Master of puppets

It is believed to have originated as a communication medium between humans and gods. As a result, it has been imbued with religious connotations since its creation, says Wang Jingxian, art supervisor with the Quanzhou Puppetry Theater.

The show has evolved into an indispensable part of local life in Quanzhou, where it is customary to stage puppet shows at weddings, birthdays and the openings of buildings.

"The entire system of puppetry, including performance, head crafting, and traditional music, has been passed down for centuries," Wang says.

Crafting a small puppet head retains the same application of painting, carving and polychrome sculpture techniques as the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, and, as such, holds a significant place in the history of Chinese folk art, experts say.

A Quanzhou puppet show generally uses marionettes that are usually about 70 centimeters tall, consisting of a head, belly, limbs, strings and an operation board that is held at a height of about one or two meters to control the figure. The puppet head is carved from camphor, linden or willow wood and can exhibit a variety of expressions.

"It can take up to a decade for a young actor to learn how to manipulate a puppet and perform onstage," Wang says, adding that local puppetry is capable of simulating many human movements, thanks to the intricate craftsmanship.