SOUTH GALLERY

Folk Performances
On special occasions, especially during the Chinese New Year celebration, the rural populace would enjoy shehuo (festive entertainment) performances. The zhumaxi (dances with a bamboo-made horse), lion dances, mock battles with shields, and comedic skits illustrated in the brick carvings along this wall were popular shehuo entertainments, which often did not require a stage; they were performed primarily as harvest celebrations and invocations for peace and prosperity. The musicians and dancers depicted in the brick carvings on the opposite wall of this gallery would have been included in either zaju (variety play) or shehuo performances.

These four painted brick carvings (nos. 27–30) depict scenes from shehuo music and dance performances and are part of a set of nine unearthed from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, in Shanxi province. They were laid onto sun-shade boards located on both the east and west walls of the antechamber. The faces of the animated figures are painted as if wearing theatrical makeup.

Cat. no. 27
Shehuo Performance—Striking a Gong
金代　敲锣
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

Cat. no. 28
Shehuo Performance—Qiaofuren
金代　“乔夫人”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

This is a qiaofuren scene, a type of shehuo performance where the male actor would dress up as a woman while others circle about, teasing him in song and dance.

Cat. no. 29
Shehuo Performance—Guatianle
金代　“瓜田乐”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

A performer carries a melon on his shoulder, as he shakes his waist and hips in a dance of joy. Guatianle is a type of shehuo performance that depicts the peasants’ jubilation over a large harvest.

Cat. no. 30
Shehuo Performance—Dancing
金代　舞蹈
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

Cat. no. 36
Brick Carving of Zhumaxi
金代　竹马戏砖雕
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Zhumaxi performance combines song and dance with traditional folk paper craft. Zhuma literally means “bamboo-made horse.” A bamboo frame is wrapped with colored silk or paper to form the shape of a horse. It is tied to the performer, who then walks around and dances to music as if on horseback. Dressed in military attire, these performers look like daring generals at battle. In another type of performance, tiaozhengzi, the battle formation is adjusted as a flag bearer calls out instructions.

Cat. no. 33
Shehuo Performance—Puqizi
金代　“扑旗子”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

This scene is called puqizi, a type of shehuo performance. The boys dance enthusiastically, equipped with props such as triangular flags, swords, and shields. One boy carries a waist drum.

Cat. no. 35
Brick Carving of Zhumaxi
金代　竹马戏砖雕
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Cat. no. 34
Shehuo Performance—Guatianle
金代　“瓜田乐”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

The boy in the middle carries a large melon on his shoulders and jumps with jubilation. One boy plays a flute, another beats a waist drum, and two others strike small gongs. They encircle the melon carrier, dancing to convey their joy over a bountiful harvest.

Cat. no. 42
Children Riding on Deer
金代　骑鹿童子
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

A boy wearing long pants and a girl wearing a skirt hold immortality herbs in their hands as they romp and chase each other astride the deer.

Cat. no. 35

Brick Carving of Zhumaxi
金代　竹马戏砖雕

Cat. no. 42

Children Riding on Deer
金代　骑鹿童子

Cat. no. 31
Shehuo Performance—Manpaiwu
金代　“蛮牌舞”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Cat. no. 32
Shehuo Performance—Manpaiwu
金代　“蛮牌舞”
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

These two panels depict performers in children’s dress as they dance face to face, holding their weapons. One holds a zhuodao wooden knife, and the others hold shield-like panels called manpai. They are performing the manpaiwu, “shield dance,” a type of shehuo which reflects military activity.

Cat. no. 40
Lion Dance
金代　狮舞
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

The lion has been praised in poetry since the Song dynasty, when a monk named Wude wrote: “Xihe lion is well known in all corners of the universe. It silences heaven and earth when it shakes its golden mane and roars. The benevolent ruler is venerated by the world.” Lions are generally modeled with an impressive build. Here it holds an embroidered silk ball in its mouth as it dances.

