piyingxi (Shadow Puppet)

About this object

History of use

Represents the Cao Guojiu character, one of the Eight Immortals. This piyingxi (shadow puppet) character 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.

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 cowhide 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.

Physical description

Cao Guojiu shadow puppet with separate head (part b) and jade tablet (part c). His face is cutout and lined in black, with very delicate features, and a long pointed beard. He wears a rectangular black cap decorated with small red and green pompoms, red edging and green-blue clouds. His brown robe is decorated with clouds of red, blue, green, yellow or black. His pants are striped red and green. Limbs jointed with fibre at the shoulders, elbows, wrists and hips. Operated by three rods. The jade tablet is depicted as a light green-blue, and is club-shaped. There is a small loop for the puppet's fingers.