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''Yuanben'' () was an early form of
''Yuanben'' () was an early form of Chinese opera
Traditional Chinese opera (), or ''Xiqu'', is a form of musical theatre in China with roots going back to the early periods in China. It is an amalgamation of various art forms that existed in ancient China, and evolved gradually over more tha ...
which thrived in northern China during the Jin dynasty (1115–1234)
The Jin dynasty (,
; ) or Jin State (; Jurchen: Anchun Gurun), officially known as the Great Jin (), was an imperial dynasty of China that existed between 1115 and 1234. Its name is sometimes written as Kin, Jurchen Jin, Jinn, or Chin
in ...
and early Yuan dynasty
The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...
(1271–1368). Unlike the contemporary '' nanxi'', which flourished in East China
East China () is a geographical and a loosely defined cultural region that covers the eastern coastal area of China.
A concept abolished in 1978, for economical purposes the region was defined from 1949 to 1961 by the Chinese Central Governme ...
, no ''yuanben'' play has survived. Nevertheless, 691 ''yuanben'' titles are listed in a 1366 book by Tao Zongyi. ''Yuanben'' might have been very similar to the ''zaju
''Zaju'' was a form of Chinese opera which provided entertainment through a synthesis of recitations of prose and poetry, dance, singing, and mime, with a certain emphasis on comedy (or, happy endings). Although with diverse and earlier roots, ''za ...
'' in the Song dynasty
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
which controlled southern China, and it eventually evolved into the ''zaju'' of the Yuan dynasty.
Role types
There were five role types in ''yuanben'', namely:Mackerras, p. 20. *''Fujing'' (), derived from the ''canjun'' role type in ''canjunxi
''Canjunxi'' () or ''nongcanjun'' was a popular form of Chinese performing art during the Tang (618–907), Five Dynasties (907–960), and Song (960–1279) periods. Initially a comedy duet, ''canjunxi'' became more complex and by the late Tang dy ...
'', a clown
*''Fumo'' (), derived from the ''canghu'' role type in ''canjunxi'', a jester
*''Yinxi'' (), a playleader
*''Moni'' (), an actor-director
*''Guzhuang'' (), the "mandarin" role
References
* * {{Chinese opera Jin dynasty (1115–1234) Chinese opera