Cat. no. 41
Lion Dance
金代　狮舞
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

Brick carvings of the lion dance have been discovered in Jin dynasty tombs at both Nanfanzhuang and Wulinzhuang in Xinjiang county. The lion dance is a form of traditional entertainment in northern China. Two of the six boys are inside the lion costume to serve as its legs in this very rare depiction.

Cat. no. 31

Shehuo Performance—Manpaiwu
金代　“蛮牌舞”

Cat. no. 32

Shehuo Performance—Manpaiwu
金代　“蛮牌舞”

Cat. no. 41

Lion Dance
金代　狮舞

Cat. nos. 2-7
Series Depicting Objects of Ordinary Life and Scenes of Occupation
北宋或金代　人们安居乐业的日常生活图
Northern Song / Jin dynasty, 12th century
Carved brick
Unearthed at in 2005 Duanjiazhuang, Qinyuan county, Shanxi

Cat. no. 2
Horse Tethered to a Post
拴马图

Cat. no. 3
Cooking in a Kitchen
庖厨图

A woman holds a steamed roll while she stirs the fire; a five-tiered steamer sits on top of the stove.

Cat. no. 4
Wine Utensils
酒器图

It was customary in this period to heat the wine before drinking.

Cat. no. 5
Rice Pounding
舂米图

This process removes the rice husks in preparation for storage.

Cat. no. 6
Horse Riding
骑马图

Cat. no. 7
A Herd of Cattle
群牛图

Cat. no. 1
Woman Opening a Door
北宋或金代　妇人启门图
Northern Song / Jin dynasty, 12th century
Carved brick
Unearthed at in 2005 Duanjiazhuang, Qinyuan county, Shanxi

These bricks were found set into a tomb’s north wall, here reproduced in replica. They depict a woman peering out from behind a slightly open door, richly carved with realistic-looking lattice panels and a door frame. Representations of a figure behind a half-open door have been found in funerary art as early as the 3rd century; their meaning is not certain. Above her is carved the Black Warrior, guardian of the north and one of the “four spirits.” The two outermost bricks in the top tier depict filial piety stories: King Shun plowing in Lishan and Wang Xiang praying for fish on the frozen river. In the same tomb is a series of bricks depicting objects and scenes of daily life and occupations (nos. 2–13).

Cat. nos. 8-13
Series Depicting Objects of Ordinary Life and Scenes of Occupation
北宋或金代　人们安居乐业的日常生活图
Northern Song / Jin dynasty, 12th century
Carved brick
Unearthed at in 2005 Duanjiazhuang, Qinyuan county, Shanxi

Cat. no. 8
Women’s Tools
女工图

A copper iron, scissors, and water container—these are tools for making clothes.

Cat. no. 9
Drawing Water from a Well
汲水图

Cat. no. 10
Grooming Mirror
妆镜图

Mirrors in ancient China are made of bronze.

Cat. no. 11
Textiles Hung on a Clothes Rack
晒布图

Spinning, weaving, and fabric dying are ancient crafts of China.

Cat. no. 12
Household Furniture
家具图

The tingtang (reception hall) furniture depicted here is based on the frame-and-panel and yoke-and-rack forms.

Cat. no. 13
Ox-driven Mill
牛磨图

Cat. nos. 2-7

Series Depicting Objects of Ordinary Life and Scenes of Occupation
北宋或金代　人们安居乐业的日常生活图

Cat. no. 1

Woman Opening a Door
北宋或金代　妇人启门图

Cat. nos. 8-13

Series Depicting Objects of Ordinary Life and Scenes of Occupation
北宋或金代　人们安居乐业的日常生活图

This group of brick carvings (nos. 14–20), unearthed from Xiangfen county, highlights various aspects of sanyue (folk music) performance.

Cat. no. 17
Figure of Musician Playing a Hardwood Clapper
金代　拍板色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

The paiban (hardwood clapper) is a rhythm instrument introduced into the Central Plains of China by minority groups from the northwest during the Tang dynasty. It was widely used in folk shuochang (speech-and-song) performances during the Song-Jin period; it is also the main instrument in guban (a folk music band). The small six-piece hardwood clapper seen today can be traced back to the Jin period.

