Wanshou danshu (The Cinnabar Book of Longevity) is a 'nourishing life' (yang sheng) text composed in the Ming period (1368-1644) by Gong Juzhong. It records a far more ancient practice known as Wu qin xi (Play of the five creatures). This is a form of therapeutic gymnastics based on the mimesis of animal movements. Already described in Hua Tuo Zhuan (The Book of Hua Tuo [?-203 CE]) Hou han shu (History of the Later Han Dynasty), it probably represents a pre-Han popular tradition. This illustration depicts the secondt of the 'plays of the five creatures' - xiong xi, the play of the bear. It is performed as follows: One steps from side to side with a lurching motion, like a bear, keeping the weight toward the back of the feet. The breath must resound against the ribcage on both sides. This is done between three and five times. This sequence of movements is supposed to stretch the sinews and bones, and act as a tonic for the blood.
