Zhong kui at work: A complete translation of the immortal officials of happiness, wealth, and longevity gather in celebration, by zhu youdun (1379-1439)

The development of the legend of Zhong Kui can be traced in considerable detail from the Tang dynasty onward. As a demon-chaser Zhong Kui came to play a major role in the Nuo ceremonies of New Year’s Eve. This article presents a complete translation of a script for such a Nuo ceremony at the palace of the Prince of Zhou in the early decades of the fifteenth century composed as a zaju play by Zhu Youdun 1379-1439). The play, here translated in full, not only provides a lively picture of the Nuo ceremony itself, but also provides a discussion of the nature of Zhong Kui’s divinity, a god without any temple or festival in his honor.