Cat. no. 18
Figure of Musician Playing a Bamboo Oboe
金代　筚篥色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

The bili (bamboo oboe) instrument, popular in Jin period sanyue, is shaped like a suona (double-reed trumpet) but without the flaring bell. The ancient Qiuci (Kucha) people invented the bili, whose name is derived from its Kucha pronunciation. It was one of the main musical instruments of the ancient Hu people of Western or Central Asia.

Cat. no. 19
Figure of Musician Playing a Traverse Bamboo Flute
金代　笛色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

Wearing a long flowing beard, the performer resembles an old Daoist immortal.

This group of brick carvings (nos. 14–20), unearthed from Xiangfen county, highlights various aspects of sanyue (folk music) performance.

Cat. no. 14
Figure of Musician Playing a Big Drum
金代　大鼓色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

The drummer, wearing a floral futou hat, strikes the big drum as he leads the other musical instruments during a sanyue performance.

Cat. no. 15
Figure of Musician Playing a Waist Drum
金代　腰鼓色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

Here the drum is tied at the waist, making it easier to carry while dancing. This type of drum can still be seen in many areas of northern China.

Cat. no. 16
Figure of Musician Playing a Big Drum
金代　大鼓色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

The waist drum has an hourglass shape and is usually decorated with a piece of cloth during the performance.

Cat. no. 20
Figure of a Dancer
金代　舞伎
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 at Jingcungou, Xiangfen county, Shanxi

Brick carvings of sanyue in the Jin period were often paired with carvings of dancers. This shows that the music was meant to accompany performances in which the dancers were central.

Cat. no. 21
Figure of Musician Playing a Big Drum
金代　大鼓色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

The drummer wears a black futou hat with horizontal wings and “high-piled floral ornaments.” He looks highly focused and tilts his head while he strikes the big drum with a pair of drumsticks.

Cat. no. 22
Figure of Musician Playing a Bamboo Oboe
金代　筚篥色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

This drummer is painted with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a heavy moustache and wears a black futou hat decorated with “high-piled floral ornaments.” His waist drum, decorated with a piece of cloth, is fastened with a silk rope hanging off one shoulder.

Cat. no. 23
Figure of Musician Playing a Traverse Bamboo Flute
金代　笛色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1984 at Dalicun, Houma city, Shanxi

Cat. no. 24
Figure of Musician Playing a Traverse Bamboo Flute
金代　筚篥色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1985 from Beisucun, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

A performer dances and plays the flute at the same time, filling the scene with celebratory joy.

Cat. no. 25
Figure of Musician Playing Hardwood Clapper
金代　拍板色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1985 from Beisucun, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

In the Jin period, figurines of actors in various roles were also placed in the tomb. Sensitively modeled, the head of this fujing character, a comic, has been painted as if the face were made up with powder and ink.

Cat. no. 26
Figure of a Dancer
金代　舞伎
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1985 from Beisucun, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

The animated dancer wears a futou hat with floral-shaped wings and a narrow-sleeved long robe.

Development of Theater in the Jin Period

Theatrical entertainment for the general populace surged during the Song-Jin period, absorbing elements of folk performances as it developed. Sanyue and baixi (literally, “loose music” and “hundred plays”) are general terms for a type of variety show performed since ancient times. Originally centered in the court, it had by the Song period moved into the temples and from there into urban towns and rural villages. Components of the show varied over time, but they basically included song and dance, instrumental music, jiaodi (horn-butting games), martial arts, acrobatics, magic shows, and zaju (skits or small plays).

During the Song dynasty, zaju was itself a kind of comprehensive variety show which included music, low comedy, and acrobatics. The term zaju also referred to the main part of the show, a playlet with four or five characters who told a story through singing, dialogue, and dancing. Music was an essential part of the show. Individual images of musicians in the Shanxi bricks are depicted playing traditional instruments such as the hardwood clapper, waist drum, bamboo oboe, traverse flute, and so on. In northern China, under the Jin dynasty, zaju was referred to as yuanben. It drew from Northern Song zaju as well as Liao dynasty jiaofang (court music) and sanyue (music and dance performances).

