Chinese Shadow Play

Chinese Shadow Play

Chinese Shadow Play originated in the Han Dynasty and became quite popular in the Song Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, there were 40 to 50 shadow show troupes in the city of Beijing alone.

In the Qing Dynasty, the shadow play came to maturity in Chengdu. Chinese Shadow Play combines storytelling and entertainment, and shows the style of exaggeration. In addition, it presents a unique artistic charm due to the fact that it has merged traditional forms of paper-cut, mural painting, stone carving, operas, music, etc.

The shadow puppets are brightly painted leather figures. Each puppet can be manipulated by the actor under the stage to simulate human movements. A talented actor can make puppet figures appear to walk, dance, fight, nod or laugh. Sometimes one actor can skillfully manipulate more than three puppets at the same time.

The stage for the shadow play is usually a white cloth screen on which the shadows of puppet figures are projected.

hancheng

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