Spirit Away 游神

Spirit Away "Youshen" is a traditional folk activity prevalent in the southeastern coastal regions of China, particularly concentrated in areas like Southern Fujian and Eastern Guangdong. Its history can be traced back to ancient religious beliefs and folk traditions, including witchcraft, Confucianism, and Taoism. Over time, Youshen has developed diverse performance styles and ritual ceremonies unique to different regions.

Local believers spontaneously organize and conduct grand Youshen processions during festive occasions like New Year or the birthdays of various déities, expressing reverence and prayers to the gods. During these activities, organizers invite the maun deity statués from temples into sedan chairs and parades them through the streets, receiving worship and prayers from the faithful.

Participants in the processions don elaborate costumes-and makeup resembling various deities or legendary figures, known locally as "Tagu" divine generals. Tagu usually appear in pairs during the procession, accompanied by smaller "servant" figures who act as their attendants, with the festivities lasting from morning until night.

The fireworks and bursting firecrackers during the procession seem to serve as a bridge between the heavens and earth. blurring the boundaries between gods and humans. For locals, it's the closest they feel to the divine, akin to a joyous dance with the gods, As a "living tradition," Youshen not only serves as a significant ritual for local communities to seek divine blessings but also serves as an emotional bond that strengthens cian cohesion, thus explaining its enduring presence.

游神是盛行于中国的东南治海地区，并集中在闽南和粤东等地的传统民闻信俗活动，其历史可以追溯到古代的巫术、儒教、道教等各种宗教信仰和民同传统。在漫长的发展过程中，游神在这片土地上逐渐形成了地区各异的表澳形式和祭祀仪式。当地的信众会在新年等喜庆节日或诸神寿诞之日时，自发组织并举行规模盛大的游神巡境，表达着人们对神灵的敬仰和祈愿。

在游神的活动中，组织者会将供奉在庙宇里的主神神像请进神轿，并抬出神庙，治途巡游，接受信众们的膜拜与祈祷。那些游行队伍中身着华丽的服装，化妆成各种神灵或传说中的神像们，当地人称之力“塔骨”神将，外出巡游时，塔骨通常成对出现，走在前方较为矮小的“马夫”会作为神捋的配角为其护驾，这场盛宴会从早晨持续至黑夜。

巡游时绽放的烟花和到处飞渺的鞭炮，像是连接天界的一条纽带，模糊了神明与人之间的边界，对当地人来说那是他们在每年离神明最近的一天，如同一场与神共舞的狂欢。而游神作为一种“活的传统”，不仅是地方民众祈请神佑的重要仪式，同时也是维系宗族共同体凝聚的情感纽带，这也是游神能够延续至今的缘由。

Please note: This is a 2-book set sold for a single price.

Language: English, Japanese
Format: Softcover | 132 pages
Dimensions: 210 x 150mm | 365g
Publication Year: 2024
Edition: 150 Copies