Cat. no. 47
Zaju—Head of a Figure in the Fujing Role
金代　副净色头像
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1978 from Tomb no. 1 at Macun, Jishan county, Shanxi

In the Jin period, figurines of actors in various roles were also placed in the tomb. Sensitively modeled, the head of this fujing character, a comic, has been painted as if the face were made up with powder and ink.

Cat. no. 48
Zaju—Head of a Figure in the Zhuanggu Role
金代　装孤色头像
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1978 from Tomb no. 1 at Macun, Jishan county, Shanxi

In Jin zaju theater, the zhuanggu character is a court official. This head, probably a fragment, wears a wujiaojin headdress. He is modeled with distinctive features, and his eyes are loosely shut, as if he were immersed in thought.

Model of the Erlang Temple Stage
金代　二郎神庙戏台模型
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Jin dynasty, 23rd year of the Dading era (1183)

Wangbaocun, Sizhuang township, Gaoping city, Shanxi

This is a model of the stage preserved in the Erlang temple at Wangbao village, Gaoping city—the oldest stage discovered so far in China. It is built on top of a Sumeru-type base, which is especially typical of Jin dynasty architectural style. The base is decorated with line engravings of the “boy born sitting inside a lotus flower.” Around the “waist” of the Sumeru base is carved a dated inscription that reads “third day of the tenth month in the guimao year.”

NORTH GALLERY

Role Categories in the Jin Theater

Song zaju and Jin yuanben plays had four or five characters. The moni is a leading male role, usually an official. The fujing is a clown, while the fumo, a jester, acts as a foil for the fujing’s jokes. These two roles may overlap depending on the plot. In addition, the fumo often introduces the play. The zhuanggu role is a male court official; it is optional in Song zaju but more vital in Jin yuanben. The zhuangdan was the lead female role.

Cat. no. 43
Zaju—Figure in the Zhuanggu Role
金代　装孤色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1973 at Podicun, Yuanqu county, Shanxi

The zhuanggu, who portrays an official, wears trousers with the hems folded up. He waves a fan toward his left shoulder while holding up the lower fold of his long robe. His toes are pointed in a dance step, as if tracing a dingzi (T) shape.

Cat. no. 44
Zaju—Figure in the Fumo Role
金代　副末色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1973 at Podicun, Yuanqu county, Shanxi

The fumo, a jester who sometimes introduces the play, holds a staff horizontally in front of his chest as if about to deliver a speech.

Cat. no. 45
Zaju—Figures in the Fumo and Fujing Roles
金代　副末色、副净色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1973 at Podicun, Yuanqu county, Shanxi

The performer standing in front plays the comic role of fujing. Behind him, the fumo (jester) grasps a kegua (literally, “knocking gourd”) in his right hand while talking into the fujing’s ear.

Cat. no. 46
Zaju—Figure in the Moni Role
金代　末泥色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 1973 at Podicun, Yuanqu county, Shanxi

Holding an official’s tablet, the moni, or male lead, looks like a serious and dignified official.

Role Categories in the Jin Theater

Song zaju and Jin yuanben plays had four or five characters. The moni is a leading male role, usually an official. The fujing is a clown, while the fumo, a jester, acts as a foil for the fujing’s jokes. These two roles may overlap depending on the plot. In addition, the fumo often introduces the play. The zhuanggu role is a male court official; it is optional in Song zaju but more vital in Jin yuanben. The zhuangdan was the lead female role.

Cat. no. 53
Zaju—Figure in the Zhuangdan Role
金代　装旦色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M3 at Huayu, Jishan county, Shanxi

A zhuangdan is someone who performs female roles and whose main task is to sing. In contemporary Chinese theater the zhuangdan role is called qingyi.

