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Shadow Puppet

MOA: University of British Columbia

3338/9 a-c

Sun Wukong (Monkey King) shadow puppet with separate head (part b) and gold staff(?) (part c). Depicted with a human-like body, and monkey head. He wears a long yellow tunic with red tie ending in green tassels around his waist, and red pants. On his feet he wears tiger(?) shoes. His head is yellow with five black spots, except for a mask-like area around his eyes and nose. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows and hips. Operated by three rods. The staff is yellow, with a thin red outline, and is operated by one rod.

  • Iconographic Meaning

    The puppet is made in a classic north-eastern design (Luanzhou), from Luanzhouzhen in Heibei Province, one of the historically renowned regions of shadow puppetry in China.

  • Specific Techniques

    The leather is scraped extremely thin which, together with their jointed limbs, makes these puppets highly flexible when they perform high kicks, jumps, and flips. When performing, their distinctive designs and vibrant colours are visible on the glowing screen, enhancing the magical effects of the characters in motion.

  • History Of Use

    This piyingxi (shadow puppet) character, Monkey King, is from the classic Chinese narrative, “Journey to the West,” sometimes known as “Monkey King,” which is full of action, acrobatics, and martial arts. Puppets 3338/8-20 represent the four main characters (Pigsy, Monkey King, Sandman, Buddhist Monk), their horse, and the Eight Immortals, who are associated with the stylized clouds (3338/21-22), which indicate their identities as immortal beings.

  • Type of Item puppet
  • Culture Chinese
  • Material cow skin, watercolour paint, lacquer, plastic, bamboo grass, steel metal, fibre
  • Measurements height 55.5 cm, width 10.0 cm, depth 1.0 cm (overall)
  • Creator Lu Family
  • Previous Owner Lu Family
  • Received from Lu Family, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget
  • Made in Tangshan
  • Creation Date during 2018
  • Ownership Date before December 21, 2018
  • Acquisition Date on December 21, 2018
  • Condition excellent
  • Accession Number 3338/0009 a-c

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