The System of operating two markets (i.e., the East and West) in Changan of the Sui and Tang dynasties continued the tradition of putting limits on time and space ever since the Qin and Han dynasties. However, as the urban structure of the Sui-Tang ...
The System of operating two markets (i.e., the East and West) in Changan of the Sui and Tang dynasties continued the tradition of putting limits on time and space ever since the Qin and Han dynasties. However, as the urban structure of the Sui-Tang period differed fundamentally from that of the Qin-Han, the market system was different as well. Outwardly, the markets were surrounded by high and wide walls, and the control of the opening hours had become rather rigid. Therefore, it would seem that the markets" closedness vis-a-vis the outside had become more stringent. Nevertheless, there were not many restrictions within the markets. A market drew more people than any other place in the city did. It naturally was an arena of commercial transactions, but it also doubled as a sphere of cultural exchange since people of various classes and ethnic origins gathered there. Especially the West Market was noteworthy in that regard.
This paper originally focused on the question whether the East Market and the West Market were conceived for different functional purposes when they were first founded. Although it is impossible to fully explain differences in their original purposes due to the lack of sources, one may find a clue for explanation by looking at the number and social backgrounds of trade organizations respectively based in the East and West Markets. In addition, the original names for the markets during the Sui period suggest that the West Market was for ordinary people and the East for those of higher status.
The Sui and Tang states were world empires, which attracted many people of the world to Changan. There were many places of interaction among variegated peoples such as the Chinese and barbarians, but it was the markets where cultural exchange occurred most frequently. The place where the most intense interaction took place was the West Market that was for ordinary people. Therefore, the last section of this paper is devoted to the observation of the actual cultural exchange that centered on the West Market. One can sense the degree of cultural intermingling between the Chinese and barbarians from a tell-tale saying that describes the appearance of the subjects of the early Tang dynasty: "The Chinese wear barbarians hats and the barbarians wear Chinese hats."