The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou is a comprehensive cultural venue built to commemorate Tang Xianzu, one of the world’s hundred great cultural figures and a master of Ming‑dynasty drama in China. It is also one of Jiangxi Province’s ten major memorial halls dedicated to historical luminaries.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with You | An Appreciation of the Comic Series “One Hundred Illustrations of Ancient Customs” (No. 12)
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2023-03-06
Wishing you great luck in the Year of the Rabbit.
The Year of the Rabbit, Gui Mao, has arrived! All the staff of the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City extend their New Year greetings to you. Wishing you a year filled with abundant wealth, boundless good fortune, and great prosperity!
During the Spring Festival, our museum’s official WeChat account will continue to share the illustrated series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs,” showcasing the rich cultural essence and historical legacy of Chinese folk traditions, and helping you celebrate the New Year with joy!
77. Polishing the Mirror (Ming)
Polishing a mirror is the process of refining a bronze mirror. In ancient times, bronze mirrors had to be regularly polished to achieve a clear reflection.
Yet after three days, we may meet again, and I shall once more embroider a brocade pouch to polish the mirror’s surface.
— Tang Dynasty, Wang Jian, “Poem of the Mirror-Listening”
78. Pulling a Cart and Selling Wine (Qing Dynasty)
Wine is sold beneath the green shade, and all who pass are drunk on the spring’s beauty.
——Song Dynasty, Wanqi Yong, “Anping Le Man”
79. Riding a Donkey to Play Ball (Tang Dynasty)
On either side of the hall, pavilions are laid out; as the Cold Food Festival draws near, people stroll and play ball.
Half of them come forward to vie for the honor of kneeling in reverence, and upon reaching the pavilion, they are the first to offer their thanks.
— Tang Dynasty, Wang Jian, “Palace Verse”
80. Sumo (Tang Dynasty)
Punches fly and kicks fly with lightning speed—yet in the end, victory or defeat is but a matter of fate.
In the midst of chaos, there are those who can see clearly; before events even unfold, they already know.
——Song Dynasty, Shi Daochong, “Watching a Sumo Match”
81. Cuju (Song Dynasty)
On the field of cuju, it is the second month of spring; a celestial breeze descends, bringing forth two graceful beauties.
Sweat mingles with powdered cheeks, flowers glisten with dew; dust settles on moth-like brows, willow branches veil in mist.
Emerald sleeves hang low, veiling jade-like bamboo shoots; crimson skirts trail askew, revealing golden lotus blossoms.
After kicking it a few times, she was left weak with delight—how I hate those handsome young men of Chang’an!
——Qian Fu of the Ming Dynasty, “Cuju”
82. Chuiwan (Song Dynasty)
A city boy delights in striking the ball; with one swing, he sends it tumbling onto the green felt.
Even if separated by cloud‑shrouded mountain paths, the winding trail gently and deftly leads into a cozy hollow.
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Author of the comic strip series: Wang Hongli, a native of Penglai, Shandong, and a renowned Chinese comic artist.
Representative works: the picture-story books “The Fifteen Strings of Cash,” “The Fairy Matchmaker,” “Dream of the Wolf,” “Selected Stories from Liaozhai,” and “Yang Zhi Sells His Saber.”
Submissions welcome: 363036353@qq.com
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