The Enchanting World of Chinese Shadow Puppets中国皮影戏的迷人世界

作者: 郑佳琪/译

Shadow puppets have been a cherished form of entertainment in China for centuries. This traditional art form combines storytelling, music, and intricate puppetry to create a mesmerizing experience for audiences of all ages. In this article, we will delve into the enchanting world of Chinese shadow puppets, exploring their history, techniques, and cultural significance.

千百年来,皮影戏一直是深受中国人喜爱的娱乐形式。这种传统艺术形式集讲故事、音乐和精妙的皮影表演于一身,男女老少均为之着迷。在本文中,我们将深入中国皮影戏的迷人世界,探索其历史,探寻其技艺,探究其文化意义。

The origins of Chinese shadow puppets can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. It is believed that the art form was initially used as a form of divination1, with the puppets being used to cast shadows on a screen to predict the future. Over time, shadow puppetry evolved into a popular form of entertainment, performed in villages and at festivals throughout China.

中国皮影戏的历史可追溯到2000多年前的汉朝。相传,这种艺术形式最初用于占卜,通过投射在幕布上的人偶影子来预测未来。随着时间的推移,皮影戏逐渐演化成一种广受欢迎的娱乐形式,在中国农村和节日庆典上表演。

The puppets themselves are made from translucent leather or parchment, carefully cut and shaped to depict various characters and animals. Each puppet is attached to a long bamboo stick, allowing the puppeteer to manipulate their movements behind a backlit2 screen. The puppets are brought to life through the skillful manipulation of the puppeteer, who uses their hands and fingers to create fluid and lifelike movements.

人偶由半透明的皮革或羊皮纸制作而成,经过精心切割和剪裁呈现出各种人物与动物形态。每个人偶都绑在一根长竹竿上,从而表演者能够在背光幕布后面操纵动作。表演者动动手指,人偶便做出活灵活现的动作。他们高超的技艺仿佛给人偶注入了生命。

Chinese shadow puppetry is known for its intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail. The puppets are often adorned with colorful costumes and accessories, adding to their visual appeal. The puppeteers also use various techniques to create different effects, such as using different sizes of puppets to create depth and perspective, or using multiple puppets to create complex scenes.

中国皮影戏以工艺精妙和关注细节而著称。人偶身着彩衣配饰,在视觉上增加了吸引力。表演者还使用多种技艺来营造不同效果,例如使用大小不一的人偶创设立体感、变换视角,或者使用多个人偶呈现复杂场景。

The performances are accompanied by traditional music, played on instruments such as the erhu (a two-stringed fiddle) and the guzheng (a plucked zither), adding to the immersive experience.

皮影表演通常配以二胡(一种双弦提琴)或古筝(一种拨弦式的扁琴)演奏的传统音乐,增强了观众的沉浸式体验。

Chinese shadow puppetry is not only a form of entertainment but also holds deep cultural significance. It is considered a valuable part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, representing the creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling traditions of the Chinese people. The art form has also been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

中国皮影戏不仅是一种娱乐形式,还具有深厚的文化意义。它是中国非物质文化遗产的重要组成部分,代表了中国人民的创造力、手工艺以及讲故事的传统。联合国教科文组织已将其列为人类口头和非物质遗产代表作。

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Chinese shadow puppetry, both within China and internationally. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote this traditional art form, with puppetry schools and workshops being established to train new generations of puppeteers. Additionally, exhibitions and performances are being held around the world to showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Chinese shadow puppetry.

近年来,中国皮影戏在国内外重新焕发生机。人们正努力保护并推广这种传统艺术形式,通过开办皮影学校和皮影工坊培育新一代皮影艺人。此外,世界各地还举办了皮影展览和表演,彰显出中国皮影戏的美与独特。

Iconic stories and characters in Chinese shadow puppetry

中国皮影戏中的经典故事与角色

One of the most beloved stories in Chinese shadow puppetry is “The Legend of the White Snake.” This tale revolves around the love story between a human, Xu Xian, and a white snake spirit, Bai Suzhen, who transforms into a beautiful woman. Their romance faces numerous challenges, particularly from the monk Fahai, who believes their union disrupts the natural order. The story is rich with themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil, making it a perfect fit for the dramatic and expressive nature of shadow puppetry. The characters of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian are iconic, with Bai Suzhen often depicted with flowing robes and delicate features, while Xu Xian is portrayed as a humble and earnest young man.

中国皮影戏中最受欢迎的故事之一是《白蛇传》。这个传说围绕着凡人许仙和变成美丽女子的蛇精白素贞的爱情故事展开。二人的爱情面临重重阻碍,尤其受到了法海和尚的阻挠,他认为二人的结合违背天道伦常。这个故事涉及爱情、牺牲以及善恶之争的主题,与皮影戏戏剧化和表演性的特征十分吻合。白素贞和许仙这两个人物堪称经典,白素贞衣袂飘飘,容颜精致,许仙则被描绘成一个谦逊诚挚的年轻人。

Another classic tale frequently performed in shadow puppetry is “Journey to the West,” which follows the adventures of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. This story is based on the 16th-century novel of the same name and chronicles the journey of the monk Tang Sanzang as he travels to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts. Accompanying him are his three disciples: Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie (a pig-like creature), and Sha Wujing (a river ogre). The Monkey King, with his mischievous nature and incredible martial arts skills, is a favorite among audiences. His character is often depicted with exaggerated features and dynamic movements, making him a standout figure in shadow puppet performances.

皮影戏经常表演的另一个经典故事是《西游记》,讲述了美猴王孙悟空的冒险故事。这个故事改编自16世纪的同名小说,讲述了高僧唐三藏带着孙悟空、猪八戒(猪首人身的妖怪)和沙悟净(原是河妖)三个徒弟西行印度、求取佛经的历程。其中,美猴王生性顽皮,武艺高强,是观众最喜爱的角色。其形象多作夸眉怒目之态,腾挪翻转之间尽显神采,在皮影表演中独树一帜。

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