This culture lesson is about shadow puppet, first we need to know that. Shadow play which is also known as shadow puppetry which is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures (shadow puppets) which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim. The cut-out shapes of the puppets sometimes include translucent color or other types of detailing. Various effects can be achieved by moving both the puppets and the light source. A talented puppeteer can make the figures appear to walk, dance, fight, nod and laugh.
The origination of Shadow Puppet is said that in Han Dynasity, the Emperor lost her beloved wife who died in a disease. Then the Emperor couldn't manage his country well for a long time after the death shock of his wife. His servents noticed that their Emperor must be back. So one of them found a way might be able to help the Emperor get rid of the big sorrow. The servent invieted some artworkers from the folk who are good at shaping by using paper or the other material. They were asked to draw and carve the fiture of the Emperor's wife which must be kept for a long time and can move vividly as well, so that the Emperor won't be that sorrow by seeing this.
The artworker created the shadow of the Emperor's wife by using the ox skin to form the shape. They palyed the shadows behind a curtain screen to show the Emperor and his wife's daily life. It made the Emperor very happy since then shadow play popularized in the whole country.
As we knew that, we are going to make a simple shadow puppet today. First paint the outline of the figure with the brush, then use the knife and scissors to carving and cut the paper, finaly painting on it.