Chinese shadow puppetry history12/11/2023 So, why is the Chinese Shadow Puppetry such a big deal? Well, this art form is an important part of the Chinese culture, and the thing that makes it stand out from other things and professions of today is the fact that the relevant skills needed for puppeteering are passed down families, in the troupes, and also from the master to the pupil such that there is always a group of people that run the puppeteering shows exclusively. The level of skill and experience differ as well, and some plays feature professionals, while others are mostly made of amateurs. The main musical instruments used include flutes, drums, horns, and gongs. The smaller plays are often seen in religious rituals and small entertainment events/ needs like funerals and weddings, among others. Some have smaller troupes, though, and these often have 2-5 performers. In most cases, however, shadow plays and shows are performances that feature large troupes of between 7 and 9 performers. The master puppeteers are also skilled in carving out the puppets, which is no mean feat given the fact that some of these puppets have between 12 and 24 movable joints. These techniques include falsetto, improvisational singing, as well as the simultaneous manipulation of multiple puppets at the same time while also playing several musical instruments at the same time. To do all that, these artists have great skills, and they have also mastered the special techniques needed for the best performances. It’s interesting to note that despite the Shadow Plays being practiced for many years, most of the artists for Shadow Play are elderly, but they can still perform well, showing off dozens of the traditional Chinese plays that are either transmitted by word of mouth or available in written form. The silhouettes that make up the show are manipulated by skilled puppeteers by the use of rods, resulting in the figures giving off an illusion of moving images moving on the translucent screen made of cloth and is illuminated from the back. And to make the performances more lively, the shows are accompanied by singing and music. This type of theatre performance features acting with colorful silhouettes and figurines that are made of paper or leather. The result of the shadows cast is colorful, and this is what results in the most colorful and animated screen performances. Throughout China, the shadow puppets used are semi-transparent leather plates with semi-transparent dyes applied to them, resulting in shadows that are cast on the screen. This art of light and shadow has reclaimed its past glory, taking on new styles to pass on legends, history and culture.Chinese shadow puppetry, also called Shadow Play or palace performance, can be defined as one of the remarkable theatrical art performances common in China, involving the use of the shadows of puppets that are cast on a large screen. The Olympic Winter Games were expressed through this traditional art, which has gained new vitality in the modern world. In the days before film and television, shadow plays were the dominant means to entertain children.Īs a storytelling art that formed 2,000 years before movies, the shadow play has been embracing new elements.įor instance, these figures vividly depict ice and snow sports such as ski jumping and figure skating. Carving, painting, sewing, lacquering and other procedures are needed to create such colorful silhouette figures. The Europeans, including German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), were very impressed by the Chinese folk art. In the following few centuries, shadow puppetry reached Europe. It eventually became popular among common people in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and spread to Central Asia through commercial activities. Chinese shadow puppetry is believed to have originated in the Western Han period (202B.C.- 8A.D.) as a recreational activity for nobles. Puppeteers manipulate silhouetted figures using rods, creating the illusion of moving images.Īccompanied by music and singing, fascinating stories are told on this special stage. (ECNS) - Chinese shadow puppetry, also known as shadow play, is performed with a translucent cloth screen illuminated from behind. Special: Decoding the Culture Genes of China
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