The Cultural Study Of The Jinbei Tao Tsing Types

TaoTsing(a form of folk art), as a form of dramas representing the Taoism, is one of the oldest and the most influential dramas in China. It is found in more than 20 provinces and directly-under-the-Central-Government municipalities. Its various types tell the difference among folk-customs, languages and music in more than half part of China. So it is a unique drama.Among the various types of TaoTsing, the famous one is the Taotsing in the northern part of Shanxi province. Under the influence of the religious, cultural and historical factors of the area, TaoTsing has become very popular, which is of the local characteristics. The son of TaoTsing and the above factors is called "Jinbei TaoTsing"(Jinbei just means the northern part of Shanxi province, because the shortened form of Shanxi is Jin and Chinese character "Bei" means north). At the early stage, Jinbei TaoTsing was covered with a heavy religious shell and was esteemed to be "the drama of the Gods". Although Jinbei TaoTsing has now broken the fetters of Taoism and its words have become coverall, the religious vestige can still be seen from the accompanying musical instruments and the list of plays. This is not only the basis of the study of the Jinbei TaoTsing historical and cultural evolution, but also the evidence of the study of the traditional, cultural development of China. Some plays of Jinbei TaoTsing directly reflect the Taoist thoughts and also the culture of Jinbei TaoTsing is the reflection of the Taoist thoughts.Jinbei (the northern part of Shanxi province) has countless ties with Taoism and Jinbei TaoTsing has existed for a long tine with its own brilliant rural characteristics, but the study of its folk-traditions, religious importance, and the exploration of the cultural value have never been done. By the means of the cultural study of the drama types, this dissertation will deal with Jinbei TaoTsing under the background of the local culture. The goal of this dissertation is to give an in-depth, delicate and comprehensive study and to further understand the cultural significance and value of TaoTsing and its culture, Taoism and its culture, Jinbei TaoTsing and its culture, Jinbei culture. If a little contribution is made to the study of the drama types and the study of its culture in Shanxi province, the author will be greatly satisfied.This dissertation is divided into three chapters. The first chapter addresses the factors of the arising and development of TaoTsing, i.e. the music of Taoist temples, the expanding influence of Taoism, the Taoist tenets propaganda and the well-developed musical art, etc. All these factors have induced the birth of TaoTsing. Then this chapter gives the conclusion that the arising and development of TaoTsing is dependent upon that of Taoism.The second chapter addresses Jinbei TaoTsing one branch of TaoTsing. Because of the innate religious nature of TaoTsing and the local traditions and folk-customs of northern part of Shanxi province, the characteristics of Jinbei TaoTsing have been set. All these characteristics are embodied through two aspects: the first, the theme of plays of Jinbei TaoTsing, the second, its coverall multi-layer structure.The third chapter addresses the development and protection of Jinbei TaoTsing. Based on the on-the-spot investigation of the ups and downs of the Youyu TaoTsing troupe (the key troupe in this TaoTsing base in Youyu County), this chapter analyses the interactive relation between the social environment and the survival of a TaoTsing troupe. This will give a very pragmatic guide to the protection and development of the traditional dramas.