The paper focuses on the Taoist concept of “dreams”, which is considered from the point of view of the meditative practice of “realized dreams” or “controlled visions”. Famous Taoist masters Chen Tuan (10^th cent.), Ma Danyang (12^th cent.), Bai Yuchan (12^th cent.) and many others implemented techniques of “controlled dreams” as a type of meditative alchemical practice: erasing the frontier between sleep and reality, long periods of vigil in a state of “almost sleep” lead to deactualization of the own “ego”. Deliverance from the conventions of the “dream world” leads to the beginning of the mystical transformations inside the body, and the practitioner passes through several stages: to set up breathing, calm consciousness, the beginning of the “copulation” inside the body of two agents (analogs of alchemical lead and mercury), concluding with the formation of a “miracle remedy”. With the control of the spirit-shen, overnight visions were the continuation of the Taoist self-control during the day, while due to various psychosomatic methods, dreams and reality were perceived as a single indistinguishable continuum, and various “lustful desires” were expelled from consciousness. In this regard, the popular idea of a “dream” in Taoist practice, just as a philosophical and aesthetic category, seemed to be too one-sided. The technique of “controlled dreams” did not exist in separation from the general alchemical practice and was rather an additional than the central part of it. Dreams themselves, in other words, the uncontrolled immersion of a person into the world of images and traces of consciousness, at that moment turned into his opposite – a similar, but not identical – in the colossal work of the spirit for the complete transformation into an “immortal”.

The article provides an overview of the main stages and trends in the development of the incense culture of China from antiquity to the present day. It covers religious and magical rituals, sanitary and hygiene, traditional medicine, a set of spiritual, healing, artistic, and game practices and rituals of Taoist-Buddhist and Confucian character. In China, over several millennia, a colossal experience has been accumulated in terms of the use of aromatic raw materials of plant, mineral and animal origin: thousands of treatises and reference books have been written, the properties of individual incense and their combinations have been studied, detailed classifications have been drawn up and principles of religious cults and ritual practices have been developed. Along with the applied value of incense, an aesthetic attitude toward incense aromas also developed, which repeatedly ensured periods of rapid flourishing of incense culture in antiquity, the Middle Ages and on the cusp of the New Age. Currently, the traditional aromatic culture in China is experiencing a period of upsurge and revival. This provides ample opportunities for its study in various fields of knowledge, which indicates the relevance and multidimensional nature of the study of this topic.

Based on academic achievements of, primarily, Chinese and Vietnamese researchers including materials recorded in the form of writings, reports, diaries, and letters sent to Europe by Western missionaries operating in China and Vietnam in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and at the same time combining the application of two main research methods of Science and History (historical method and logical method) with other research methods (systematization, analysis, synthesis, statistics, etc.) and especially the comparative method, this article aims to clarify two points of focus. The first is the open attitude of Chinese and Vietnamese rulers in accepting Western medical achievements and the positive, respectful, and admiring views of some missionaries towards different aspects of traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine. The second is the contradiction in some Western missionaries' perception and actions when they criticized the superstition in the way of disease diagnosis and treatment of the Vietnamese and Chinese, especially the Taoist priests, however they committed to such approaches in the process of examining and treating indigenous people. The study of some of the phenomena that arose during the connections made between Western medicine and traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine in the 17^th and 18^th centuries as mentioned above would make a certain contribution to the study of the history of the East-West cultural exchange in China and Vietnam in general, as well as the medical history in the two countries, in particular during this period.

The article introduces the history of the formation of the Japanese collection in the National Library of Russia. Materials in Japanese are available in various departments of the library; the article focuses on the largest collection of materials in Japanese, namely the Japanese collection of the Department of Asian and African Countries Literature (DAAСL). An attempt is made to briefly present two topics: firstly, the history of the Japanese collection and the department, and secondly, the history and sources of the acquisition and formation of the Japanese fund. Therefore, the article is divided into two sections. In both sections, the history of the DAAСL and the topic of international book exchange in the library are closely interconnected with the main topic of the article, the formation of the Japanese collection. The author also emphasizes the difficulties, negative factors and challenges faced by the fund and the library, not to underestimate the role of the Japanese collection of NLR, but to show what solutions were found throughout its history.

The aim of this paper is to define the institutional difference between the aristocratic lineage ruling the service fief of the Western Zhou era and the royal dynasty, reigning over the independent state of the Eastern Zhou era. Different approaches to the genesis of the Qin State are discussed in this paper: the archaeological approach and the “Zhou fiefdom” approach. The first one lacks data directly describing the political process. The problem of the second one is its being based practically on one written source that postdates the events described by 500 years. Therefore, to escape the failures of these methods, the author developed a specific approach that would both deal with political and institutional data on the one side while using data from different sources contemporary to the events in question. Data explicated from Bu Qi gui, Qin gong zhong and Guo ji zi Bai pan – three inscriptions on the bronze vessels dating between IX and VII centuries BC was scrutinized and compared. Two of them were cast by Qin rulers and the third describes the events leading to the creation of the Qin domain. Comparing information of these sources with the data from Sima Qian’s Shi ji allows to determine the precise moment of the Qin domain being transformed into the Qin State and show the institutional innovations that went along with this process. The interior political change of this time is described (i.e. the political crisis of royal inheritance) as well as the exterior change in Qin’s place inside the hierarchy of Zhou domains, particularly the changing relations between the Qin State and the domain of Xiao Guo. This clarified the place that the process of territorial expansion had in this transformation. As a hypothesis, the author built a model presenting the properties distinguishing a service fief and an independent state.

