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1. Introduction
In this paper, we reflexively critique Peng et al.’s (2015) paper (hereafter PYM paper), entitled “Feminist thinking in late seventh-century China: A critical hermeneutics analysis of the case of Wu Zetian,” of which we were the authors. It is our reflection that an “exotic” historical figure combined with an “unusual” methodology not only makes PYM paper an interesting piece, but also poses potential challenges to that research. These challenges may be faced by other researchers who conduct critical hermeneutics analysis in such fields as postcolonial theory, organization history and gender studies as well.
In the PYM paper, we aimed to offer novel insights into knowledge of “proto-feminism” (i.e. early forms of women-centered thinking and behavior) through description and analysis of the rule of the seventh-century Chinese female Emperor Wu Zetian. Our study recovered long lost stories of women leadership that were “invisible” (Rowbotham, 1974, 1999) in many ways in the historical narratives, and contributed to postcolonial feminism by revealing the existence of indigenous proto-feminist practice in the so-called Orient long before western-based feminism took center stage and long before globalization and postcolonial critiques of western feminism emerged (Calás and Smircich, 2006). In terms of methods, we used critical hermeneutics as a tool for textual interpretation, following exactly the four-stage analytic process as outlined by Prasad and Mir (2002): choosing texts from historical records and writings of Wu; analyzing the historical sociocultural context; analyzing the relationship between the text and the context; and offering a conceptual framework as a richer explanation for the specific relationship between text and context. The conclusion of the PYM paper was that Wu Zetian’s life activities and practices demonstrated proto-feminism in at least four aspects, specifically, gender equality in sexuality, in social status, in politics and women’s pursuit of power and leadership.
In the PYM paper, we also reflected on some limitations of the study and suggested some implications for future research. We put forward the following suggestions:
First, are the proto-feminist practices of Wu Zetian paradoxical? On the one hand, she pursued gender equality through improving women’s status in social life, politics, and sexuality; on the other hand, she learned from and imitated men, adapting to a male model of leadership. Second, to what extent is it...