ABSTRACT
Suzhou is an ancient city located in the delta of China's longest river, the Yangtze. Long ago the capital of the state of Wu, the city became known for its scenic canals, gardens, and temples as well as its silk and handicraft industries. By the fifteenth century it was a major center for the arts, literature, and popular entertainments. Among these entertainments were two closely related styles of professional storytelling still popular among older people today. Both are performed in special story houses where audiences, mostly retired males, gather daily to listen to the performances while they sip green tea. Besides Suzhou, the arts have a following in Shanghai, Wuxi, and other cities and towns in the region.
