The choice of a theme or topic for a postage stamp says much about the country that creates it. Stamps have messages, usually political in nature, for citizens and non-citizens alike. A music theme on a stamp often celebrates a particular cultural tradition, institution, composers, or performer. It can extol a high art form, or appeal to the masses. Typically, such stamps are a way to unify the public with subtle nationalist messages.
One particular tradition of cultural pride for China, is the Peking Opera (jing ju). The theatrical form combines instrumental music, singing, dancing, acting, and acrobatics in the telling of folk stories or history. It began during the Qing dynasty (1636-1912), becoming extremely popular at the court, and eventually with a broader audience. While it began in Beijing, Peking Opera is now performed in other major cities throughout China. Taiwan, Japan, and even the United States, now have troupes that perform Peking Opera. Learn more about Peking Opera here.
Chou (Clown) Role
In Peking Opera, there are four major types of roles. These are the sheng (male lead), dan (women), jing (rough/tough men), and chou (clowns or comedic characters). The chou characters are typically secondary, or minor roles that deliver comedic relief, although sometimes they are the lead role. The word chou in Mandarin means “ugly,” and reflects the belief that the character’s ugliness mixed with laughter would drive away evil spirits.
There are two types of chou characters. First, are the wenchou characters, which are gentle characters, usually civilians like bakers or jailers. Second, are the wuchou, or martial characters. The latter are among the most demanding in Peking Opera, as they require strong acrobatic skills, even martial arts training, along with comic abilities and a strong voice. The artistic elements of each play are symbolic and not realistic. Chou characters wear special face paint, called xiaohualian.
Chou characters are associated with the guban, or the drums and clappers that are a part of the Peking Opera orchestra. The characters’ actions and singing are in time with these percussion instruments. Such characters do not often sing, but when they do their songs are traditionally filled with improvisation.
The Stamps
On February 15 2001, the People’s Republic of China issued a set of six postage stamps that feature famous chou characters from Peking Opera. The designs for the stamps were by Li Qingfa and Jieng Weije, and the stamps were printed by the Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House. Similar sets devoted to the sheng and jing characters would appear in 2007 and 2008. Eight stamps featuring the women dan roles were made in 1983. Read more in this article. The six chou characters are famous from some of the best beloved Peking Operas.
Tang Qin
Scott Number CN3085
Tang Qin is a character from the Peking Opera “Examining the Head and Assassinating Tang.” The young man admires Xue Yan, the concubine of his benefactor Mo Huaigu. Tang Qin eventually framed his benefactor for a crime. However, Mo Huaigu receive his execution. Tang Qin insists on examining the head of the corpse (hence the title). After Tang Qin manages to marry Que Yang, she ends up killing him in their marriage chamber, before committing suicide.
Liu Lihua
Scott Number CN 3086
The second stamp in this set features the martial chou figure Liu Lihua from the play The Inn at the Fork in the Road. The story is from the 11th century, during the Song Dynasty. In the story, Liu Lihua owns an inn. In an infamous scene, the warrior Reng Tanghui comes to the inn at night, and due to a misunderstanding, the two characters have a serious fight. This famous scene requires actors playing Liu Lihua to have serious training in martial arts in order to play-act the fight scene.
Gao Lishi
Scott Number CN 3087
The next stamp features the court eunuch Gao Lishi from the play “The Palace of Eternal Youth.” The play centers on the love story between the Emperor Li Longji and the concubine Yang Yuhuan. Hong Sheng wrote the story in the Qing dynasty and it is now one of China’s four great classical dramas.
Jian Gan
Scott Number 3088
Jian Gan is a civilian clown from the opera “Meeting of the Elite.” He is a staff office for General Cao Cao. In the play, Jian Gan is an emissary and diplomat who attempts to negotiate between Cao Cao and the opposing army of Zhou Yu, who was a former schoolmate of Jian Gan.
Yang Xiangwu
Scott Number CN 3089
The character of Yang Xiangwu is from the play “The Three Thefts of the Nine-Dragon Cup.” In the story, he is a martial arts master and a thief who steals the Nine-Dragon Cup from the Emperor. The exploits of the story cause Xiangwu to steal the cup not once, not twice, but three times before the end of the opera.
Shi Qian
Scott Number CN 3090
The main character in the Peking Opera “The Wild Goose Plume Armor” is the chou character Shi Qian. This warrior is an outlaw of Liangshan who has great physical abilities including the ability to easily climb walls and run across roofs. In the opera, Shi Qian is sent to the Eastern Capital of Song to steal the famous Wild-Goose Plume Armor.
Here is a good animated shortvideo about Peking Opera.
