W100xH320mm, China
Before the arrival of the internet, tv, moving pictures, the shadow puppets are the closest to an animated reality. It has been said that concept of shadow puppet came some 2000 years ago in the Han dynasty. The Han emperor was extremely depressed after the death of the Empress and was unable to the ruling of the country. Advisor Li who has been devoted to the Emperor was deeply concerned, one afternoon in the street he saw a kid playing with a doll, it was the movement of the shadow that had captivated him. Li used cotton to made the features of the Empress, supported the arms and legs on rod, with a candle behind, a screen was placed in front of the mannequin. The Emperor came into the tent one evening and saw his beloved Empress once again.
This shadow puppet is a Xiao Sheng character, playing roles that are young handsome, well learnt scholar and usually matched by a beautiful diva Dan role.
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Mountain Folkcraft 