Shadow puppetry has been entertaining audiences in Taiwan since it was brought to the south of the island by performers from Chaozhou in mainland China’s Guangdong province during the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Colloquially referred to as “leather monkey shows,” the performances were mainstays of temple fairs and celebrations for generations. The art form suffered a lull in popularity during World War II, but subsequently experienced a resurgence that lasted until the mid-1960s.
Television and movies became the dominant forms of entertainment in the latter half of the 20th century in Taiwan, and the rise of dance performances at temple fairs caused the age-old art to wane in popularity further. Currently, there are only a handful of shadow puppetry troupes left in the country.
Now operated by the fourth generation of the Zhang family, Yungshing-Le Shadowgraph Troupe in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City is one such company. In addition to preserving their family tradition, the brother-sister duo behind Yungshing-Le has been reaching out to elementary and junior high schools to not only entertain but to teach. Troupe members instruct students on the basics of shadow puppetry, such as how to construct the leather puppets as well as the fundamental techniques of maneuvering them.
The Shadow Legends Drama Group, the only shadow puppetry troupe in northern Taiwan, has been teaching lessons at grade schools for more than a decade. Rather than using leather puppets, however, Shadow Legends provides students with acrylic versions that are easy to put together, color and maneuver.
A few classes here and there are not enough to train professional performers. Instead, the aim is to expose students to this fading art in the hope that they will grow to appreciate it. After all, a performance is not complete without an audience.
Write to Jim Hwang at cyhuang03@mofa.gov.tw
In their quest to preserve shadow puppetry, members of the Yungshing-Le Shadowgraph Troupe reach out to teach schoolchildren about the art form. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Mainland Chinese performers brought shadow plays to Taiwan during the early Qing dynasty. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Some scripts have been passed down and performed for generations. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
The Shadow Legends Drama Group is the only shadow puppetry troupe in northern Taiwan. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Yungshing-Le, now operated by the fourth generation of the Zhang family, is one of the few shadow puppetry troupes left in Taiwan. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)
Captivated audiences are an encouraging sight for troupes that are striving to preserve the ancient art of shadow puppetry. (Photos by Chin Hung-hao)