Some of the exhibits. [Photo/WeChat account: cnsilkmuseum]

An exhibition on the ritual utensils, musical instruments, and costumes of the Kong (Confucius) Family Mansion, jointly organized by the China National Silk Museum and the Confucius Museum, recently opened.

It will run until May 26 at the Fashion Gallery of the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

Confucian culture is an integral part of traditional Chinese ritual and music culture, with Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, having dedicated his life to passing down rituals and music and influencing subsequent generations to this day.

The exhibition features nearly 100 pieces of ritual attire from various dynasties collected by the Confucius family, including 10 first-tier artifacts and five second-tier artifacts. Artifacts such as the Chenghua Kylin-patterned grand square tripod and red and black woven robes of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) are being exhibited in Zhejiang for the first time.

Foreigners visit the exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: cnsilkmuseum]

During the opening night of the exhibition, the China National Silk Museum also held the "Night of Rituals and Music" event.

Chu Hongxuan, director of the collection department of the Confucius Museum, delivered a discussion on the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) enamel wares in the collection of the Confucius Museum.

Additionally, the museum's orchestra performed ancient classics rearranged based on rituals, music, songs, and dances, including The Book of Songs, A Pair in Love, and Moonlit River in Spring. Dozens of musical instruments, such as bells, chimes, zithers, and flutes, were restored based on unearthed musical instrument artifacts.

A performance featuring ancient Chinese instruments is staged on the opening night of the exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: cnsilkmuseum]