Chinese Culture & History

    Shehuo Ladle Mask 社火马勺

    The ladle was a daily utensil used by ancient Chinese to feed the horses; usually the round shaped was for scooping water, while the rectangular shaped for getting feedstuff. To prevent their livestock from the injury of natural pest/disease and Continue Reading

    Yichang Stringed and Woodwind Instrumental Music in China

    The famousYichang stringed and woodwind instrumental music(宜昌丝竹乐器Yíchāng sīzhú yuèqì) is unique among all the folk instrumental music in Hubei Province,China. It takes strings and bamboos as main instruments to perform. It is a variety of artistic instrument which is Continue Reading

    About the Xingan Tomb

    Geographical Location:Xin’gan County, Jiangxi Province Period:About 12th century BC Excavated in 1989 Significance:It has disclosed the features of the bronze civilization and burial systems of the nobles in the Yangtze River valley during the Shang Dynasty. Introduction Xingan(新干Xīn’gàn)Tomb, a large Continue Reading

    Hero-praising Dance in China

    TheHero-praising dance(英雄赞美舞yīngxióng zànměi wǔ) also can be called “Eagle Song”, or “Parrot” or “Yangge”. It’s a kind of folk square dancing integrating(if someone integrates into a social group, or is integrated into it, they behave in such a way Continue Reading

    Suzhou Pingtan

    TheSuzhou pingtan(苏州评弹Sūzhōu píngtán) is a general term denoting Suzhou pinghua and tanci. as well as in Shanghai, it also enjoys great popularity in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. This art has a long history. Pinghua developed from the storytelling art Continue Reading

    Qingyin (Pure Tone)

    Early years, this form of aria was called changxiaoqu (small tunes). It also had other names according to whether the performer uses a yueqin, a four-stringed plucked instrument with a full-moon-shaped sound box, or a pipa as accompaniment(the accompaniment Continue Reading

    Pili puppet show

    Whether you ever heard ofPili puppet show(霹雳布袋戏Pīlì bùdài xì)? Strange name, isn’t it? It’s named “Pili” because every episode has “pili” in its title. This folk-art form is performed by many kinds of puppets – some of them are Continue Reading

    The famous Guyi Exorcising Opera

    The famousGuyi Exorcising Opera固义傩戏(Gùyì nuóxì) in Wu’an County, Handan City, is developed from the ancient exorcising(its original intention iscounteract evil force) ceremony, exorcising music, exorcising dance and the custom of exorcising. It is various in kinds and characters and is Continue Reading

    About Nanxin Village Puppet Play

    After 1949, Nanxin Village Puppet Play was rejuvenated due to the local entertainers Jin Hanxi and Wang Guangliang. In Year 1956, it was performed in Beijing City. TheNanxin Village Puppet Play(南辛庄木偶戏Nánxīnzhuāng mùŏuxì) in Hejian City of Cangzhou, also Continue Reading

    Qibao Shadow Play in Shanghai

    In recent years, the town ofQibao(七宝Qībăo) celebrates their cultural heritage and works to preserve the past traditions ofShadow Play(皮影戏píyǐngxì) that are such an important aspect of the town’s own history. Though the Chinese government does help to keep these Continue Reading