Shadow play has a long history and isunique kind of art form. It is performed sending shadows of puppets (木偶) on a piece of white cloth. The puppets made of leather (皮革) (paint) in very bright colours, so that the shadows they make are very (colour).
The players stand behind the cloth and move the puppets against strong light when (show) a shadow play, and the shadows of the puppets fall on the cloth. At the same time, the players talk or sing, telling a story with (music) playing the drums and other instruments, such aserhu, sanxian, sheng,etc. People on the other side of the cloth can see the shadows of the puppets do all kinds of movements. It's just like the movie today.
Shadow play started in the Han Dynasty. is said that Emperor Wu of Han was sad and didn't want to do anything because one of his favourite wives died. (cheer) him up, his officer made a puppet like the emperor's dead wife with leather. He moved it and made it (act) behind a piece of cloth. The emperor enjoyed it very much. After that, shadow play became (popular) known in China.
