"Chinese Dance Chronicle (Zhejiang Volume)"

Author: Editorial Committee of "The History of Chinese Dance"
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not available
Features: The splendid Chinese dance culture has a long history. It has evolved from the drops at its origin to the vast ocean it is today. Throughout its long journey in time and space, there have been both gentle ripples and rapid currents, but it has always surged forward, unrestrainedly across the land of China, moving towards the future. Dance was an important part of the ancient Chinese concept of "Le" (music and dance).：" expresses thoughts and emotions, singing conveys its sound, and dance portrays its external form. All three are rooted in the human heart, followed by instrumental music." Le encompassed the elements of poetry, music, and dance. This ancient art was originally an inseparable whole, indistinguishably blended. What modern people call poetry, music, and dance only gradually evolved after a long developmental process. As one of the series in the "History of Chinese Dance," "The History of Chinese Dance in Zhejiang" provides a detailed account of the history, current state, content, forms, styles, characteristics, and related customs of folk dances in Zhejiang. Dance embodies the deep consciousness of the national spirit. China is vast and home to numerous ethnic groups, with complex and diverse ecological environments and cultural traditions, as well as an uneven historical development. This has painted a magnificent and rich tapestry of Chinese music and dance culture. This book truly reflects the grand achievement of Chinese dance as the crystallization of the wisdom and spirit of the Chinese nation.
[The Twin Dragons Playing with the Pearl] is popular in the Bianshan Township of Changxing County, Zhejiang. It is said that before the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Longhua Temple in Bianshan held an annual performance. A dragon dance team from Baichu Township in Huzhou passed by Qingcaowu Village and was asked to perform. However, the team left without doing so. This inspired the villagers to create their own dragon dance. They raised funds by selling rice and, under the guidance of Mr. Chen Xiuming, who learned the skills from his father, combined local customs to create the "Twin Dragons Playing with the Pearl." The dance was named after the local terrain. It is performed during festivals and holidays, with the custom that the dragon's head must enter the courtyard first and the tail must exit first after the performance. Common routines include "Half-Moon," "Dragon Spitting Water," "Two and Three Pearls," "Lock," "Butterfly Picking Flowers," and "Dragon Showcasing Power," totaling twenty-eight routines. The dancers must maintain precise footwork, as any mistake could cause the dragon's body to knot. If the dragon's body is cut with a knife, it is considered an inauspicious omen. The elderly artist Mr. Chen Xiuming was renowned for his extraordinary dragon dance skills. He could throw the dragon pearl over the wall and catch it back in mid-air, making the dragon follow the pearl in mid-flight.
[The Twin Lions Competing for the Lantern] The Ninghai Lion Dance (commonly known as "Beating the Lion" or "Lion Lantern Dance") is widely popular and was once practiced by over 400 teams across the county, with its presence in nearly every village. It has a long history, traceable to the Southern Song Dynasty, making it over a thousand years old. Ninghai is renowned as the "Hometown of Lion Dance" in our province. Ninghai County was established in the first year of the Taikang era during the Jin Dynasty and is an ancient and civilized county. The Jin Dynasty's geographical records describe the people of Ninghai as "impetuous in temperament and light in nature, fond of Buddhism and belief in ghosts." The county has numerous temples and shrines. Many famous monks have visited Ninghai, including the founder of Tiantai Guqing Temple, Master Zhiyi, the monk Yixing, and Jianzhen, all of whom left their mark in the region. During Buddhist festivals (such as temple fairs and lantern openings), lion dances are often performed. The "Ninghai County Gazetteer" from the Guangxu era records: "On the Lantern Festival, bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits, and markets and temples are decorated with colorful lanterns and performances to honor the gods, lasting until the twentieth day (the city performs until the fourteenth day, while the countryside until the thirteenth day)." The performances were not just theatrical shows but included dragon dances, lion dances, tea-picking, and horse lanterns, with lion dances being the most prominent and widespread. The solemn welcoming ceremonies were held. Folk lore tells of when the Southern Song Prime Minister Ye Mengding returned to his hometown, the people lifted a straw dragon and performed lion dances to welcome him, showing that lion dance was already popular in Ninghai during the Southern Song Dynasty. Many stories about lions are in various parts of Ninghai. "The Twin Lions Competing for the Lantern" was developed by elderly artists in Nanxia Village based on traditional lion dance performances and local folk legends. It is said that in ancient times, a group of demons appeared on Mofeng Mountain behind Nanxia Village, spewing clouds and mist, poisoning the air, and harming livestock. One day, Manjusri, riding a golden lion, passed by and was horrified by the sight. He ordered the golden lion to descend and subdue the demons. The golden lion roared lightly at Mofeng Mountain, and the demons were instantly subdued. The people, seeing that the golden lion could eliminate demons and disasters, revered it as a deity. After many years, the demons transformed into a sky lantern to lure the lions. The lions, seeing the lantern, chased it playfully and forgot their way home. Without the lions, the demons resumed harming people and animals. A young man determined to protect the people crafted a fine lantern and went in search of the lions. He crossed thirty-six rivers, climbed forty-nine mountain peaks, visited sixty-four county offices, and traveled eighty-one days before finally finding the lions in Hainan. The lions, seeing the lantern in the young man's hands,