ground, two knees shoot high up, the hip get down but don't stick ground, in fact be squat down.
　　
　　Ji's sit is to sit upright and is meet a guest and drink Yan, argument matter perhaps is formal with elder, confabulation...etc. under the situation, have to sit upright, otherwise be disrespectful.Oneself daily life at home, sit the gift can literally some, how sit all can, certainly some people to oneself request strict, ignore when and all want to sit upright.Ancient times, sit a gift disrespectful is will let the person sneer at, the original Rang Ju sit to wait for Confucius(Ji Ju or squat down), is then used walking stick dozen calf by the Confucius and condemn for"young but not Sun Di4, long but say how, old and deathless, is is thief."Six Gus receive the Han Gao Zu3's life to go abroad as ambassador south more, south more Wang2 Zhao4 Tuo2(river north true settle person) while meet the situation of six Gus, incredibly Ji Ju but sit, six Gu directly come out, Zhao4 Tuo2 be very embarrassed, sit upright right away, and say:"Reside pretty Yi in long, extremely disrespectful righteousness."It is thus clear that tradition of sit a gift is a China civilization of one of the marking.Tradition of sit a gift still influence periphery nation, up to now Japan, Korea still reserve our country tradition of sit a gift.
　　
Two, China sit of turn into
　　
　　1, Yan and seat
　　
　　Primitive society, for separating tide to defend cool, people spread on the ground with the skin, leaf...etc., since can lie, can also sit, this direct evolve into China ancient times society at the earliest stage of sit:Yan and seat.The Yan is to use a bamboo plait, but the seat is to use Pu grass a plait, spread on the ground, can sit can lie.East Han Zheng4 Xuan2 Zhu4 《week gift 》hour explanation say"Yan as well the seat also spread Chen2 Yue Yan2, the Yue seat of book, the Yan spread in bottom, the seat spread in up, so is also."The ancients sit on the banquet to go forward a food, afterwards, the feast be called banquet.Until modern Chinese language, also reserve these a thou old sit of print to record, for example"chief", "attendance" etc..
　　
　　2, bed and Ta
　　
　　Bed, with today of the bed have dissimilarity, 《say a text 》medium say "bed, find shelter it sit", 《the southeast of the peacock fly 》medium have the sentence of "bride beginning come, the husband's younger sister start to hand a bed", it is thus clear that, ancient times of the bed not only provide sleep it use, be still that 1 kind sit.That time popular the carving big bed, three sides round a screen, people at top can sleep can sit, return can place a case on bedside or bed several have a meal, read by provide a book it use, with afterwards of soil Kang function some similar.Ta, the bigger than carving bed be small of many, easy to move, since Han dynasty popular.Similar to bed, Ta since can the sleep can also act as to sit, 《Three Kingdoms ambition.Wu2 Shu 》medium have jot down of"many guest back, Su as well Ci, is only lead Su to return, match Ta to drink together", here is say Sun Quan2 and Lu Su to sit at a Zhang Ta4 Shang4 alcohol, not lie to drink at a Zhang Ta4 Shang4.
　　
　　3, the emergence of the beard bed
　　
　　The emergence of the beard bed, make China again appear a kind of new of sitting posture:The beard sit.The so-called beard sit be place a hip at the eminence, but double foot pendency.Beard bed, call to hand over a bed, rope bed again, constitute to°from eight wood rod, sit the noodles as palm tree rope coupling, can fold, open can make, starting to match can lift and can hang, usage convenience.From the beard bed can the convenience take of the characteristics be not difficult to see, the beard bed should come from to usually change residence of horde, so beard bed should from the horde spread to originally of.《The empress Han book.Five lines of ambition a 》medium say:"The Han work properly an emperor good the beard, beard debt, beard bed, beard sit, beard rice ……, expensive Qi in Kyoto all unexpectedly is it."It is thus clear that, at least in the east Han year, the our country have already had a beard bed.Today can see of at the earliest stage of the image of beard bed is north together 《book diagram in the school 》medium of beard bed, what this painting description be a 556 A.D. and the young scholar Fan be lousy to sit situation in the beard bed colonel book.(see diagram two, north together 《book diagram in the school 》)The historical records Zhong-Hu that is later on bed this phrase again and again appear, it is thus clear that beard bed of application more and more extensive.