Cat. no. 54
Zaju—Figure in the Fumo Role
金代　副末色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M3 at Huayu, Jishan county, Shanxi

The fumo, a jester, is talking to a woman depicted in another brick on his right (no. 53) while pointing to his eyes with the right index finger. The scene may describe a certain plot in a narrative.

Cat. no. 55
Zaju—Figure in the Fumo Role
金代　副末色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M3 at Huayu, Jishan county, Shanxi

This figure, holding a long staff, is dressed like a fumo servant-official.

Cat. no. 56
Zaju—Figure in the Fujing Role
金代　副净色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M3 at Huayu, Jishan county, Shanxi

The fujing comic stands wearing tight leggings and a futou hat with ox-ear-shaped wings.

Cat. nos. 57-80
Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety
金代　二十四孝故事
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved bricks with pigments
Unearthed in 1981 from the Jin tomb at Nanfanzhuang, Xinjiang county, Shanxi

Found in the south wall of a tomb’s main chamber, these bricks depict paragons of filial piety. They were arranged in three rows of eight above a row depicting musicians and dancers. Filial piety is an ethical value that dominated not only the relationships in a Chinese family but also broader social interactions, politics, and education. Over time Confucian scholars compiled the stories of twenty-four paragons of filial piety. They were read by the general populace during the Jin and Southern Song periods, and their popularity continued interrupted into the Yuan dynasty. These scenes provide visual evidence for the themes of Song and Jin plays.

Cat. no. 78
Lu Ji Holding and Saving Oranges for His Mother
陆绩怀橘遗亲

Six-year old Lu Ji goes to visit Master Yuan Shu and is offered red oranges. As Lu bows to leave, stolen oranges spill out from his arms. Lu explains that he was saving them for his mother, and Yuan praises him.

Cat. no. 79
Meng Zong Crying for Bamboo Shoots in Winter
孟宗哭竹生

Meng Zong’s sick mother wanted to eat bamboo shoots one winter, when they are impossible to obtain. When Meng wanders into the bamboo forest and weeps, bamboo shoots miraculously emerge from the earth.

Cat. no. 37
Mounted Soldier in Combat
金代　士马交战
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

This is one of two brick carvings which combine to make up one composition. Appearing on each brick is a single mounted soldier dressed in full military attire and equipped with weapons; both soldiers are engaged in combat with each other.

Cat. no. 38
Mounted Soldier in Combat
金代　士马交战
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Cat. no. 39
Mounted Soldier in Combat
金代　士马交战
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

These two carvings (nos. 38 & 39) combine into a single composition. One soldier is seen fleeing while the other whips his horse in close pursuit.

The Art of Shanxi Opera
2012
Duration: 8 min. 42 sec.
Courtesy of the Shanxi Museum

This video introduces the natural and cultural heritage which cradled the lively dramatic opera of Shanxi Province. Animating the tomb decoration of the Jin, Shanxi’s popular performance tradition has thrived for centuries on opera stages throughout the region. Some fine extant theaters are showcased here with a glimpse of the dramatic arts as it continues today.

Cat. no. 89
A Brick-Carved Tomb
金代　稷山县化肥厂砖雕墓
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 2009 at Jishan Chemical Factory, Jishan county, Shanxi

This re-creation of a vaulted, single-chamber brick tomb includes forty-three painted carvings from the original tomb. Its construction and decorative features are characteristic of the underground settings for the carved bricks in this exhibition. Here, the south wall has been moved back to facilitate viewing of the interior, which imitates on a smaller scale the inner courtyard of a rich man’s wood-construction house.

The simulated architecture is relatively simple; there are no compound brackets, multiple eaves, balustrades, and upper levels such as found in more ornate tombs. It does have a heavy-looking two-panel door with projecting studs, which is typically carved on the north wall. Two attendants stand at either side of the door, while on the south wall, next to the entrance, four performers are arrayed as if standing on an elevated stage in a gate tower. The heavy door and lattice panels on the side walls suggest the interior of the house or possibly a view to another world.

