Zhang Jiaxun – Representative Inheritor of Dongjing Daoist Music Project in Tonghai County, Yuxi 

Background and Heritage

Zhang Jiaxun (张家训), male, of Han (汉族) ethnicity, was born in 1939 in Xiushan Town (秀山镇), Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). He is a provincial-level representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage project of Dongjing Music (洞经音乐).

Learning and Inheritance

Born into a family with a long tradition of Dongjing Music (洞经音乐), Zhang Jiaxun (张家训) began learning the art form in childhood from his grandfather, parents, and uncles, who were founders of the Miaoshanxue Women’s Dongjing Music Ensemble (妙善学女子洞经会). He not only mastered the performance of Dongjing Music but also made significant contributions to its inheritance and development.

Artistic Characteristics

Dongjing Music in Tonghai (通海洞经音乐), also known as Miaoshanxue Women’s Dongjing Music (妙善学女子洞经音乐), is a traditional music form with deep cultural roots. Originally a type of Taoist ritual music, it is named after its main content — the chanting of scriptures from The Great Cavern Immortal Scripture (《大洞仙经》). The Miaoshanxue Women’s Dongjing Ensemble in Tonghai was founded in 1943 and consisted of 18 young women who broke free from feudal norms to learn and perform multiple musical pieces.

Inheritance and Preservation

Zhang Jiaxun (张家训) fully recognizes the cultural value and importance of preserving Dongjing Music (洞经音乐). He has been actively involved in safeguarding this intangible heritage by organizing and participating in cultural events, helping more people understand and appreciate this traditional art. Thanks to the efforts of Zhang and other inheritors, Dongjing Music in Tonghai was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2008.

As a bearer of Dongjing Music, Zhang Jiaxun (张家训) has not only achieved mastery in the art but also made a profound impact in preserving and promoting this cultural heritage.

Zhang Jiaxun’s Unique Perspectives on Dongjing Music

1. Inheritance and Development of Dongjing Music

Zhang Jiaxun (张家训) believes that the inheritance of Dongjing Music (洞经音乐) is crucial. He not only excels in performance but is also committed to cultivating the next generation of inheritors. By organizing and participating in cultural activities, he brings greater public awareness to this art form. He has also introduced innovations to the traditional large ensemble style of Tonghai Dongjing Music, achieving promising results.

2. Cultural Value of Dongjing Music

Zhang sees Dongjing Music as more than just musical art; he views it as a significant carrier of cultural transmission. He emphasizes its role in promoting social harmony, believing that through performance and inheritance, Dongjing Music encourages people to reject wrongdoing and embrace virtue.

3. Artistic Characteristics of Dongjing Music

According to Zhang Jiaxun (张家训), Tonghai Dongjing Music (通海洞经音乐) embodies the qualities of harmony, serenity, elegance, and ease. It is a comprehensive art form integrating chanting, singing, instrumental performance, rituals, and ceremony. It retains the charm of Jiangnan, the style of Sichuan and Shaanxi, and the musical tones of both southern and northern traditions, while also incorporating local ethnic and folk musical elements from Tonghai.

4. Innovation and Integration in Dongjing Music

While upholding tradition, Zhang also values innovation. He has compiled local cultural anthologies such as Dongjing Music of Tonghai (《通海洞经音乐》) and Traditional Culture of Tonghai (《通海传统文化》), contributing to the dissemination and development of the art. He has also explored integrating Dongjing Music with modern musical elements to better suit contemporary aesthetic preferences.

5. Social Function of Dongjing Music

Zhang believes that Dongjing Music plays a role in fostering social harmony. It serves not only as a spiritual and emotional cultivation ritual but also as a moral guidance tool that encourages people to improve their character and conduct good deeds. Historically, this music form has been regarded as a vital means of social education.

Through these insights, Zhang Jiaxun (张家训) has made outstanding contributions not only in his technical skills but also in the preservation and promotion of Dongjing Music (洞经音乐) as an intangible cultural heritage.

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