The Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array
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Otherwise known as Seven-Merit Dance, The Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array, a famous court dance of the Tang Dynasty, was created by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.
According to historical records, Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was granted the title - the Duke of Qin - for his remarkable battle achievements before he ascended the throne. The tune the Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array in praise of him was popular among the army. In 627 AD, after he became emperor, Li Shimin held a banquet to which all of his court officials were invited. The tune the Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array was played for the grand occasion. After that, Li Shimin drew an illustration of dance movements based on the tune and ordered the re-composition, lyrics writing and choreographing by court artists. In the end, a grand and magnificent large-scale dance came into being.
The dance The Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array featured as many as 120 people who would perform the dance donning silver armors and wielding halberds. The dancers were drawn up in two-wing formation, as if for a battle. The dance was composed of three sections, with four arrays in each section. The movements were dominated by exchanging of stabs and accompanied by singing. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the formation of dancers was changed to sacrificial ritual styles. Since then, the dance became part of the repertoire of the Tang Dynasty sacrificial dances.
The Duke of Qin Breaks the Battle Array has been widely spread to countries like India and Japan. Even today, it is among the Japanese dances of gagaku music.
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