NDLI: Anshun Earth Opera Mask

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Anshun Earth Opera Mask

Content Provider	IGNCA - Man and Mask
Description	The Di-xi, or “Earth Operas” of Anshun, in the central Kweichow region of China, are held on the open ground, especially at the time of the Spring Festival and at the flowering of the rice crop, and on special celebratory occasions, such as a temple raising. The form has it roots in exorcistic practices and participation in the plays is still regarded as being conducive to good harvests, bountiful livestock, freedom from disaster, and a peaceful life. Another name for the “Earth Operas” is T’iao-shen, “The Dance of the Gods.” The performances themselves, while certainly a form of theatre, incorporate many rituals, starting with the breaking out of the masks from a chest in public and the “Descent of Four Generals,” in which four martial figures dance into the arena, betokening the banishment of demons from all of the cardinal directions. After offerings are made to temples, bridges, and water wells, the fully costumed actors stop at the doors of houses, speaking a few auspicious words and “Opening the Gate of Wealth.” Only then, do the plays themselves commence. The making of the masks is accompanied by a complex set of rituals, involving the anointing of the woodblock and tools with fowl’s blood, the reciting of incantatory phrases, and the “opening of the light” ritual to impart divine power. Crafted by artisan farmers, the wooden masks are characterized by a wide range of colorings, prominent eyes, and elaborately carved head and earpieces featuring coiled dragons and phoenix wings. They are worn at such an angle that the voice is unblocked and vision is through the nostrils and beneath the mask’s rim. Since the plays are performed in natural amphitheatres and the audience views the performances from above, the masks are fully viewable when worn in this manner. Five categories of martial masks are featured in the plays: civil generals, martial generals, elderly generals, young generals, and female generals. There are also hermits, clowns, campfollowers, peasants, children and animals. Each opera requires its own set of masks numbering from around fifty to around three hundred, and it is estimated that there are three hundred sets of masks in the region.
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Ancient Human Practice Anshun Anthropology Anthropomorphic Art Work Art History Ceremonies and Practices China Chu Decorative Mask Disguise Drama Theraphy Kweichow Kweilin Museum Object Ornamentation Performance Performing Art Ritual Mask Sculpture Shang West
Content Type	Image Text
Resource Type	Visual Artwork

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