Gaomi Paper-Cutting
It is popular in Gaomi, Shandong Province and used as window and
gate ornaments, box and case, and cupboard. It is directly cut on paper
without draft pattern. It is characterized by the image in saw- toothed
shape and straight line.
Binzhou Paper-Cutting
It is popular in Huiming Prefecture, Shandong Province and used
as window ornament and embroidery pattern. It is more coarse than that
of Jiaodong. It is characterized by folded figurine.
Wei County Paper-Cutting
It is popular in Wei County, Hebei Province. It is famous for its
window ornaments, of which Tianpiliang is the earliest form. This
ornament is made by drawing and dyeing pictures on the thin chip. Then
a type of water-printed woodblock window paper-cutting, originated in
Wuqiang County in the same province, drew upon this feature in colour and
transparency and came to unite with Shuipiliang window paper-cutting, which
is characterized by the engraving instead of writing.Thus the distinctive
feature of Wei County paper-cutting came into being.
Nanjing Paper-Cutting
This type of paper-cutting is famous for its happy flower and
Douxiang flower types. On the occasions of wedding and celebrations,
Nanjingers like to decorate the dowry with paper-cutting artifacts made
from scarlet red paper. Its pattern is filled up with propitious
illustrations according to need and particular paper shapes. There are
flower-in-flower, theme-in-theme and subtlety-in-brevity patterns. Deftness
is highlighted in the naivety. The themes of Douxiang paper-cutting range
from dramatic tales, historical legends, folklores to propitious patterns
and flowers.
Pi County Paper-Cutting
It is widely spread in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, particularly in
Pi County. Its first type is colourful gate label. This type of paper
-cutting is mainly used for decorating the windows. Its themes run the
gamut of labouring scenes, domesticated animals, folklores, historical
tales, etc.
Foshan Paper-Cutting
It is a type of folk paper-cutting in Foshan, Guangdong Province.
It was in vogue in the Song Dynasty, and flourished in the Ming and
Qing Dynasties. It is made by a way of scissor cutting, carving,
chiselling, printing, writing, etc. The materials used are pure-colour
paper, copper, golden colour paper,etc. It is cut and engraved with knife,
scissors and copper utensil. A century ago,Foshan paper-cutting artifact
served as the draft for architecture and furniture engraving. Later on it
served as indoor decoration.
Taijiang Paper-Cutting
It is a type of Miao Nationality paper-cutting in Taijiang, Guizhou
Province. It acts as the embroidery draft for decorating sleeve, girdle
and hat. Though its themes are also dragon and phoenix, and peony, it
is quitely distinguished from that of Han Nationality. Especially its
paper-cutting for decoration sleeve is embroidered by needle and
characterized by its fineness in roughness.
Leather Silhouette and Shadow Play
This folk art is widely spread, which uses the folk handiworks:
leather silhouette figure and highlighting background. It is said that
shadow play originated in the Han Dynasty and became flourished in the
Song Dynasty. Its popularity culminated in the Yuan Dynasty and spread
to Persia.In the Ming and Qing Dynasties it was divided into many sects
and spread to Java, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and Japan, etc. Of the
sects in the Qing Dynasty,Luanzhou shadow play is the most famous.While in
performance, a curtain is hung against which a lamp or candle is lit.
Behind the curtain the performer manipulate the silhouettes to act,
accompanied by singing,reading lines and playing musical instruments. Some
shadow play troupes are made up of singers, drum players and their assistants.
The roles of the play are characterized into painted face, male, female,
and comic role.
Beijing Shadow Play
It is said that it emerged in the Ming Dynasty. This shadow play
participated in the theatrical festival held in Beijing in 1503. It is
also said that the shadow play was circulated into Hebei Province and
finally reached Beijing. It is divided into the east and west sects. Not
only acclaimed by farmers and citizens, it was also put on in the imperial
palace. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi,an official ranking the fifth
place was in charge of shadow play. Duringthe reign of Emperor Jiaqing,
shadow play troupes were summoned to the imperial palace and give
performance on Spring Festivals and happy occasions.At that time the shadow
play troupes in Beijing performed puppets in the daytime and shadow play
for home celebration at night. Many Beijing Opera actors also performed
shadow play. Since the middle of the Qing Dynasty, it had borrowed facial
masks from Beijing Opera.
Luanzhou Leather Silhouette
First it refers to the leather silhouette in Luan County, Hebei
Province. Its performance was accompanied by the song sung in the tone
of luoting. It also refers to the shadow play accompanied by the song
sung in the tone of Liuqin Opera. Its engraving skill was characterized
by roughness and antiquated colour.
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