A Study Of "XU Wenchang" From A Perspective Of Folklore

In Chinese culture, there is a person whose existence shows two images—one is the real historical personage living in the Ming Dynasty, XU Wei; and the other is the protagonist in many folk tales, XU Wenchang. Already, most academic researches have focused on XU Wei, who is a scholar, poet, artist and calligraphist. However, in fact, XU Wenchang and his tales have been popular among the people for generations. These tales, which contain a wealth of information about the folk culture, reflecting the features of folklore, and the wisdom, emotions and spirits of the masses, are indeed the extremely important component of the local culture. Therefore, studying "XU Wenchang" from a modern perspective of folklore and analyzing its cultural meanings and value will be very helpful to learn more, deeper and better about the local culture and masses, and will bring realistic value to the preservation, protection, promotion, enhancement, transmission, as well as the revitalization of our folk culture.XU Wenchang's tales have circulated since the Ming Dynasty and spread in a wide range of areas, even found abroad. In these tales, XU Wenchang is a quick-witted man, gifted, unrestrained and mischievous. His superb talented wisdom is praised and his uninhibited words and deeds are appreciated by the people. Actually, his temperament represents the strong nature of Yue culture, and his tricks show the will of the masses. XU Wenchang and his tales have been playing a positive role in the populace's education, entertainment and mental self-adjustment. Besides, there are many cultural details concerning the local sceneries in the tales, which make effort for the preservation and transmission of the tales, and also can be made use of in the construction and development of the local culture and economy.Nowadays, as the modern media technology rapidly developing, XU Wenchang and his tales are recorded, printed and rearranged for TV plays or local operas. Although having promoted the spread of the tales, the modern methods have been threatening the existence of them. Once taken down from the lips of taletellers, the folk tales lose its vitality, dying like the tree has its roots cutting. Therefore, to protect XU Wenchang and his tales and to ensure a sustained transmission, we need preserve the oral tradition.Because of its significance in local culture and the predicament it is in, "the Tales of XU Wenchang" has been listed on both the "Representative Lists of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" of Shaoxing City and of Zhejiang Province recently.