It is correct to say that the pipa is the musical instrument that appears most frequently in Dunhuang murals.

1. The origin of pipa

It is a representative instrument among plucked instruments. The word pipa has been recorded in literature as early as the Han Dynasty. It was first written as loquat or pibao, and later in the glyph It is similar to Qin and Se, so the calligraphy is Pipa.

Among the murals in the Dunhuang Grottoes, the pipa has the largest number of figures. In the Mogao Grottoes alone, there are more than 700 pipa paintings. .

2. Famous allusions

The music painting of Cave 112 excavated in the Tang Dynasty shows Ji Letian lifting her legs and twirling to the accompaniment of fairy music, with her skirt flowing and her arm bracelets swaying. The right hand is holding the pipa behind the head, while the delicate jade fingers of the left hand are caressing and slowly plucking the strings. In an instant, it seemed as if the whole heaven was moved.

3. The Art of Pipa

The rebounding posture is not convenient for playing, but since it is used as a dance instrument, its function of playing music is weakened, and then through the imagination and artistic processing of the painter, It highlights the graceful posture, superb skills and unique shape of the maiko, which can be said to have a unique charm.

The history and dance movements of rebounding pipa:

1. The history of rebounding pipa dance

The rebounding pipa dance appeared in large numbers in Dunhuang murals after the mid-Tang Dynasty. Dance Historical researchers speculate that it was introduced during the Tubo rule in Dunhuang. It cannot be ruled out that the original music and dance of the nine surnames of Zhaowu in the Western Regions may have dance movements that bounce off musical instruments to show the dancers' superb skills.

The bouncing pipa dance on the south wall of Cave 112 of the Mogao Grottoes was painted in the mid-Tang Dynasty. There are three accompaniment musicians on each side of the dance feast, with slender eyebrows, beautiful eyes, small cherry mouths, and different expressions.

2. Dance movements of rebounding the pipa

The maiko's upper body leans forward to the right, her left leg stands, her right leg bends her knee, her thigh is raised, her feet are hooked up, and her thumb is raised hard . Wear a long scarf over your shoulders, carry the pipa behind your head, press the strings with your left hand, and bend the right hand behind the speaker to plucking the strings. The dancer has a high bun on her temples, a plump and round face, and a gentle and gentle expression.

The bouncing pipa is the most beautiful dance in Dunhuang art. It is strong and stretched, fast and harmonious. The bouncing pipa is actually playing music and dancing at the same time. It elegantly and charmingly concentrates superb playing skills and wonderful dancing skills on the shoulders of this dance position.