Dongjing Music
01 · Historical Records
It first originated in the great temple on Qiqu Mountain in Zitong County, which served as the ancestral seat of Wenchang, during the Qiandao reign period of the Southern Song; it was at first called "Tanchi Junyin", and was later renamed "Dongjing Giyue" (Dongjing ancient music) because of the performance of the Wenchang Dadong Xianjing.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Dongjing music is current mainly among the Han, Bai and Naxi peoples of Yunnan Province; it was originally a form of Taoist ritual music, and takes its name from the fact that the chanting and singing of the text of the Dadong Xianjing is its main content. Its musical tunes are very rich; each region in which it is current has its own independent set of tunes of every kind, numbering from forty to more than a hundred. Wenchang Dongjing ancient music, also called "Dongjing music", is a form of folk music played when sacrificing to Wenchang Dijun. Wenchang Dongjing ancient music appears mainly as accompanying music when the Wenchang Dadong Xianjing is performed; it has many tune patterns, which can be divided into three classes: great tune patterns, fine tune patterns and luogujing (gong-and-drum formula) tune patterns. The great tune patterns are played mainly on wind and percussion instruments, the fine tune patterns mainly on sizhu instruments, and the luogujing tune patterns on a variety of percussion instruments. The great and fine music is used mainly as accompaniment for various ritual activities, and can also serve as interlude between the sutra chants. The luogujing is used mainly for opening the altar and closing the sutra reading, or to link the various sutra chants and the great and fine tune patterns at their close, and can also serve as background accompaniment for the chanting of verses. The musical style is leisurely and understated, with a devout and solemn air, commanding respectful awe. Representative works of Wenchang Dongjing ancient music include Wenchang Zan, Zheng Xing Xiang and Yan E Guo Qing Tian. As time has passed, Wenchang Dongjing ancient music has gradually moved out of the temples into the world of the people, and has exerted a considerable influence on other ethnic music.
Wenchang Zan
One of the representative works of Wenchang Dongjing ancient music.
Zheng Xing Xiang
One of the representative works of Wenchang Dongjing ancient music.
Yan E Guo Qing Tian
One of the representative works of Wenchang Dongjing ancient music.
Great, fine and percussion tune types
Wenchang Dongjing ancient music has many tune patterns, which fall into three classes: the great tune patterns are played mainly on wind and percussion instruments, the fine tune patterns mainly on sizhu instruments, and the luogujing tune patterns on a variety of percussion instruments.
Opening and closing percussion function
The luogujing is used mainly for opening the altar and closing the sutra reading, or to link the various sutra chants and the great and fine tune patterns at their close, and can also serve as background accompaniment for the chanting of verses.
Recitation of Wenchang Dadong Xianjing
Wenchang Dongjing ancient music appears mainly as accompanying music when the Wenchang Dadong Xianjing is performed; the great and fine music is used mainly as accompaniment for various ritual activities, and can also serve as interlude between the sutra chants.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Wenchang Dongjing ancient music is current at the Wenchang Palace on Qiqu Mountain in Zitong County, Sichuan Province, and at the charity halls and vegetarian halls around the county town, where its influence in local folk life is very far-reaching.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Dongjing Music · Dongjing Music.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
As a form of folk music closely bound to traditional religion, it is a valuable reference for the study of Chinese folk culture and religious culture. At present, under the impact of modern civilisation, agrarian customs and habits are gradually breaking down, the thinking of the younger generation has changed markedly, the living space of Wenchang Dongjing ancient music, which is bound up with traditional folk belief, is continually shrinking, and its transmission is in serious crisis. Increasing protection and, to the greatest extent, slowing the rate of the decline of this folk ancient music has become a matter of urgency.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Han Dingsheng 05-2144
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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