《中国百姓故事:画册(英文)》主要内容有Themakingofanu、Mr.Beard、Thecentennialma、TheKungFuboy、ZhouZhou、"MotherHongzhi"、Grannygoestoschool、TheEnglish-learningmillowner等。
NewYearPicture(Nianhua)derivesitsnamefromtheage-oldcustomofChineseNewYeardecorations.Afascinatingandpopularartform,itinfactconstitutesaseparatebranchoftraditionalChineseainting.TheconceptofNewYearPicturereferstopaintedworksmadebylocalworkshopsandregularlypostedinsideandoutsidehomes.NewYearPictureencompassesallsuchpaintingsreflectingruralandurbanlives,handmadebyfolkartisans,aswellasthosecarvedorproducedandpaintedinlocalworkshops.FolkNewYea~"Picturepossessescolorfuldetailwithabundantculturalandhistoricalco~notations.herearefivemajorcategoriesofChineseNewYearPicturesdiscussedinthiook:DoorGods,FolkDeities,CuteBabiesandBeauties,CustomsandFestivals,StoriesandLocalOperas.Theprincipalimagesareexplainedwithbriefcaptions.MostoftheNewYearPicturescollectedinthiookaremadebyfolkmastersfromeveryareaofChina.
TheearliesttracesofChinesefolkmasks,datingbacktotheprehistoricage,havebeefounditherockpaintingsiMtHuashaofNingmingCounty,GuangZhuangAutonomousRegion,andMtYinshaofInnerMongoliaAutonomousRegion.Besides,humaimagerywearingmaskswasoftethesubjectforarchaiceartheandmuraldecorations.Itheprimitivesocieties,theearlyformsofmaskingwereusuallyconnectedwithmagicpractices,totemworship,musicanddance.Forinstance,asaritetodriveawaypestilenceithe12thmonthoftheancientlunarcalendar,theexorcisingdancewithwoodemasksappearedithelateShangDynasty(c.21st-11thcenturyBC);exorcisingactivitieswereprevailingandevebecameinstitutionalizedduringthefollowingZhouDynasty(c.11thcentury-256BC),withFangangshiasthechiefexorcist.
Chinahasalonghistoryofagriculture,sointheearlieststagesitsfestivalswereintimatelytiedupwithfarming.Today,theChinesecontinuetocelebratethesefestivals,bringingthemevenclosertotheirancestors,creatorsofasplendidculture.
Chinese folk embroidery is a type of arts and crafts for both esthetic appreciation and practical use. The embroidered works have high decorative value, often with exquisite designs, and represent Chinese folk culture and traditional spirits. Thiook collects over 200 illustrations in 39 categories of folk embroidered worky the Han, Miao, Tujia, Yao, Dong, Tibetan, Dai and Manchu peoples. The acpanying detailed introductions will allow readers to truly appreciate the magnificence of folk embroideries.
Chinese folk embroidery is a type of arts and crafts for both esthetic appreciation and practical use. The embroidered works have high decorative value, often with exquisite designs, and represent Chinese folk culture and traditional spirits. Thiook collects over 200 illustrations in 39 categories of folk embroidered worky the Han, Miao, Tujia, Yao, Dong, Tibetan, Dai and Manchu peoples. The acpanying detailed introductions will allow readers to truly appreciate the magnificence of folk embroideries.