Henan Museum, Henan province

Chu people regarded themselves as the remote descendants of the emperor Gaoyang, one of the grandsons of the Yellow Emperor. During the reign of the Chengwang emperor (1043-1021 BC) of the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC), Xiong Yi was granted by the emperor the land of Chu where he founded a state and set the capital in Danyang (today’s Xichuan county in Henan province), sparing no efforts to make his state prosperous.

During the following Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), the State of Chu annexed over 40 other states in the basins of the Han and Huai rivers and King Zhuang of Chu conquered the Jin and Zheng states and expanded his territory to the Central Plain. The consolidated national strength and diverse traditions created the distinctive Chu culture. The Danshui and Xishui river basin is the birthplace of the Chu culture and boasts a rich cultural heritage left by the Chu people.

The Henan Museum holds a permanent exhibition showcasing bronze wares unearthed from Chu tombs in Xichuan county from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) that with their gorgeous motifs and exquisite craftsmanship exude the exceptional and time-honored charms of the Chu culture.

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