Hanchuan Shanshu revives ancient storytelling art

A Hanchuan Shanshu performance. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Shanshu is a traditional Chinese folk art form that combines rhythmic verse with prose, integrating storytelling and singing. 

As early as the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Shanshu texts were issued, printed, and distributed nationwide. 

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Shanshu evolved from a literary form for reading to a performing art of storytelling and singing. It emerged as an independent folk art genre with its own distinctive tunes and melodies. 

Its artistic style is characterized as dignified, refined in taste, pleasing to the ear, emotionally moving, and structurally complete. 

Initially, Shanshu was popular in provinces under the direct jurisdiction of the Eight Banners system, a distinct social organization system within Manchu society during the Qing Dynasty.

Later, its popularity declined in northern China but flourished in the southern regions, gaining widespread popularity in places such as Sichuan, Hubei, and Shanghai. Following the founding of the People's Republic of China, Shanshu declined. 

Currently, only folk artists in Hanchuan city, Hubei province, have inherited and developed this art form. Through continuous reforms and innovation, this art form has gradually evolved into the uniquely styled Hanchuan Shanshu.