歷史學上，歷史分期是歷史認識的根本。本文提倡中國史的新歷史分期，是以「古典中國」為指標的四個歷史分期。本文並以喪服禮的展開為具體事例，論述「古典中國」成立之過程。「古典中國」基本上是以王莽（45 B.C.-23）為中心形成的中國古典式國制。但，後世推崇於「漢」，不只古典式國制，還包含社會規範，依儒教經義形成的「古典中國」，其實是後漢章帝期舉行的白虎觀會議。班固（32-92）整理會議結果於《白虎通》，並著《漢書》，將《白虎通》的經義當成教科書，再加上鄭玄（127-200）自成體系，創造宗教性的經典解釋，共同交織而成「古典中國」傳於後世。到了唐代，根據漢書學、鄭玄學，尊崇「漢」為古典。如是，始於白虎觀會議根據經義規定的「古典中國」，其國家與社會的形制一直延續至唐末。唐宋變革後，即使國家社會形制產生巨變的「近世中國」，以儒教經義來規定國家社會形制，所謂「古典中國」制定規範的形成方法仍沒改變。因此，中國史可區分為以下四個時代：國家、社會形式不受儒教經義規定的「原中國」（先秦）、「古典中國」成立的「古典中國」（秦至唐）、「古典中國」展開的「近世中國」（宋至清），以及國家、社會形式殘存儒教經義之影響，同時尊重西歐流入之價值觀的「近代中國」（中華民國以後）。

In historiography, periodization is fundamental to historical cognition. This paper suggests a new way of periodization based on the distinction of four periods of Chinese history with “Classical China” as an index. It offers an analysis of the process of the establishment of “Classical China,” using the development of mourning dress as a key example. “Classical China” is based on the classical Chinese national system led by Wang Mang(王莽, 45 B.C.-23). However, in the “Han” (漢) Dynasty which is highly regarded by later generations, it was in the “Byakkokan” Council (白虎觀會議) held during Emperor Zhang's period (章帝期) in the Later Han Dynasty that the idea of “Classical China,” was formed, including not only the classical national system but also social norms, based on Confucian principles. “Hansyu” (漢書) was written by Ban Gu (班固, 32-92) who compiled the “Byakkotsu” (白虎通), the outcome of the “Byakkokan” Council. Although “Hansyu” was compiled using the scriptures in “Byakkotsu” as their textbook, it played the role of passing on the concept of “Classical China” to future generations along with the sutra's interpretation of Zheng Xuan (鄭玄, 127-200) et al., who created their own systematic and religious scriptural explanations. In the Tang Dynasty, the “Han (漢) “ Dynasty was highly regarded as “classical” by Hanshu's and Zheng Xuan's study. Thus, the “Classical China” style of nation and social structure, which was first defined by the Confucian principles at the “Byakkokan” Council, continued to be accepted until the end of the Tang dynasty. Even in “early modern China,” when the Tang-Song transformation changes the nation and social structure greatly, the way of formation stipulated by “Classical China” in which Confucian principles were used to define the nation and its social structure, remained unchanged. Thus, the history of China can be divided into four stages: “Original China” (pre-Qin period), in which the state of the nation and society was not defined by the Confucian principles; “Classical China” (Qin to Tang periods), in which “Classical China” was established; “Early modern China” (Song to Qing periods), in which “Classical China” developed; and “Modern China” (the Republic of China onward), in which the state of the nation and society was influenced by the Confucian principles as well as that originated in Western Europe. In conclusion, this paper affirms that, Chinese history can be distinguished into the above-stated four major periods.