A Study On The Chinese Village Society And The Theatrical Performance In The Temple

This article is about the investigation and study of ancient village society and temples in Jincheng,southeast of Shanxi,and five counties that administered by it,ZeZhou,Gaoping,Lingchuan,Yangcheng,and Qinshui.These areas are historically governed by ZeZhouFu,therefore,they are uniformly called "region of ZeZhou" in the article.This paper takes temple and its theater as the research object,and uses the theories and methods of drama,religion,sociology,architecture,anthropology and other related disciplines to explore the interactive and dependant relationship between ancient village society and theatrical performance in the temple.The existence,development and prosperity of the temple theater are closely connected with the village society organization.It can be said that the village society has constructed the order of theatrical performance in the temple.At the same time,the authority of the village society,which is a kind of an ancient rural and self-government organization,has penetrated into all aspects of rural life.This article will be divided into eight chapters:the first four chapters will explore the construction of village society and temple theaters in different periods and the interactive situation of theatrical performance based on the time order of Song,Jin,Yuan,Ming,Qing Dynasties,which has been supported by field surveys and inscriptions;the worship of God Rain and the theatrical performance of ancient carnival are popular during Song and Jin Dynasties.During the time of Jin and Yuan's changeable generation,"Zhenyou Warfare" appeared.The transformation of village society and temple theater and the prosperity of village society began and theatrical performance in the temple reached its acme in Ming and Qing Dynasties.Chapter 5 discusses the economic conditions of ancient village society and the ups and downs of theatrical performance in the temple;Chapter 6 focuses on specific case studies.First of all,it discusses the belief of Ma Xian'gu,and then discusses the authority interaction between "society","association",power,clan force and village society and its theater based on the case of Kangying Village society;Chapter 7 takes the inscription of opera as the object,attempting to present the construction of theatrical performance of village society pictured by the group of inscription composers;Chapter 8 elaborates on the ancient beliefs to opera and God,the construction of the classes and the remained materials of theatrical performance in the temple in village society of Region of ZeZhou.This article starts from the perspective of village society tradition and discusses the historical changes of theatrical performance in the temple in Region of Ze Zhou.The article avoids not only indulging in the generalization of the meaning of "village society",but also simply sorting out and listing the remained information of temple and its theater.It aims to explore the interaction between the two and enrich the research on temple theater and the ecology of its theatrical performance.The author hopes to make the following contributions.1.To clarify the new order of manitou worship caused by the establishment and spread of God Rain in Region of ZeZhou in Song and Jin Dynasties.In addition,with making the belief to God Rain a link,the interaction among village societies became frequent,and the sacrificial theatrical performance activities around these temples got flourished and diversified and the theatrical performance venues had been generally established.2.To depict the ups and downs of village society and the changes of the temple theater under the background of great historical changes.The "Zhenyou Warfare"during Jin changing into Yuan,the "Ding-wu Famine Disaster" in the late Qing Dynasty,and the ancient frequent floods and droughts in Region of ZeZhou all made a huge impact on village society and theatrical performance in the temple.Of course,the effect is dialectical.Regardless of whether it is discussed from the perspective of social history or from the perspective of drama,we should not ignore.3.The Confucian tradition of "Cheng Hao governing Jin" in Region of ZeZhou is an important aspect of the history of ZeZhou.It has been included in the new construction system of Mongolian Yuan regime after the post-war,and this tradition has also laid a far-reaching effect on temples and theatrical performance.The criticism of theatrical performance of carnival and the discussion of such phenomenon as "popularizing sacrificial sacrifices against social etiquette,admiring musical performers" and even the establishment of drama stage should also base on the background of Cheng Hao's move.4.During Ming and Qing Dynasties,temple theater in Region of ZeZhou had made great achievements.Village society authorities showed more theater thinking in the construction of the theater,and had created prosperous,diverse and humane village society temple theaters and theatrical performance order in Ming and Qing dynasties.5.To make it clear that temple theatre and its theatrical performance activities are closely related to folk beliefs,village society organizations of "society" and "association",clan groups,etc.,and are affected by the multiple influences of village society Fengshui,village society community economy,village society regulations,and folk gentry.The connotation of the theater and its theatrical performance is very rich and flexible.6.Exploring the folk gentry's idea of the construction of temple from the temple inscriptions has demonstrated the independence value of opera inscriptions.The inscription is not only a statement of theater construction,but also full of the emotion of the writers and the ideal construction of the temple theater.These ideals might have been partially realized,or perhaps they have only stayed on the icy surface of the inscription,however,the theater history written by people is still an indispensable angle to study temple theater in village society.7.To comb the Gods of the opera industry in Region of ZeZhou,the organization' of the classes and the theatrical performance materials,and to interpret the living condition and social status of village society performers.Villagers and performers are not the polar opposites of behaved people and pariah.Villagers acknowledged the etiquette of music performed by them in temple during the sacrificial ceremony;at the same time,the musical groups were also frequently involved in the sacrificial offerings in temple to find a sense of identity,to shape their core beliefs,to form their industry links and to pursue their social status.In addition,this article will also elaborate on some specific issues,such as "Wall of the Temple",Private Room"," Drama Suspension ",and "Carnival Inscription",etc..