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The lost tradition of burning Goushi joss sticks
By Qian Naizhi and Pan Zheng |
December 26, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EACH year on the 30th night of the seventh lunar month in ancient times, families in Nanxiang Town, Jiading District would burn joss sticks, which was called Dizang Joss Stick or Goushi Joss Stick, in their courtyards. But nowadays, this tradition is no longer followed.
Goushi has a similar pronunciation to Jiusi - the nickname of Zhang Shicheng, the leader of a farmer insurrectionary army at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Actually, burning Goushi Joss Sticks is a way to commemorate him.
Zhang was a native of Baijuchang Town in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, and worked as a salt dealer. In 1353, he could no longer stand the oppressing officials and landlords and inspired a revolution. Since he was kind and often helped others, many salt workers supported him and his army soon occupied Taizhou, Xinghua and Gaoyou.
Gradually, Zhang occupied Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and claimed himself "King of Wu." Wherever Zhang reached, local people could live a safe and happy life. He was favored a lot by the residents on his land.
However, Zhang was defeated by Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, generals of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He was escorted to Nanjing and hanged himself on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month.
Nanxiang people, like those in many other places, used to benefit from Zhang and missed him a lot. Therefore, they figured out a way of burning Goushi Joss Sticks to commemorate him.
Goushi has a similar pronunciation to Jiusi - the nickname of Zhang Shicheng, the leader of a farmer insurrectionary army at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Actually, burning Goushi Joss Sticks is a way to commemorate him.
Zhang was a native of Baijuchang Town in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, and worked as a salt dealer. In 1353, he could no longer stand the oppressing officials and landlords and inspired a revolution. Since he was kind and often helped others, many salt workers supported him and his army soon occupied Taizhou, Xinghua and Gaoyou.
Gradually, Zhang occupied Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and claimed himself "King of Wu." Wherever Zhang reached, local people could live a safe and happy life. He was favored a lot by the residents on his land.
However, Zhang was defeated by Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, generals of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He was escorted to Nanjing and hanged himself on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month.
Nanxiang people, like those in many other places, used to benefit from Zhang and missed him a lot. Therefore, they figured out a way of burning Goushi Joss Sticks to commemorate him.
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