　　
　　But we should see, beard bed not just chair, beard bed didn't depend to carry on the back also have no arm-rest, pour is with modern of Ma3 Zha2 very similar.And see from the historical records, beard bed big part application at the outdoor ctivity, for example line, hunt, play, march etc., although also have application indoors, still seldom seen.So, beard bed didn't ability to China tradition sit a gift to carry on root falter, however is not in office or go out take of sit just.
　　
　　4, the emergence of the chair
　　
　　The basis of someone 《new Tang's book.Li3 Bi4 Zhuan4》:"The Bi taste to take loose 樛 with concealed carry on the back, Yue' keep with', empress get such as dragon form, because of with dedicate an emperor, everywhere contend for an effect it" jot down and 《positive word 》concerning"keep with, now it depend carry on the back also" of explanation, predict tang dynasty Li3 Bi4 invention or improvement chair, this kind of standpoint is mistake of.And don't say 《positive word 》become a book at Ming Dynasty last years of the period, actually, so-called keep with however BE"scart to carry on the back to climb" be also now call grasp of"old man joy" Nao carry Yang on grasp of"old man joy" Nao's back of thing.So, does the chair actually when appear?
　　
　　North Su Shi of Sung middle once discussed to sit a gift in 《 privately try the plan ask 8 》 of variety:"The thou sit at the seat, past the superiority of the length, 簠 Gui of Bian bean, proper and person all."It is thus clear that, people in that time have already given up to kneel to sit;South Sung of in his 《 kneel sit do obeisance say 》 , Zhu Xi Ze2 sit opposite a gift from ancient times arrive south Sung of variety carry on some kind of discuss, and say:"The ancients sit, two knee wear ground because of anti- it but sit in it up, positive the beard kneeler of now."But he have no fashionable sit a property variety of reason, just say:"Also don't know it from when but change, now then the person have already also fail to notice."Can see from here, latest go to south Sung, people have already thoroughly given up to kneel to sit, even all not know "when but change".Pass two above-mentioned example, the elucidation sit a gift of the variety should be a matter of Sung generation past.
　　
　　Chair, first is tree, 《say a text 》medium say "chair, Zi also", is 1 kind to shed leaves tall tree.Chair first is called to lean on son, this phrase appear in the tang dynasty Zhen the dollar 13 years(797 A.D.) of 《 the benefit the ditch altar fiesta machine stone tablet in temple the North Sea 》 at the earliest stage, there is jot down of"rope bed ten, inside four lean on son" in the stone tablet Yin.1955 have one person the image which sit upright on the chair in Xian scoop out of Tang the Xuan the religion the hour the Gao the last home room mural of the muscle man last home of elder brother, Gao Yuan2, (king+Gui), should time of build up of last home be a tang dynasty day the treasure be 15 years(756 year).It is thus clear that, at tang dynasty middle, the our country have already had a chair.
　　
　　Attend to the person painting in the Hong from five painter 《Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4 night Yan diagram 》up, our detection a geezer phenomenon:In the diagram, the many people have already started sit on the chair, but also someone Ju sit at tradition of the carving big bed up, the posture which sit on the chair also don't exert homology, someone double foot pendency, someone's dish write the leg sit.It is thus clear that, most night in 5, chair already popular, but at under the pound at of chair, tradition of sit a gift to be subjected to huge break, but new of sit a gift didn't°yet formation, show of some confusion.(See diagram three, 《Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4 night Yan diagram 》)
　　
　　Go to this, we probably can put into some kind of order for chair at the history of China:Most night at tang dynasty middle, have already appeared a chair;Most night at 5 ten country, chair already popular, but didn't°yet thoroughly change Chinese of sit a gift;North Sung, chair already very universality, Chinese already thoroughly change sit a gift;South Sung, chair at China of position already deeply rooted, Chinese have already forgotten tradition of sit a gift, with go to Zhu Xi after the discussion finish sit a gift variety, regrets"also don't know it from when but change, now then the person have already also fail to notice.
