Taoist Tales

I have posted this poem on the blog before, in written format, but thought I'd do a spoken version as well. It's from the 17th century Chinese myth of Hu Tianbao, a lowly soldier who fell in love with a pompous Imperial official who scorned his advances and had him battered to death. The Gods decided to transform Hu Tianbao's soul into a minor deity, Tu Er Shen the Rabbit God, and he became the patron of male love.
The temples were popular around Fujian province, before eventually being suppressed. Recently his worship has been revived and includes at least one temple in Taiwan.


Comments

  1. Lorna Smithers31 August 2014 at 13:20

    This poem is one of my current favourites of yours in print, so great to hear it spoken. Really powerful story and emotions.

    ReplyDelete

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