Suzhouwas once the most prosperous region of the Chinese Empire. In addition to the region's economic prosperity, it also produced scores of Chinese intellectuals and artists. Beginning in the 16th century, Taohuawu woodblockprintingplayed an integral role in this area's cultural heritage and history.
Taohuawu prints of Suzhou were first made during theMing Dynasty(1368-1644), in a workshop on Suzhou's Taohuawu Street. They were most popular during theQing Dynasty(1616-1911).
Yangliuqingprints ofTianjin, Zhuxianzhen of Henan, Yangjiabu of Weifang, Shangdong, and Mianzhu of Sichuan, were known collectively as the five folk New Year wood block prints of China. These prints, hung during the ChineseSpring Festivalcelebration, take the forms of door, central and hanging scrolls. Their bold patterns in forceful lines and bright colors like scarlet, peach, yellow, green and purple are highly decorative.
Themes of Taohuawu prints include stories of the Unicorn, which represents good fortune, and images posted on the front door of a house to ward off evil spirits. The themes of the four stamps are : Playing love songs on thePipa, the Unicorn bestowing a boy-child, Liu Hai playing with a gold Toad, and the ten beauties playing football.
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