Diverse, unusual images of Buddhist deities are ubiquitous in Japan. In a number of ways, they differ from traditional temple images, demonstrating a deviation from the canon, which dictates certain, centuries-old norms and rules regarding postures, position of feet, fingers, gestures, symbols. Simplification of expressive means, a stylized image become the predominant features in the image of extraordinary images. The appearance of unusual Buddhist sculptures in the plastic field of the country is often associated with the existence of legends, traditions, and also facts that took place throughout the history of Japan among the population. The iconography of unusual Buddhas is very diverse and encompasses both the Buddhas themselves and the bodhisattvas, Kings of Light, Heavenly Kings, and so on. Sixarmed Jizō, Rope-tied Jizō, Yata Jizō, Child-giving Jizō are added to the familiar images of the Bodhisattva Jizō. Amida Buddha, who is habitually portrayed as sitting frontally, appears in a new form – standing and in profile or with his head bowed. A very colourful group is represented by deities sitting on zoomorphic thrones – lions, elephants, riding birds – knocked out of the canonical image. The traditional images of the Eleven-headed, Thousand-armed Bodhisattva Kannon always seemed unusual, although they became familiar. However, placing the bodhisattva on a mount bird – a four-legged, eight-headed raven gives reason to consider this sculpture unusual. In unusual sculptures, there is a deviation from the norm, an abstraction from the traditional image. Aesthetic ideals are not realized through a complex of canons, rather through a new figurative language, not yet fixed by tradition.

The first knowledge about Peter the Great seems to penetrate into Japan during the lifetime of this Russian emperor, as early as the beginning of the 18^th century. However, it was only after first attempts of Siberian merchants to start trade relations with Japan’s northernmost domain of Matsumae when Japanese intellectuals began to study Russia and its history. By the end of the century, the image of Peter the Great as an outstanding ruler had formed in Japan, with his main achievement being the expansion of the country’s territory, after which European Russia suddenly shared a border with northern Japan. Katsuragawa Hoshu, a court physician and the author of one of the first descriptions of Russia, might be the first Japanese who implied Peter the Great’s activities as a model for Japan, pointing out his politics in spreading the foreign trade. Japanese intellectuals of the first half of the 19^th century continued to use Peter the Great’s reforms as a possible model for Japan. Watanabe Kazan (1793–1841) in his “Note about the Situation in Foreign Countries” used the Russian emperor as evidence of a leader’s role in winning nature-based and geographical obstacles in a country’s development. Aizawa Seishisai (1782–1863) and later Sakuma Shozan (1811–1864) pointed out Peter’s leadership qualities and personal involvement in reforms. Based on the study of Peter’s activities, Aizawa managed to create the program of Japan’s reforming known as the “New thesis” (“Shinron”, 1825), while Sakuma promoted the necessity of Western learning, especially the development of navy and artillery. This allows to assume a great influence of the study of Peter the Great and Russian history in formulating the ideas of a “rich country and strong army” that became a cornerstone of national ideology in Meiji Japan.

This article discusses the features of international relations in Inner Asia through the prism of the Russian-Mongolian relationship. The specifics of contemporary bilateral relationships is determined by the nature of mutual influence in the economic, political and humanitarian spheres. The aim of this research is to analyze Mongolian implementation of the concept of ‘soft power’ in relation to the regions of Russia, which are culturally and historically defined as a ‘Mongolian world’. It was revealed that the foreign policy of Mongolia in relation to Russian regions such as the Republic of Buryatia, Republic of Tuva, Irkutsk and Trans-Baikal regions is being implemented in several directions. The first one is daily trade and economic contacts between Russian and Mongolian citizens. The second direction is represented by ethno-cultural holidays and festivals, within the framework of which the Mongolian language and traditions are promoted. The existing demand for the preservation and development of national cultures and languages of the indigenous peoples of Russia creates conditions for stimulating interest in all Mongolian language, literature, clothing, cuisine, cultural and sports events. Finally, Mongolia's success in fighting the pandemic during 2020 and its humanitarian assistance to the Russian regions affected by Coronavirus are also tools of ‘soft power’. The result of this policy is the spread of Mongolian influence in the border regions of the Russian Federation. In this regard, Moscow should also pay certain attention to these processes when building a strategy of bilateral relations at state level.

