Introduction:
Huishan clay figures are one of the traditional arts and crafts of the Han nationality in Wuxi, Jiangsu, and one of the three famous specialties of Wuxi. Local artists in Wuxi made it from the black mud about one meter below the ground at the foot of the northeastern slope of Huishan Mountain. The mud is fine and soft, can be rubbed without lines, can be bent continuously, dries without cracking, has good plasticity, and is suitable for "kneading and molding" Use. Huishan clay figurines are famous both at home and abroad for their full shapes, smooth lines, bright colors and concise shapes. Their exquisite craftsmanship and perfect artistic shapes embody the wisdom and art of the ancient Han working people. Huishan clay figurines began in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. , flourished in the Ming Dynasty, more than a thousand years ago. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) reached its peak stage of development, and professional handicraft workshops began to appear in the Qing Dynasty. Dozens of clay figurine shops and more than 200 clay figurine workshops were opened on Wuli Long Street and Shangxiahetang, forming the " A street of clay figures."
There are many legends about the origin of Huishan clay figurines, but most of them cannot be verified. The following are several common legends:
①Sun Bin
According to the descendants of the famous Hu Dafang and Hu Erfang clay figurine shops in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China: During the Guangxu period of the late Qing Dynasty, there were only Chen Jusheng, Hu Wansheng and other brands. There were more than a dozen clay figurine shops in the country, and they jointly established the guild of the clay figurine industry, Shuahuo Office (now Huishan Shijia Lane). The ancestor enshrined in the palace is Sun Bin who lived in the Warring States period BC. According to legend: During the Warring States Period, Guiguzi took on two apprentices, both of whom were famous military strategists with great abilities. One was named Pang Juan and the other was Sun Bin. Pang Juan was jealous of Sun Bin and used a trick to cut off Sun Bin's knees so that he could not walk. Sun Bin fled to the State of Wu and lived in the Huishan area. He made many clay figures and clay horses to study new ways to defeat Pang Juan's Five Thunder Formation. Later, he served as a general in the state of Qi. During a battle with the state of Wei, he used the tactics studied in Huishan to defeat the Five Thunder Formation and killed Pang Juan. But his skill of making clay figures in Huishan was passed down, and from then on Huishan residents also made clay figures.
②Liu Bowen
Another popular legend is that of the great statesman Liu Bowen of the Ming Dynasty (also known as Liu Ji, a military strategist, statesman, writer, and classics expert in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties). Shi, Xiao Tianwen, proficient in the art of war) (July 1, 1311 - April 16, 1375) created the clay figurines of Huishan. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country and established the Ming Dynasty. One day, Zhu Yuanzhang sent military advisor Liu Bowen out to investigate. When he arrived at Huishan, Liu Bowen found that he had the aura of a king, and Huishan was also Longshan. I was afraid that another emperor would be born, which would be detrimental to the rule of the Ming Dynasty. In order to suppress, destroy the feng shui, and cut off the dragon's veins, he taught the people to dig at the foot of Huishan Mountain to get mud, and made clay figures to sell for money. Wuxi only produced clay emperors and clay generals, and no prominent and powerful figures. Of course he did not expect that this would leave the world with exquisite Huishan clay figurines and create a group of folk artists who are good at creating Huishan clay sculptures.