Scott No: 2070-73
Serial number: T113
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: December 20, 1986
Denomination: 76 fen
Designers: Zhou Jingxin
Size of stamps:
Value 1, 4 : 30*40mm;
Value 2, 3: 40*30mm
Perforation:
Value 1, 4: 11.5*11;
Value 2, 3: 11*11.5
Sheet composition:
Value 1, 4: 50(10*5);
Value 2, 3: 50(5*10)
Print: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T113 "Ancient Chinese Sports" special stamps were issued on December 20, 1986. The set consists of 4 stamps, printed by photogravure. (4-1)(4-4) measure 30 × 40 mm, perforation gauge 11.5 × 11, 50 stamps per sheet; (4-2)(4-3) measure 40 × 30 mm, perforation gauge 11 × 11.5, 50 stamps per sheet. Designed by Zhou Jingxin and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

Traditional Chinese sports have a long history and combine multiple connotations of martial arts practice, intellectual development, competition, and leisure. This set selects four representative ancient sports—archery, weiqi (go), chuiwan, and cuju—drawing on Han dynasty pictorial stone reliefs to present the rich and diverse sports civilization of ancient China, trace the origins of sports culture, and highlight the ancients' spirit of valuing martial prowess, developing the mind, and enjoying life. It is a concentrated display of traditional Chinese sports culture.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Archery

The image shows two warriors drawing their bows and nocking arrows. In ancient times, archery was both a military martial skill and a ritual and musical art of shooting, one of the "Six Arts," and an important activity for the ancients in self-cultivation, martial practice, and competition.

Weiqi (Go)

The image depicts two people playing a game, with a board placed between them. Weiqi, called "yi" in ancient times, has a long history and emphasizes strategy and layout; it is a traditional intellectual sport combining competition and mental training.

Chuiwan

The image depicts ancients holding clubs and striking a ball. Chuiwan is similar to later golf and was prevalent during the Song and Yuan dynasties. It was an ancient club-and-ball sport that emphasized skill and etiquette.

Cuju

The image shows two women playing cuju. Cuju is regarded as the predecessor of football; it was already recorded as early as the Warring States period and became widespread in the Tang and Song dynasties. It is a highly representative traditional ball sport.

Artistic Design Features

The set draws on the art form of Han dynasty pictorial stone rubbings, with black-and-white rubbing patterns paired with antique red borders. The figures are exaggerated and heavy, and the lines are concise and rough, full of an antique epigraphic flavor. Horizontal and vertical formats alternate, the images are concise, and the antique charm is rich. This set ranked third among the world's top ten stamps selected by the Japanese magazine Yūshū and is a classic work in the JT stamps that enjoys fame overseas.