Investigation And Research On Xianglong Mountain Grottoes In Neijiang

Xianglong mountain Grottoes is located in the central district of Neijiang City.It was excavated in the late Tang Dynasty and extended to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.There are 80 existing niches and grottoes,43 cliff inscriptions,with rich modeling contents and distinctive features,which have important historical,religious and artistic research value.Through consulting the relevant materials and field investigation,this paper collates the detailed "general record of content" as the basic materials of the study.First of all,this paper makes a typological study on the shape,characteristics and theme combination of the niches in Xianglong mountain Grottoes,and on this basis,combined with the chronological inscriptions,makes a study of the periods and dynasties.The changes of Xianglong mountain Grottoes can be divided into five periods.The first period is in the late Tang Dynasty.The grottoes are mainly large and medium-sized niches with good geographical location.The second period is from the late Tang Dynasty to the Five Dynasties.The grottoes are mainly small and medium-sized niches,which are mainly distributed on the cliffs on both sides of the Thousand-hand Bodhisattva.The third period is in the early Song Dynasty.The grottoes are mainly small and medium-sized niches,which are mainly distributed around the reclining Maitreya.The fourth period is from the early Song Dynasty to the Southern Song Dynasty,the grottoes are mainly small niches,mainly distributed on both sides of K7 and the edge of the sculpture area;the fifth period is the works of the Southern Song Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty,and the grottoes are mainly small and medium niches,which are scattered.Secondly,this paper discusses the artistic characteristics and image sources of the characteristic themes of Xianglong mountain Grottoes.The grottoes are rich in themes and unique in style.In particular,the Thousand-hand Bodhisattva grottoes are not only exquisitely carved but also huge in scale,which are unique in Bashu area.The ten kings of the Ksitigarbha and hell have mature contents and unique layout,which can clearly see the connection with Dunhuang area.Finally,this paper analyzes the rise and fall,characteristics and origin of Xianglong mountain Grottoes.The Grottoes are closely related to the surrounding stone carvings due to its special geographical location and social background,especially with the Grottoes in Zizhong,Anyue,Dazu and other areas.On the one hand,Neijiang,as an important channel between Chengdu and Chongqing,is bound to have an impact on Dazu stone carvings;on the other hand,the peak period of development of Dazu stone carvings will in turn affect the Grottoes in Neijiang area,and finally the grottoes with local characteristics have been formed in Neijiang area.