“九夏”考述

许兆昌

提 要：“九夏”是周代九大乐歌之统称。“九夏”的演奏，主要使用钟、鼓、鎛、磬等打击乐器，因而具有较强的节奏感，故在周代的礼仪活动中，多用于控制行礼者的行步之节。《肆夏》是“九夏”中的重要一篇，其演奏场合及演奏对象十分复杂，主要功能是在各种礼仪活动中用于控制行礼者的出、入之行节。同时，它还可以献享给宾客，并具有调和礼仪气氛的作用。《陔夏》之“陔”，为警戒之义。《陔夏》的演奏，主要用于宴饮活动结束时控制宾客的行步之节，防止宾客因酒醉而失礼。

关键词：“九夏” 《肆夏》 《陔夏》

Title:A Textual Research and Re-description of

Jiuxia(九夏)

Author:Xu Zhaochang, Professor, Faculty of

Humanities, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China

Abstract:Jiuxia is the general name of

the nine pieces of the court ritual music in the Zhou

Dynasty. To perform these pieces of music, mainly,

percussion instrument such as bell, drum, bo(鎛, large bell),

Qing(磬, ancient percussion instrument made of jade, stone,

or metal), were used. Since this type of music was with

strongly effect of rhythm, it was commonly played to

regulate the moving steps of the ritual performers. Among

the nine pieces of music, the one called Sixia(肆夏) is

especially important. In a very complex background and

designed situation context, Sixia was played in various

kinds of ritual events to control the performers’ proper

entry and retreat moves. Meanwhile, it was presented to the

guests with a function of bringing about atmosphere of

consonance. Gaixia(陔夏) on the other hand, usually played by

the end of a banquet meant to call upon people’s attention

about their personal behaviors since many of them would

become drank.

Key words:Ancient

music Jiuxia Sixia Gaixia