A Study On The Shoe Shapes In The Frescoes Of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes In The Early Tang Dynast

Through a careful study of the typical shoe shapes that appear in the frescoes of 10 caves in Mogaoku, Dunhuang, namely, Cave 220, 323, 334, 431 of the Early Tang Dynasty and Cave 103, 130, 445, 45, 217 and 148 of the Prime-Tang Dynasty, this paper makes a textual study on and tries to prove the authenticity of the above mentioned shoe shapes and meanwhile it expounds their historical developments, on the analysis of the evolvement of shoe shapes.The first part successively illustrates the subjects, technical terms, present situation, purpose and significance of the study and the approaches to carrying it out. It shows that the study of the shoe shapes of the Early Tang Dynasty seen in the frescoes of Mogaoku can reach the areas that our predecessors never set foot in or else it can get better displayed in areas our predecessors did not dug deep enough. And it points out that through the analysis of and the textual study on the authenticity and diversity of the shapes of shoes in the frescoes of Mogaoku and by tracing their original sources, we can have a better understanding of the costume culture of our nation.The second part makes a study on the shapes of five high-headedshoes of the Pre-Tang Dynasty seen in the frescoes of Mogaoku, such as "Zhongtailv" "Congtoulv" "Xiaotoulv" , "Fenshaolv" , and"Yuntoulv",traces their origins, makes a comparative study of the materials of other shapes and proves their authenticity. The above mentioned five high-headed shoes were quite commonly seen at that time.The third part makes a study of "Wupixue" which appear in the frescoes of the Pre-Tang Dynasty and on the basis of the exploration of its development and evolution, it compares this kind of shoes with other shoe shapes in Tang Dynasty, and proves its authenticity."Wupixue" were all the fashion in the Tang Dynasty, and everybody wore them, be they rich or poor. This is largely reflected in the frescoes of Dunhuang.The fourth part of this paper makes a study of "Caoxie" and "Maxie". While exploring their historic development, it compares them with other shoe shapes of the Tang Dynasty, has proved their authenticity. Furthermore, it makes some exploration of their concrete materials.The fifth part constitutes the conclusion. By studying the eight comparatively typical shoe shapes, the author holds the viewpoint that they were the shoe shapes that were really in existence at that time. The shoe shapes of the Early Tang Dynasty that appear in Mogaoku, Dunhuang were the miniature of the social morel and costume culture then. The frescoes, as picture material, can make up for the deficiency ofliterary accounts. From the differences of shoe shapes shown in the frescoes of the Pre-Tang Dynasty, we are able to tell the great contrast between people of different social status. Aside from this, it is much more difficult to figure out the materials of the shoes than analyze their shapes from the frescoes. But on the basis of literary document we can exercise a comprehensive analysis and make a general deduction according to the identities of the figures or characters and the settings they are in, as can be seen in the frescoes.