![]() ![]() Religious art was a major influence on the shapes and manufacture of shadow puppets. Its birth, development, and spread were closely related to religious culture. “Chinese shadow puppetry had much to do with religion. Shadow puppets are not only essential elements of stagecraft but also lovely handcrafted objects of art in their own right. Shadow puppetry is a combination of performing arts and the art of carving. It has been a popular form of entertainment in China for centuries. Earthy art that it is, shadow puppet shows impress audiences by their vividness and refinement.Shadow puppetry, one of the oldest performing arts in the world, appeared in China long before the invention of motion pictures and television. Lavish background pieces including architecture, furniture, vessels and auspicious patterns are featured in shadow puppet shows. ![]() The clown has a circle around his eyes, projecting a humorous and frivolous air even before he performs any act. The positive figure has long narrow eyes, a small mouth and a straight bridge of nose, while the negative one has small eyes, a protruding forehead and sagging mouth. Like the masks in Beijing Opera, a red mask represents uprightness, a black mask, fidelity, and a white one, treachery. The audience can tell a figure's character by seeing his mask. The design of the figures follows traditional moral evaluation and aesthetics. Scholars wear long robes with an elegant demeanor, while generals in martial attire bring to mind bravery and prowess. Effeminacy and tenderness are the norm for Chinese beauty. A woman has a thin face, a small mouth and slim body without being too plump. A man has a big head and a square face, broad forehead and a tall strong body without being too masculine. The figures all have a large head and a small body. A shadow puppet takes as many as 24 procedures and more than 3000 cuts. The flowery color, the elegant sculpting and smooth lines make shadow puppets not only props but also artwork. ![]() The faces and the costumes of puppets are vivid and humorous. To overcome the limit imposed when only the profile of puppets can be seen, shadow puppets use exaggeration and heavy dramatization. The operator plays five puppets at the same time, each of which has three threads. In one drama, as a maid sits in front of a mirror, her reflection matches her actions. For example, a puppet can smoke and breathe out a smoke ring with operator’s help. The scene is simple and primitive it is the consummate performance that attracts the audience. Shadow puppet looks similar to paper-cut except that their joints are connected by thread so that they can be operated freely. The stage for shadow puppet is a white cloth screen on which the shadows of flat puppets are projected. These ancient musical instruments enhance this ancient folk art. The singer also plays several of the over 20 kinds of musical instruments in a puppet show. This singer assumes all the roles in the puppet show, which of course is very difficult. One operates the puppets, one plays a horn, a suo-na horn, and a yu-kin, the Mandolin of the east, one plays banhu fiddle, one is in charge of percussion instruments, and one sings. Nicknamed the business of the five, a shadow puppet troupe is made up of five people. One mouth tells stories of thousands of years a pair of hands operates millions of soldiers. Shadow puppetry wins the heart of an audience by its lingering music, exquisite sculpture, brisk color and lively performance. That's why their Chinese name is piying, which means shadows of hides. They were first made of paper sculpture, later from the hides of donkeys or oxen. Shadow puppets are used in Chinese shadow play. This story recorded in the official history book is believed to be the origin of shadow puppetry. The emperor was delighted and took to it from then on. As night fell, he invited the emperor to watch a rear-illuminated puppet show behind a curtain. He made a cotton puppet of the concubine and painted it. Inspired by this scene, the minister hit upon an idea. One day, a minister happened to see children playing with dolls where the shadows on the floor were vivid. More than 2000 years ago, a favorite concubine of Wu Emperor of the Han Dynasty died of illness the emperor missed her so much that he lost his desire to reign. ![]()
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