Late in 705, newly enthroned emperor of the freshly restored Tang dynasty Zhongzong 中宗 （r. 684, 705-710） went to the southern gate-tower of Luoyang by chariot to observe ＂cold-splashing barbarian plays＂ （pohan ...Late in 705, newly enthroned emperor of the freshly restored Tang dynasty Zhongzong 中宗 （r. 684, 705-710） went to the southern gate-tower of Luoyang by chariot to observe ＂cold-splashing barbarian plays＂ （pohan huxi 泼寒胡戏）. Several months later, a low-ranking minister, Lu Yuantai 吕元泰, drafted a memorial, contending, ＂If governance is proper, cold will follow its proper season. Why is it necessary for naked savages to drum and dance？＂ While the Zhongzong did not cancel the performance of these ＂barbarian plays,＂ Lu Yuantai＇s criticism set in motion a decade-long debate reflecting the rapidly changing discursive terrain of ethnicity, rulership, and religion. This paper will explore the nature of the debates and the surprisingly high stakes surrounding these so-called barbarian plays （huxi 胡戏） in the early eighth century.展开更多
文摘Late in 705, newly enthroned emperor of the freshly restored Tang dynasty Zhongzong 中宗 （r. 684, 705-710） went to the southern gate-tower of Luoyang by chariot to observe ＂cold-splashing barbarian plays＂ （pohan huxi 泼寒胡戏）. Several months later, a low-ranking minister, Lu Yuantai 吕元泰, drafted a memorial, contending, ＂If governance is proper, cold will follow its proper season. Why is it necessary for naked savages to drum and dance？＂ While the Zhongzong did not cancel the performance of these ＂barbarian plays,＂ Lu Yuantai＇s criticism set in motion a decade-long debate reflecting the rapidly changing discursive terrain of ethnicity, rulership, and religion. This paper will explore the nature of the debates and the surprisingly high stakes surrounding these so-called barbarian plays （huxi 胡戏） in the early eighth century.
