H4562.124

• california gold rush

Chinese tea box, unpainted wood, sliding top, legend of Chinese characters on top, 19th c. From the History Information Station Object: Chinese packing case, for shipping tea. The top of the box slides out to open it. History: In this exhibit this box is used as a make-shift altar for the wooden statuette of the Taoist god Kuan Ping. Fearing violent intolerance by non-Chinese settlers, early Chinese settlers often had to practice their religion in secret. They used rooms in the backs of stores or barns and furnished them with whatever materials they could find. Eventually Chinese settlers were able to build houses of worship, called Joss houses Many think the word "Joss" comes from the Chinese pronunciation of "Deos", the Portugese missionaries' name for God. Usually Joss houses had shrines for several gods which were protected by full-time attendants. In the Joss houses people practiced their religion individually. Sometimes they meditated for spiritual rejuvenation. Sometimes they consulted certain gods for the solution to a family problem. Gods were also asked to bless babies and crops, and to watch over perilous journeys and commercial ventures. Additional material from the History Information Station: Joss houses in California In early California Chinese immigrants had no places of worship. They were afraid to erect temples because they feared vandalism by non-Chinese settlers. In time they began to set aside rooms for worship in commercial and residential buildings. As time went on, they were able to build houses of worship, sometimes full-scale temples These buildings were called Joss houses. Many think the word "Joss" comes from the Chinese pronunciation of "Deos", the Portugese missionaries' name for God. Usually Joss houses had shrines for several gods which were protected by full-time attendants. In the Joss houses people practiced their religion individually.Sometimes they meditated for spiritual rejuvenation. Sometimes they consulted certain gods on the solution to a family problem. Gods were also asked to bless babies and crops, and to watch over perilous journeys and commercial ventures.

Used: Chinese