A Study of Traditional View of the Human Body in Chinese Dance: Verification of Body Expression Techniques Based on View of Human Body in Traditional Chinese Medicine

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K00229
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 01070:Theory of art practice-related
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: FU Sanka Tsan-Hsia 明治大学, 研究・知財戦略機構(駿河台), 研究推進員 (10795925)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 中国舞踊 / 京劇 / 身体表現 / 中国伝統身体観 / 中医学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

By focusing on the principles of makeup and basic techniques in physical expression in Beijing Opera, it became clear that traditional views of body and ideas are deeply incorporated into even the smallest expressions.
There are two major forms of makeup, which divide characters into ordinary and extraordinary ones. This corresponds to zhongyong structure, which is the standard of Chinese ethics and morality. Colors show human physiology and mental changes on the surface of the body.
The basic elements of movement expression are movement and stillness, which can be said the coexistence of exclusive expressions, and their layering and interchangeability in one body represent the yin-yang view of the universe. Flowing movements and overflowing static shapes represent the state of Qi flowing through the organs and meridians and its rhythm in traditional Chinese medicine. Physical sensations of the actor performing static expressions represent the state of Qi increasing within the body.

Free Research Field

舞踊学　中国舞踊　中国身体観

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

伝統中国身体観や中医学の視点を中国舞踊の研究に取り入れたのは本研究が初であり、中国舞踊の研究に新たな道を開拓した。伝統思想を背景にもつ中国の身体観を用いれば、表現の深部まで解釈・理解可能となり、中国には西洋の身体とは異なる独自の身体表現があることを明確にした。これにより、西洋の舞踊理論や美学の視点を中核に置いて中国舞踊を改造や発展させてゆく方法は、中国独自の身体表現を失わせ、伝承を妨げることを示唆した。これが本研究の最大の成果であると言える。