Shadow play is a traditional form of entertainment that has been around for centuries. It was one of the first Chinese arts to be shown to the Western world.
It’s said that over 2,000 years ago, the practice started with Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty. He was very sad after his favorite concubine (妃子) passed away. To comfort him, one person created a puppet (木偶) that looked like the concubine out of cotton and silk. The person then used a cloth to show the emperor the puppet’s shadow. It looked like the concubine and made the emperor feel like he was seeing her spirit. This is believed to explain how shadow play began.
In shadow play, three to five artists control puppets behind a see-through white cloth screen. This creates a beautiful mix of opera, music, fine art, and special craftsmanship. During shows, the artists hold the puppets close to the screen. A bright light from behind casts (投射) the puppets’ colorful shadows onto the screen. The puppets move with the help of sticks and perform stories along with music. The puppet masters both play and sing the parts. The stories, often dramatic and sometimes about fairy tales or kung fu, show the puppets doing amazing things like riding clouds or performing surprising acts. Children, in particular, find these performances exciting because they are more magical than regular plays performed by people. That’s also why it’s especially loved by kids.
Shadow play remains popular because it’s easy to carry; only a few people are needed for a show, and it can be performed almost anywhere. The plays mostly come from folk tales, although some are original.
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