The purpose of this article is to study border trade in the regions of Russia and the provinces of China. It is shown that in recent years there have been negative trends in border trade, leading to its reduction. Therefore, Russian regions bordering with China should transform into separate objects of regional policy, while also forming a legislative framework for border interaction in all its main spheres: trade, humanitarian cooperation, science and education, and others. In border cooperation with China, special emphasis should be placed on cooperation in the innovation sphere, as well as on improving the quality of exported goods and services and promoting infrastructure projects. Border trade between the regions of Russia and China is built mainly on trade and export of labour resources from China to Russia, as well as China’s receipt of additional sales channels for the confidently growing sales markets for consumer goods and sources of raw materials and primary products. The interaction of Russian regions with neighbouring provinces on the border with China not only preserves the raw material orientation of these regions, but also hinders the development and strengthening of the manufacturing industry in the structure of their regional economies, since border interaction for Russian regions immobilizes those stages of value-added production observed in the very first stages. In general, for the Chinese provinces there is a similar problem associated with such exports to border regions that have common borders with Russia, which does not contribute to the diversification and structural development of the regional economies of the Chinese provinces. That is why building an effective mechanism for border interaction between Russia and China is a strategically important issue for both countries.

This article analyzes the Advanced Special Economic Zones (ASEZ) initiative in the context of economic integration of the Russian Federation and South Korea. The author of the article, relying on an extensive source base, for the first time attempts to answer the question of what factors impede the successful implementation of projects by the two countries within the framework of this initiative. The purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the main problems and prospects of cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation within the ASEZ. The study was carried out within the framework of an integrated approach using the SCAN Interfax media environment analysis system as one of the main forecasting tools. At the same time, the author draws on statistical data reflecting the state of export-import and trade turnover between the two countries over the past five years. The analysis of the source made it possible to determine that despite the huge interest of South Korean business in the emerging markets of the Russian Federation, the project could not be implemented as planned due to the complicated administrative procedures, the fundamental difference in the procedure for investing in high-tech and commercial production, lack of trust in the Russian system of economic planning as well as insufficient experience in ways of doing business with South Korean companies by Russian Far Eastern specialists.

This publication represents a kind of literary essay about the fighting against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus at the very beginning of the pandemic, during the first days and even hours. The personal story may help to evaluate the situation of complete uncertainty on the first days of the pandemic all of us have already forgotten now. But to remember the first moods and the first steps is a very important thing, for avoidance of new crises during possible epidemics in the future and the panic associated with them. Looking at the problem from the inside helps to understand the worries, moods and feelings of Chinese people during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

A report on the XI International scientific conference “Ancient Cultures of Mongolia, Baikal and South Siberia, Northern China” held in Abakan by Khakas State University from September 8 to September 12 2021 is presented. Brief descriptions of the papers presented are given.

“Linguistics in Ancient India in the Context of Culture and Ritual” (Moscow, Vodoley, 2020, 244 p.) by O. A. Voloshina, published in Russian, presents a popular survey of Indian linguistic traditions, with a particular focus on descriptive methods of Pāṇini's grammar. A popular book on this topic written in Russian is indeed highly in demand. However, the book by Voloshina is not a popular, high-quality book, rather an imperfect compilation. The references in the book are mainly irrelevant or out of date. Works of contemporary leading scholars in Vedic studies are totally ignored. As a result, the book contains a number of errors and wrong conclusions, let alone numerous typos in Sanskrit. The author fails to distinguish consistently between historical description, the ideology of Vedic texts, and their subsequent interpretation in the frames of Hinduism. Chapters of the book that deal with Pāṇini's grammar provide parallels with concepts of modern linguistics. These seem promising, though sometimes a bit straightforward. The author is suggested to distinguish between descriptive and comparative parts in the chapters on Pāṇini.

The reviewed investigation made by Stanisław Robert Kuczera “The Antique and Ancient History of China. Early Neolithic of the South” (Moscow, St. Peterburg, Nestor-Istoriya, 2020, 596 p.) provides an overview of the main early Neolithic complexes in the south of China. The work has been carried out for several dozens of years and is based on the analysis of more than 2000 different scientific publications. In terms of its depth and thoroughness of presented research, this monograph has no analogues in the Russian language. Based on the systematization and analysis of the scientific articles of Chinese archaeologists it presents an overview of migrations, emergence of ceramics, methods of stone processing, domestication of plants and animals in the Early Neolithic of southern China. Radiocarbon data of the archaeological sites is being widely presented in Russian for the first time. Four chapters provide a comprehensive investigation of different aspects of the Neolithic economy of the region.

The author reviews the first six chapters of the monograph by John S. Major and Constance Cook “Ancient China: A History” (New York, London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2017. 300 p.). The authors of the book made an attempt to briefly review the history of ancient China on the basis of a compilation of factual data from the works of the most prominent researchers of these periods in Europe and the United States. It is shown that the authors of the compilation mainly follow the Chinese historical tradition, repeating the basic information from the classical Confucian treatises of the early Imperial time. It is particularly significant that the authors make mistakes that indicate the formation of their own tradition of writing the history of China in the United States.