With a history of over 800 years, Zhuxian Town WoodblockNew Year picturesare one of the oldest folk woodblock arts in China. Zhuxian Town is nearKaifeng, capital city in centralHenan Province.
Local people still adopt the traditional techniques to produce New Year pictures now. Zhuxian New Year Picture originated in the Song Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
There used to be more than 300 picture workshops. But they were reduced to no more than 70 at the end of theQing Dynasty.
The themes vary from portraits of martial and intellectual gods to portraits of spirits. The themes are classified into three categories: 1. Exorcisingghostsand conferring blessing; 2. Propitious gods and customs; 3. Theatrical and historical legends.
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