Historical Evolution of Good Books in Hanchuan

Good books are an important part of Han folk literature. Based on the analysis of the storytelling figurines unearthed from the ancient tomb in Tianri Town, Sichuan Province, it germinated as far away as the Han Dynasty, and in the Tang Dynasty, there appeared a style of parallel prose, common sayings and rich rap. Since Song and Yuan Dynasties, the types of rap literature have been expanding day by day. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, books praising good deeds were published all over the world. In the Qing Dynasty, good calligraphy developed from desk literature to singing literature, resulting in good calligraphy and quyi, which was popular in the provinces of the Eight Banners Zhili, and then declined in the north and flourished in the south. In addition to Wuhan, Xiaogan, Jingzhou, Huanggang and other cities and counties popular in Hubei, there are also artists engaged in such publicity activities in Shanghai, Chongqing, Kaifeng, Henan, Wanxian, Sichuan and Tianjin, Hunan. After the founding of New China, southern good books gradually disappeared, but artists from Hanchuan, Caidian, Xiantao and other places in Hubei inherited and developed this genre, and gradually formed Hanchuan good books centered on Hanchuan.

The reason why good books take root, blossom and bear fruit in Hanchuan is because Hanchuan is a region where water meets water in history. From the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, nine Tianjin branches were opened on both sides of the Xianghe River, which merged into the Hanshui River. The water town has gradually turned into a plain, and the people have gradually changed from fishing to farming. Their lives are becoming more and more stable, and their requirements for culture and education are becoming more and more urgent. During the Daoguang period, the imperial edict was gradually replaced by the folk propaganda of filial piety, family harmony, neighborhood friendship and emergency rescue. At first, it was only preached around the Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, and then it gradually developed into a regular activity, which can be preached in fields, streets, teahouses and restaurants, and is very popular among villagers. 1936 or so, from the countryside into Wuhan and other towns.

Because Good Book is a narrative style, it doesn't need makeup like drama, and its form is simple and easy to inherit, so it was quickly accepted and developed into a genre of Hanchuan Quyi.