Ding Dusai

Ding Dusai was a Chinese zaju actress of the Song dynasty, active in the Song capital Kaifeng between 1111 and 1125. Almost nothing is known about her, but a brick relief portrait of her has been discovered. It is the earliest surviving portrait of a named Chinese actor.

Written record Her name was recorded in the 1147 book Dongjing Meng Hua Lu by Meng Yuanlao. During the Qingming Spring Festival of an unspecified year, the emperor (Emperor Huizong of Song) watched six public (i.e. not palace-owned) actresses perform at the Pavilion of the Treasured Ford (, baojinlou), after watching a performance by soldiers. The actresses were: Xiao Zhu'er , Ding Dusai, Xue Zida , Xue Zixiao , Yang Zongxi , and Cui Shangshou . in regular script.

Based on her attire and other records from the period, researcher Zhang Bin has determined that Ding Dusai was a specialist in the (male) jester or fumo role (see yuanben).