The Persian contribution to China

["S. L . Lee" <sllee@asiawind.com>]

Frank,

Thanks for your post on the intereaction of Persians and China during Tang
dynasty. A search of Tang history reveals that it was a great era of
east-west communication. There were conflicts and reconciliations between
Tang and the neighboring nations. Plenty of Tang sculptures demonstrated the
presence of 'Westerners' in China. Tang San Cai (three-color porcelain) so
popular in Tang dynasty has shown to use these westerners as a favorite
subject on horses and camels. In fact, I see more of them than Han people in
these porcelain figures. There is no doubt that through the Silk Road, many
of western culture came to China(Tang) including the musical instrument
Huqin (two-stringed violin), which I play a lot.

One significant point you mentioned in your article is the Persian(Iranian)
prince who was helped by Tang emperor died as a Chinese on his own request.
And he asked his people to join the Tang dynasty. As mentioned in my earlier
posts, Chinese culture is rich because of its inclusiveness. Hakka operas
also use the musical instruments Yue qin which is from the minorities in the
west. What we should recognize is there would be no Hakka or any culture if
there is no intereaction.  In preserving our heritage, we need to also have
an open mind to accept the new and foreign, turning them to our utility.
Now, no one questions about the 'China-ness' of erhu, the two-string
instrument which has more than a few dozen different derivatives used in all
kinds of Chinese music. Hakka has a migratory group is a cultural
propagator, just like the many merchants who travelled along the Silk Road
1500 years ago.  Hakka is only adamantly resistant to foreign political and
military aggression and oppression, not to benevolent cultures.  Hakkas also
called ourselves Tangren.  May be there is a reason associated with this
part of our history.

SL Lee