中国老游艺说趣 (Introduction to Traditional Chinese Recreation)

Description

爱玩，是人之天性。自小及长，每个年龄段，都有不同的玩项。不同文化背景的人，也有不同的玩法。古语说"玩物丧志"，那是指毫无节制、章法的邪玩。中国是个传统文化深厚的礼仪之邦，即便是玩，也讲究有情、有理、有趣、有品位。玩而不弃正业，合乎情理之度，也不离礼义之规。岁月流变，有的游艺活生生地保留下来，有的则消逝了。它们或源自原始初民的狞猎和农耕形态，或是最早的祭祀和宗教活动，或有民俗节日的底蕴，或来自传统文艺的延伸和变异...... (Every one is craving for fun. People, in different ages and with various backgrounds, have a variety of ways of playing. The old saying "excessive attention to trivia sapping the will" refers to reckless and uncontrolled way of seeking pleasure. China is a country with profound traditions of ceremony and decorum. Thus, Chinese have attached great importance to rational, disciplined, and elegant recreation, so as to restrain it in a rational extent and not to interfere with one's daily obligations or break rules. Some traditional Chinese recreation has been preserved while others are lost throughout the history. Some pastimes can be traced back to hunting, farming, sacrifice or religious activities of the primitive; while others may come from traditional festivals and literature & art.)