Fusion of past and present: The creative journey behind "Five Stars Rising from the East"

I found myself pondering a central question when creating this work: How can a grand historical theme resonate with the audience? The answer lies in returning to the essence of humanity – the timeless, warm bond between people that transcends the ages.

Photo of Xu Rui, playwright of "Five Stars Rising from the East," during an exclusive interview with Guangming Online.

The inspiration came from a brocade armband inscribed with the phrase “Five Stars Rising from the East Benefits China.” Discovered in 1995 in an ancient tomb at the Niya Ruins in Xinjiang, this artifact originated in Shu (modern Sichuan) but was unearthed in the Western Regions – a vivid reflection of the cultural interplay between the Central Plains and the Western frontier. Remarkably, its colors remains vibrant, its patterns crisp, as though it had defied time itself. Some joked it seemed newly buried. I prefer to see it as history’s endowment to us – a bridge across two millennia that tells the story of cultural exchange between East and West. The brocade carries profound symbolism. In ancient times, the alignment of five planets in the eastern sky was seen as a celestial omen of prosperity for the nation. This artifact is not only a masterpiece of Han-dynasty weaving but also a testament to the rich cultural dialogue along the Silk Road. Yet, while the brocade’s grandeur captivated me, I was deeply moved by another humble artifact – a simple wooden slip from the Han dynasty. On it was inscribed: “Feng respectfully offers jade to Chunjun, hoping she will never forget him.”

The message’s simplicity is striking. A man named Feng sent a piece of jade as a token of affection, asking Chunjun not to forget him. Initially, Chunjun was imagined as a Han woman, but subsequent research led to her identification as a woman from the Western Regions, who was given a Han name due to her longing for Eastern culture. This shift honored historical context while adding layers of cultural symbolism to the narrative. Such an unassuming note carried a warmth that lingered with me – a moment not of epic grandeur, but of enduring tenderness. The purity and sincerity of emotion embody what I call the “truth of art,” which is exactly the heartbeat of the dance drama.

I wove these details into the choreography, intertwining the grandeur of history with intimate human emotions. Though a work of artistic fiction, every scene of the drama is deeply rooted in historical soil. We tell the story of a Han general and the son of a tribal leader from the Western Regions who, lost in a desert sandstorm, are rescued by monks of Jingjue City. There, the general meets Chunjun, a pure and radiant young woman from the Western Regions. Through shared trials, hostility gives way to understanding, and ultimately, reconciliation. The shared humanity is the soul of the drama.

Throughout the creative process, I realized our goal was not simply to reimagine history but to infuse it with warmth – to revive not only the splendor of the Han dynasty on stage but also the enduring human connections that give it life.

“Five Stars Rising from the East” represents a bold artistic journey across time and space, which led me not only through the cultural relics of the Han dynasty but also to build a bridge between past and present. The brocade and wooden slip are the footprints of the ancients; yet the stories we tell on stage are our own.