Game of the brave: dashuhua

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Dashuhua, literally "striking iron flowers", is a traditional folk performance in Yuxian county, Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, that dazzles the spectators with a brilliant shower of sparks resembling a tree canopy. Yuxian, once an important military garrison during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is dotted with fortresses for defense, endowing the folk art with creative features.

Dashuhua dates back to an ancient industry that thrived here: weapon casting. In their daily practices, the blacksmiths found that molten iron splashed onto a cold wall burst into spectacular sparks. According to Yang Yingying, the commentator at the local Shuhua square for the performance, it evolved into a folk performance traditionally held during festivals to pray for peace and good harvests.

Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage since May 2021, dashuhua traces its origin in Nuanquan town. Historically, it was performed on the 14th day of the Chinese New Year, heralding the Lantern Festival. Today, performances are also staged on weekends and during festivals to accommodate a growing number of tourists.

Wang De, a 61-year-old blacksmith and inheritor of the five-century-old folk art in Nuanquan, has been creating the spectacular display for over 40 years. Passing through generations, the art is a family tradition that Wang hopes will continue with his descendants. "It takes two hours to prepare for a performance. From setting up the iron furnace and igniting the fire to roasting the soaked willow scoop and gearing up with protective equipment, every step requires precision and care," Wang said.

A typical performance involves a team of 12, with four performers taking the stage. Approximately 500 kilograms of scrap iron is melted in a furnace heated to over 1,600 C, with sparks squeezing from the cracks and melted iron flowing down to the vessel. Two men carry the melted iron to the stage, where performers use specially crafted willow scoops to fling the liquid iron onto the cold wall, creating a dazzling display of sparks.

Wang and his fellow artists are outfitted in protective gear, including straw hats, inside-out sheepskin jackets, special gloves and leather shoes, to shield themselves from the intense heat.

Despite the precautions, injuries are common. Wang said that art demands more than technique — it calls for courage and strength to hurl the molten iron into the air and create stunning patterns.

The performance leaves the artists' clothes peppered with holes while the audience, standing safely 50 meters away, remains awestruck by the spectacle.

However, this breathtaking art form is not without its challenges. In Nuanquan, only four inheritors remain skilled in dashuhua. According to Wu Honglin, director of the local Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, the craft is at risk as younger generations move away. Local efforts are underway to promote the tradition through tourism, education and training programs.

"It takes two or three years to learn the game of the brave from scratch," Wu said. Yet inheritors such as Wang are committed to keeping this cultural treasure alive, sharing its beauty with audiences.

Dashuhua is not just a spectacle but a testament to the courage, skill and perseverance of its performers.

Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.