The tomb was built for the burial of an unidentified husband and wife. Their bodies were brought into the tomb through the entrance on the south wall, and they were laid to rest directly on the funerary bed, an earthen platform, along the west wall. The couple lay, without coffins, with their heads beneath the stage. There they rested, as if to enjoy a play, until the tomb was accidentally discovered at the end of 2008 during excavation for the building of a workers' dormitory at the Jishan Chemical Factory.

Cat. no. 89
A Brick-Carved Tomb
金代　稷山县化肥厂砖雕墓
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick with pigments
Unearthed in 2009 at Jishan Chemical Factory, Jishan county, Shanxi

This re-creation of a vaulted, single-chamber brick tomb includes forty-three painted carvings from the original tomb. Its construction and decorative features are characteristic of the underground settings for the carved bricks in this exhibition. Here, the south wall has been moved back to facilitate viewing of the interior, which imitates on a smaller scale the inner courtyard of a rich man’s wood-construction house.

The simulated architecture is relatively simple; there are no compound brackets, multiple eaves, balustrades, and upper levels such as found in more ornate tombs. It does have a heavy-looking two-panel door with projecting studs, which is typically carved on the north wall. Two attendants stand at either side of the door, while on the south wall, next to the entrance, four performers are arrayed as if standing on an elevated stage in a gate tower. The heavy door and lattice panels on the side walls suggest the interior of the house or possibly a view to another world.

The tomb was built for the burial of an unidentified husband and wife. Their bodies were brought into the tomb through the entrance on the south wall, and they were laid to rest directly on the funerary bed, an earthen platform, along the west wall. The couple lay, without coffins, with their heads beneath the stage. There they rested, as if to enjoy a play, until the tomb was accidentally discovered at the end of 2008 during excavation for the building of a workers' dormitory at the Jishan Chemical Factory.

Cat. no. 49
Zaju—Figure in the Zhuanggu Role
金代　装孤色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick (2 pieces)
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M1 at Miaopu, Jishan county, Shanxi

This zhuanggu character, an official, wears a wingless futou hat and a belted long robe with a round collar. He tucks his hands inside his sleeves and smiles.

Cat. no. 50
Zaju—Figure in the Fujing Role
金代　副净色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick (2 pieces)
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M1 at Miaopu, Jishan county, Shanxi

The fujing character, a comic role, wears a futou hat with ox-ear-shaped wings and an added headband. He bows his head and smiles, making a humorous facial expression.

Cat. no. 51
Zaju—Figure in the Fumo Role
金代　副末色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick (2 pieces)
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M1 at Miaopu, Jishan county, Shanxi

According to the material unearthed from a number of tombs around the area, the fumo, or jester, is usually dressed up like a servant-official, wearing an official’s hat and a belted, narrow-sleeved long robe with a round collar and carrying such props as official’s tablet, long staff, and fan during the performance.

Cat. no. 52
Zaju—Figure in the Moni Role
金代　末泥色
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick (2 pieces)
Unearthed in 1979 from Tomb M1 at Miaopu, Jishan county, Shanxi

This moni, the leading male role, wears a wingless futou hat and holds an official’s tablet in his hands.

The Eight Immortals

Daoist immortals had been celebrated in folklore since the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). Eventually, a group of eight—Tieguai (Iron-crutch) Li, Zhongli Quan, Zhang Guolao, Lü Dongbin, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, and He Xiangu—became widely portrayed in the arts. These eight represent a wide range of character types: male and female, old and young, poor and lowly, rich and noble, learned and boorish. At the same time they are distinguished by supernatural powers and the ability to transform their appearance. Their stories, popularly performed in the theater, are highly imaginative and have great comic appeal. In the carvings of immortals from the Houma brick tomb 65H4M102 (nos. 81–88), He Xiangu is missing and replaced by Xu Shenweng. Perhaps the generally accepted grouping had not yet been established in the Jin dynasty.