　　
Three, how is the chair to appear in China
　　
　　Chair how appear in China of, have the following three kinds of possibility:
　　
　　1, from beard bed development since then
　　
　　Front once say, beard bed of emergence a time change Chinese of sitting posture, appeared a beard to sit of phenomenon.Sit on the posture on the beard bed with sit on the posture on the chair basic homology, difference have never depend to carry on the back in the beard bed.In Sung generation Yi the painting Sung 《 the Jiao Yin hit ball with racket the diagram 》 , we see hand over of Sung generation chair and is called too teacher chair, the structure be two legs to in front and back hand over again, hand over a crunode to do stalk, top the horizontal beam wear a rope generation, can equivalence, install on depend carry on the back, it is thus clear that, hand over the chair be an install depend carry on the back of beard bed perhaps install depend carry on the back of Ma3 Zha2 , from medium not difficult see a beard bed with hand over chair of near concern.(see diagram four, Sung painting 《the Jiao Yin hit ball with racket diagram 》medium of hand over chair)But, handing over chair to return can't be a chair direct from the beard bed development since then of proof, after all hand over chair to just appear in Sung generation, but tang dynasty middle our country appeared a chair, 《Han2 Xi Zai3 Xiang4 night Yan diagram 》top of the chair be that kind of standard of four leg chair, don't be to hand over chair at all.
　　
　　797 year of 《benefit ditch altar fiesta machine stone tablet in temple the North Sea 》medium jot down of"rope bed ten, inside four lean on son", can Be also certificate, ten Zhang Hu2 Chuang2, have 4 among them is a chair, probably at that time plus to the beard bed depend carry on the back and then be called a chair.Moreover, Li3 Bai2 of 《cursive song line 》have:The sentence of "my teacher in a moment sweep a whole amount 1000 piece according to the beard bed after inebriate", "depend on beard bed" do what explanation?Being not is can explanation become to depend on on the beard bed?Be also the beard bed which say Li3 Bai2's ages to have already alreadied appear to depend to carry on the back?Certainly, "depend on a beard bed" still have a variety explanation, and can't now cover coffin hard conclusion.
　　
　　2, is stream into by Europe
　　
　　See from furniture history in the world, thou Egypt be in the world at the earliest stage usage chair of place, afterwards chair from Egypt spread to Greece, again spread to Rome from the Greece, end spread to east Rome empire of capital city gentleman private Tan D fortress.So does the chair of China have something to do with the chair of Europe to fasten?
　　
　　Although tang dynasty outward contact extensive, China be apart from Europe faraway, in the center still have huge of Arabia the empire bar, tang dynasty and Europe had direct contact, unless want to pull top point son direct contact, that be the Nestorianism at China of dissemination.The Nestorianism is 1 of Christianity and rise in a gentleman a private Tan D fortress for five century.The Nestorianism lay claim to Christ of absolute being, person both sexes theory, so is scold for the heresy, the follower of a religion be compelled to east change residence.At Tang too Zong Zhen Guan nine year(635 A.D.), 21 missionary of Nestorianism arrive Chang-an, through too religion approval, start translate through preach, so probably these Europe come of missionary at China life not habit China of sit a gift, but the chair of the home town manufacturing come out.
　　
　　Certainly, this just calculate, there is also no conviction.Nestorianism's history in China, have never been see in our country any historical records, just at 1623 big Qin2 Si4 sprout of"big Qin Nestorianism popular stone tablet in China" top just detection its record of events, 1907, in the stone house of Dunhuang detection the ancient works of Nestorianism.It is thus clear that, Nestorianism at tang dynasty have no influence, also have no extensive dissemination, in the stone tablet the sentence of "temple full 100 citieses" as well have exaggerative of suspicion, otherwise will not all can not find the shadow of Nestorianism in any historical records, so, have no influential Nestorianism to think change China tradition sit of several thousand years the gift is to have difficulty.Besides, Nestorianism is like this influence that is big, that why stream into of only have chair but have no at that time Europe very popular of sofa?
