- It is written that Liu Che (Emperor Wu's personal name) became depressed and lost interest in ruling after the death of the Lady Li, his favorite concubine. Although this is not disputed, two legends relate what followed. One legend, according to TravelChinaGuide.com, states: "One day, a minister happened to see children playing with dolls where the shadows on the floor were vivid. Inspired by this scene, the smart minister hit upon an idea. He made a cotton puppet of the concubine and painted it. As night fell, he invited the emperor to watch a rear-illuminated puppet show behind a curtain."
- In the other version of history, reported on the Chinese Theatre Works website, concerned ministers "found an old Taoist magician, who knew some clever conjuring tricks. He sat the Emperor down in a dark room in front of a cloth screen, then, using a small flame behind the screen, he caused an image of the Lady Li to appear and move in a very lifelike way."
Whichever version of the truth Liu Che experienced, the desired effect was achieved. "The Emperor was very pleased and was at last able to recover from his deep grief," Chinese Theatre Works reports. - Shadow theater was an important way for history and religion to be communicated to a mainly illiterate population. According to Chinese Theatre Works, this oral tradition is still alive in parts of southern China and represents a link between the living and the spirits of the dead. The power of its storytelling also has given the public shadow show the potential to play a political role.
- ChinaCulture.org refers to a survey made by the writer Sun Kaidi that indicated Chinese shadow plays were performed as early as the mid- Tang Dynasty, about 750. The first written record of puppets used in performances is likely in "An Account of the Capital's Wonders," dating from the Song period. In the early 14th century, Persian historian Rashideg recorded that the son of Genghis Khan ordered artists to Persia and Asia to learn the skills of shadow theater.
- Following its government ban at the end of the 18th century, according to TravelChinaGuide.com, Chinese shadow puppet theater became more influential and popular from about 1820 onward. The 20th and 21st centuries led to technical innovations, both in materials used and most dramatically in lighting. According to Chinese Theatre Works, "Many artists, both those rooted in traditional shadow forms and those with knowledge of the newest cutting edge technology, have given contemporary shadow theater a new vibrancy and have contributed to a renaissance of this, the oldest form of motion picture media."
- The puppeteer operates five puppets at any one time. Thread connects the puppet joints, allowing for controlled movement, and each character needs three threads. The puppeteer, therefore, uses 10 fingers to operate 15 threads. The shape of the puppets has altered little over millennia, presenting stock characteristics of a large head and small body tapering out toward the feet. The puppets' long Chinese robes help to accentuate this effect and are used to identify scholars and further indicate social standing and hierarchy.
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