Cat. no. 81
Cao Guojiu of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之曹国舅
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Cao Yi is known as Cao Guojiu, or Royal Uncle Cao. He is said to be an uncle of the Song emperor. However, he distanced himself from the court, hiding in the mountains or traveling about the country with his bamboo strainer. He is usually shown wearing court robes and holding an official’s tablet.

Cat. no. 82
Xu Shenweng of the Eight Immortals
八仙之徐神翁
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

This figure may be Xu Shouxin, who lived during the Song period. He was a Daoist monk who behaved bizarrely and earned the title Immortal Old Man (shenweng). He was legendary for daring to criticize Cai Jing, a prime minister of the Song, by calling him was an “evil ruler.”

Cat. no. 83
Lan Caihe of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之蓝采和
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Lan Caihe is depicted wearing a bamboo-made raincoat, carrying a bamboo basket, and holding a hoe. His origin is unknown, but he is described as an artistically talented wanderer and a handsome young man who lived precariously. He would beg and then give away all his money. He normally holds a big hardwood clapper in his hands.

Cat. no. 84
Zhongli Quan of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之钟离权
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

It is said that Zhongli Quan lived in the Tang period. Legend has it that he killed a tiger with one slash of the sword and turned a stone into gold with just one touch. Dressed in loose-fitting robes which reveal his protruding belly, he usually holds a palm-leaf fan that has magic power. He is the highest ranked figure in Daoism.

The Eight Immortals

Daoist immortals had been celebrated in folklore since the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). Eventually, a group of eight—Tieguai (Iron-crutch) Li, Zhongli Quan, Zhang Guolao, Lü Dongbin, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, and He Xiangu—became widely portrayed in the arts. These eight represent a wide range of character types: male and female, old and young, poor and lowly, rich and noble, learned and boorish. At the same time they are distinguished by supernatural powers and the ability to transform their appearance. Their stories, popularly performed in the theater, are highly imaginative and have great comic appeal. In the carvings of immortals from the Houma brick tomb 65H4M102 (nos. 81–88), He Xiangu is missing and replaced by Xu Shenweng. Perhaps the generally accepted grouping had not yet been established in the Jin dynasty.

Cat. no. 85
Tieguai Li of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之铁拐李
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Tieguai Li, or Iron-crutch Li, was a Daoist immortal who would frequently leave his body in order to travel great distances. One day his disciple accidentally cremated the body. When Li’s spirit returned, it had to inhabit the body of a lame and homeless beggar who had just died of starvation. Li is often shown with an iron crutch and a medicine gourd.

Cat. no. 86
Han Xiangzi of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之韩湘子
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Han Xiangzi, or just Han Xiang, is said to be the grand-nephew of Han Yu, an eminent writer of the Tang dynasty. Uninhibited in his youth, he lived in abject poverty. He was a skilled gardener and used magical powers to make peonies blossom in winter. The youngest of the Eight Immortals, he is always represented carrying a flute.

Cat. no. 87
Zhang Guolao of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之张果老
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Zhang Guolao, or Elder Zhang Guo, lived in the early Tang period. He claimed to be a few hundred years old and possessed various magical powers. Zhang could travel at least a thousand li per day upon his white donkey, which he would fold up like a sheet of paper. The folded donkey, depicted here, would regain its form with a sprinkle of water.

Cat. no. 88
Lü Dongbin of the Eight Immortals
金代　八仙之吕洞宾
Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
Carved brick
Unearthed in 1965 from Tomb 65H4M102, Houma city, Shanxi

Lü Dongbin, also named Lü Yan, is an historical figure at the end of the Tang dynasty. A famous Daoist master, Lü came to be worshiped as a deity. His name appears in many legends, and he may be the most famous of the Eight Immortals. He is often depicted carrying a magic sword on his back with which he helps the poor and vulnerable against evil forces.

Mural
This image depicting a curtain call is from a mural on the south wall of the Temple to the Water God, Mingying Wang, at Guangsheng Monastery in the Hongdong County, Shanxi.

The large-character inscription in the banner reads “The Taihang sanyue dramatic troupe, Zhongduxiu, performing here.”