　　
　　3, is stream into by the Buddhism
　　
　　Can affirmation of is that there is already chair in thou India, and in India in thou only identity imposing talented person ability sit a chair.Back the one step speak, the individual monk of high renown social status is lofty, can also sit a chair, but the chair speak to the monk have no too big of function, because the monk want to meditate.See from the sitting posture, meditate with our country tradition of the Fu sit(double the foot hand over to fold) about, so, the chair consumedly weakenned to the function of the monks, India of the monk meditate on the chair or the rope bed(continuation discuss), our country of the monk then sit on the ground or bed top meditate, up to now also fresh meditate on the chair of, it is thus clear that India of chair not to our country the monk have what influence.
　　
　　The rope bed is a Buddhism classic to usually speak of of a kind of collapsible sit, the monk of ancient times usually usage.The righteousness was clean to once describe the structure of rope bed to say:"The west monk is many food it, have to the everyone be clean to wash hands foot, each separate Ju small bed.Gao can 7 inch, the square be 1 Chinese foot.The rattan rope knit inside, feet circle and light."It is thus clear that, rope bed and beard bed about, but have scholar to point out a rope bed to be a chair, jot down according to the existing historical data, can hardly see a rope bed be a chair, a lot of also however is a scholar to personally predict with guess.Moreover, the chair be the symbol of authority in India in ancient times, the talented person of the only pregnant ability sit a chair, but Hsuan Tsang once said in 《 big Tang Western Regions record 》 India of monk"as for sit, salty use a rope bed."It is thus clear that, the rope bed be very widespread in the monastery of India, should isn't a chair.
　　
　　After Buddhism stream into China, various statue of Buddha, Fo painting then beginning popular, a lot of foot pendency of sitting posture nature arrestive, so the Fo Zu sit of exactly is a chair?From the existing statue of Buddha, Fo painting to see, can hardly explain those sit behind exactly is depend carry on the back still screen as well or religion decorate, include is say by the many people to be a chair of west Wei Dunhuang the mural of 285 holes.(see diagram five, west Wei Dunhuang 285 hole-practice of Buddhism)As for ancient times the people see Fo Zu a double foot pendency of sitting posture but is inspired manufacturing chair of parlance, also some error, after all that time Chinese already on the beard bed try new of sitting posture, the sitting posture of Fo Zu be not fresh.
　　
　　4, total see, our country of chair still should from the beard bed development since then of, after all the beard bed sit long the back be stiff, naturally would someone thought of to add to the beard bed again depend carry on the back.Certainly, these also have no direct of the proof be also a Zhuo Er oneself of analysis, return treat new of study of ancient relics detection certificate.
　　
　　Four, the chair influence China civilization
　　
　　The chair is popular later to our country of pound at is obvious:1, influence rite.Chair first pound at of is gift in sit of China, fore the noodles have already much had discuss and not much say here.But the variety sat a gift, again direct cause many social convention of change.2, influence style in the house inner part.Sit of tradition gift request room of in the center as far as possible want open and spacious, Be people to seat on the floor it use.After chair appear, people not demand for seat on the floor to reserve too big of space, the amount of furniture also therefore increment get up, house inner part of style occurrence bigger change.3, influence furniture.In the chair before appear, people's sitting posture be very low to go to an our country of the furniture be widespread and short and small;After chair appear, people's sitting posture obviously went up not a few, naturally some Gao Zu2's furniture continuously beginning popular, the table also emerge with the tide of the times, gradual become our country having a meal, reading of most the furniture of the book.But the emergence of Gao Zu2's furniture, caused tea vessel, bowl a disc etc. home articles again of a series of change.4, drink together a food custom of influence.Before chair appear, several because of sitting posture, case low and short, people can hardly round to sit on 1 table to have a meal, particularly on some party, general all is cent meal system, one human face an ex- small case be several.After chair and Gao Zu2's table appear, the people gradual beginning round to sit to have a meal by the side of a table, until 8 appear and have a meal on a table have already become custom, cent meal system also adjust of become and match meal system.