The Spread and Evolution of the Pipa on the Silk Road: Instrument Form and Musical Memory in Cross-cultural Flows

This study focuses on the dissemination and evolution of the pipa along the Silk Road, exploring the formation of its form, function, and cultural significance. The pipa integrates elements from Persia, India, and the Central Plains, exhibiting technical adaptation and cultural empowerment under the influence of Sogdian caravans, Buddhism, and the Japanese envoys to Tang China. The research points out that innovations in the pipa are related to Tang dynasty ritual music and political integration, with its musical functions reflecting social changes, and its symbolism embodying cross-cultural power and the politics of memory. The paper proposes a "material culture turn" paradigm, emphasizing the pipa's role as a witness to the fusion of civilizations along the Silk Road, providing historical references for intangible cultural heritage revitalization and civilizational dialogue.