The Role of Troupes during China’s the Second Sino-Japanese War-Illustrated by the Transformation of Shanxi Small Flower Opera from Folk to Nationalism

Abstract

This research explores the transformation of Shanxi’s Small Flower Opera from a folk-art form to a nationalist cultural narrative during China’s Second Sino-Japanese War, driven by the establishment of state-run troupes. The research problem focuses on understanding how these troupes facilitated the shift from folk to national discourse. Two research objectives guide the study: examining why China utilized troupes for this transformation and analysing the methods they employed. Using a case study approach and historical document analysis, the study gathers data from government reports, troupe records, and memoirs, employing content analysis to extract key themes. The findings reveal that troupes served as manifestations of state presence, enabling ideological dissemination, cultural integration, and social mobilization. The troupes not only transformed the artistic content of Small Flower Opera, removing feudal elements and incorporating nationalist themes, but also bridged state power with local communities, uniting diverse social groups including peasants and intellectuals. Ultimately, the study underscores the pivotal role of troupes in embedding state ideology within folk culture, making them instrumental in China's wartime cultural strategy.​