272 Beijing Opera Performers - Mi Nanwa - Number 148

Mi Nanwa

Beijing Opera - "Wenzhou Pass"

Mi Nanwa with an inverted ingot face in "Wenzhou Pass," adapted from an episode in "History of the Eastern Zhou." King Ping of Chu, misled by the calumny of a wicked official called Fei Wuji, ordered Wu She, a high official, and his whole family to be executed. Only Wu She's son Wu Yuan managed to escape and he decided to flee to the neighboring state of Wu. On the way he had to cross Wenzhou Pass. which was guarded by Mi Nanwa. Fear of being caught turned his hair and whiskers white, but this concealed his identity, enabling hin to slip through.