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Buddhism became the first large-scale missionary movement in the history of world religion. Brought from India, it expanded with the establishment of monasteries along the Silk Road. These monasteries afforded merchants and travelers places to stay as they traversed from place to place. Other religions also spread along the trade route including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Manichaeism, and Zoroastrianism.

China’s search for a breed of large, strong horses – replacing their pony-like horses – capable of carrying armor-clad men into battle was instrumental in the formal establishment of the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. The success of the trade routes led to the necessity of policing it to thwart the bandits who came to plunder the caravans of goods traversing it. This was partially overcome by building forts and defensive walls, including sections of the Great Wall, along part of the route. Settlements were established as well though mostly in the oasis areas. By the time of the Tang Dynasty, which was known for its internal stability, the use of the horse had expanded beyond the military to that of commerce, entertainment, and sport, including polo, which though referred to as the “emperor of games” and the “sport of kings,” was played not only by royalty but by officials and the upper classes, by men and women alike. After the Tang Dynasty, the traffic on the road subsided as neighboring states again plundered the caravans.

The demise of the Silk Road owes much, too, to the development of the silk route by sea. It was becoming easier and safer to transport goods by water rather than overland. Ships had become stronger and more reliable, and the route passed promising new markets in Southern Asia. Storage jars made in China and Vietnam such as the sampling here of 8 of the 570 found on the wreck of the San Diego, a Spanish galleon converted to a cargo ship, contained preserved food, grain, and fresh water.

Such was the Silk Road and such is Bismuth’s painting of its history and culture.

The head of the Bodhisattva with her beautiful expression and the remaining fragment of her sumptuously ornamented diadem was found in the ruins of Longxingsi, “The Temple of the Dragon Awakening,” in the Shandong province. It is from the Northern Qi dynasty (550 C.E. to 577 C.E.).

The horse is made of terracotta and is from the Tang Dynasty. It was during this dynasty that China reached its apex.

Thus, united herein in Henry Bismuth’s Silk Road are unique segments of its history. While each of the images represents the then, together the whole they create renders an assemblage linking centuries and cultures into the present tense. This is what Bismuth intends. This is his goal. . . to revitalize, to transform, to make us go beyond our conventional thinking, to explore, to see. . . to “link world’s neighborhoods.”

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About Mulan The Musical  –  Good News admirers  the show at the Peter Sharp Theater.  Show is there until January 13, 2013. 

The story of Mulan was happened 1600 years ago–Han dynasty. Mulan is the eldest child of the family. She likes practicing kongfu. At that time, each family is given a conscription notice, requiring one man from each family to join the Chinese army. When Mulan hears that her elderly father, the only man in their family and also ill, is forced to join the army, she decides to stand in his place, disguising herself as a young man. Her Father learns that Mulan has taken his place and prays to his family’s ancestors to protect her.

Mulan conceals her true identity and defends her country dressed as a man, when the war ended, the Khan would reward her, then her secret is revealed. Her loyalty to the Khan and parents is highly praised by the people and becomes a legend.  http://www.mulanthemusical.com/

About play

Based on traditional Chinese drum music and other innovated method, which combines with Chinese music, drum music, kongfu, dance and variety of art forms, Red Poppy Ladies’ Percussion creates the musical play “Mulan”.

Features of Mulan

1, Mulan is different from a traditional musical mainly presented by singing, dancing and dialogue. It is a Chinese music and drumming musical with a new music form to tell a movable story.
2, Presenting audiences a strong and particular impression on Chinese music, drumming language and rhythms;
3, All performers or artists in play are young women. They are professionally trained on percussion and Chinese drum technique. Red Poppy is an unique drumming team in the world.
4, The Mulan is created bass upon an ancient Chinese story 1600 years ago which was also used by Disney and gave a basic understanding to the world people.
5, Specially present the typical Chinese ancient instrument, Fou which was shown to the whole world in Opening Ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic;
6, One of important creative point is the combination of drumming and Chinese kongfu presentation which melts richer visual entertainment to the hearing of audiences.
7, Even though the story is from old time, it will specially remind young people something important to the life and need to be kept in any country and any time: loyalty and filial devotion.

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