Shadow puppetry, otherwise known as Shadow Play, was very popular during the Tang and Song dynasties in many parts of China. Shadow puppets were first made of paper dolls and then evolved to utilize thin leather dolls. That’s why the Chinese name for shadow puppetry is (皮影戏; pí yǐng xì), which means “performance with shadows of leather.”
The history of this ancient art is that one day, a minister happened to see children playing with dolls, and the shadows on the floor seemed to be really vivid. Inspired by this scene, the smart minister expanded upon this idea. He made a cotton puppet and painted it. As night fell, he invited the emperor to watch an illuminated puppet show behind a curtain. The emperor was delighted and took to it from then on. This story, recorded in an official history book, is believed to be the origin of shadow puppetry.
Shadow puppetry is very famous in China due to its soothing music, complex sculptures, bright colors, and lively performance. A pair of hands operates millions of soldiers. This is how the shadow puppeteer works. Nicknamed “the business of the five,” a shadow puppet group is usually made up of about five people. One operates the puppets, one plays a horn, another plays a fiddle, one is in charge of percussion instruments, and the last sings. This singer assumes all the roles in the puppet show, which, of course, is extremely difficult. The singer may also play several musical instruments in a puppet show. These ancient musical instruments are said to enhance this ancient folk art.
The stage for the play is a white cloth screen where the shadows of flat puppets are projected. Shadow puppets look similar to paper cut-outs except that their joints are connected by thread so that they can be operated freely and make many movements.
The Academy Gate Cultural Street in Xi’An is a great place to buy shadow puppets as souvenirs. Here, you can select from hundreds of figures in different sizes and poses, which reveal the uniqueness of an ancient Chinese art form.
Wow! It amazes me how intricate these shadow puppets are and how talented the people who operate the shows are. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful ancient Chinese art form.
I didn’t know there was five people in a shadow play. Cool!