As an indispensable part of traditional folk art, toys
are a unique expression of the long and uninterrupted Chinese history.
Religious beliefs, world view, taste, classical works and local customs,
especially festivals and the 'Four Great Classical Chinese Literatures', are
all represented by the use of various techniques requiring an artisans' deepest
wisdom and creativity. The advantage is that the greater majority of people can
enjoy the pleasure of toys that are easier to make and more widely available
than other artistic works such as jade or silver wares, as they tend to utilize
common articles that are readily available, such as cloth, grass, straw, clay,
paper, and so on. Even so, it should be noted that these toys are not of a
coarse manufacture, but of rustic simplicity and vivacity.
Generally, the
diverse variety of folk toys can act as decorations to be appreciated or as
knickknacks to be played with. As such, the two categories are those for
festival decoration and those for daily enjoyment.
Festival Toys
Those during festivals are quite flowery and customary.
In the Spring Festival (Chinese
New Year), people use firecrackers and fireworks; in the Lantern Festival,
there are lanterns in the shape of lotus, monkeys, dragons, etc; in the Pure
Brightness kites will be flown in the blue sky; and during the Dragon Boat
Festival, people will take sachet with them. Old people's sachet looks like a
peach, symbolizing longevity while children's sachets are of lovely patterns,
with fragrant herbs inside to ward off evil spirits. In ancient time
s, they
were also a token of love that a girl would give to her beloved.
For Appreciation
Those for
appreciation and decoration stresses artistic conception. Carvings on root,
stone and nut, painted eggshell, modeling with clay, porcelain and wax are all
exquisite, especially those of figurines with their natural beauty.
Cloth paste
pictures (collages) are interesting and distinctive. Most of its artisans are
women who are good at needlecraft. Up until quite recently, almost every girl
was able to make clothes and shoes out of cloth, with the off-cuts being used
as convenient materials for collages. Choosing a large piece of cloth on which
to sew or collage into the basic pattern, then adorn it with small pieces of
lace. Utilizing color and texture and finished off with butterflies, tigers,
children and real flowers are very appealing.
The Hairy Monkey
was probably invented in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). By
sticking many shaggy magnolia flower buds color resembles a monkey's fur, the
lively posture of a monkey can be presented. As these materials are not readily
available, this folk art is a lot rarer.
During the very early period of Chinese cultural
development, the ancestors had worshiped the immortals. Rope, pronounced as
'Sheng', shared a similar pronunciation with the word for gods ('Shen' in
Chinese), and when written, it looked like a dragon, an auspicious animal in
Chinese culture; knots, in Chinese 'jie' means vigor, harmony, and unification,
Therefore, this unique Chinese knots artwork has been a popular gift for
thousands of years and embodies best wishes. People wore it in the beginning as
a decorative addition to clothing, and later, used it to decorate their houses.
Though the weaving techniques are complicated, ropes, in hands of a deft
craftsman appear effortless moving the shuttle in between the rows of ropes. A
Chinese knot is usually symmetrical in structure and colorful with jade or
porcelain beads. This no doubt adds more jubilation to any festive atmosphere.
Euphonious Toys
Sounds can
increase the amusement of toys. The main ones are whistles made of clay,
porcelain, and bamboo. The simplest way is to blow directly along the edge of a
leaf or blade of grass. Shadow puppets, displayed on the screen and steered by people
behind, and the rattle-drum which can make the rattling sound by shaken are
also favorites amongst children.
Play with Wisdom
For Chinese who attach a great importance to the
development of children's wisdom, jigsaw puzzle ('Qiqiaoban') might be the most
ideal choice. Composed of 7 pieces in a certain shape, this toy requires one's
brain exertion to join those pieces into a given pattern without leaving any
gaps. The puzzle ring is another well-known game. It is said to originate from
the Warring States Period (476–221 BC). Appearing to be one of the most
incomprehensible games in the human history, it even aroused the attention of
Western mathematicians. To separate the nine rings which are buckled together
or to join separated nine rings together is quite intricate indeed.
Practical Toys
Besides being for
play, they can also be of practical use, as part of finery, bedding and
foodstuff. Children love animal-shaped pillows or hats. Today, the mascot of
Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing is the lovely panda hat to numerous zealots. For
the foodstuff, flour's plasticity helps people's imagination come true. In
Shanxi Province, people are still experts at steaming flour figures. Suppose
how pleasant they will be when seeing vivid edible flour rabbits and pigs!
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