EAST ASIAN PRINTS
& CARDS
Chinese Opera is one of the world’s oldest forms of drama and musical theatre, tracing its roots to around 319-351 AD. The Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong, who reigned from 712-756 AD, founded the first opera school, giving it thepoetic name “Pear Garden.” This is still used to refer to the world of Chinese Opera in general, with performers still called “Disciples of the Pear Garden.” There are more than 300 genres of Chinese Opera. Among the most popular is Beijing Opera. All Chinese Opera involves music, singing, acting, martial arts and acrobatics, the performers using gestures and foot work in symbolic rather than realistic form. For example, holding a whip suggests the actor is riding a horse.
Opera performers train from around 7 years of age, starting with acrobatics. All female roles were performed by males until 1906, when the ‘all-women’ Yue Opera, actresses in male roles, was founded and made its way into Shanghai theatres.
THE MONKEY KING
FROM
"JOURNEY TO THE WEST"
The Monkey King from "Journey To The West" was one of Cherie's childhood's most favourite characters. She absolutely loved that he could pull out his hair and made spell to clone his monkey self many as he needed.
Journey To The West, first published in 1592, is one of the Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Enduringly popular, with its comic satire and strong roots in Taoist and Buddhist philosophy, it is still reflected in modern Chinese attitudes, and continues to be told, retold and adapted in many different ways, including Chinese Opera, books, plays and films.
It is the legendary story of a Buddhist monk who travels from China through Central Asia and India with his three protectors, to search for sacred Buddhist scriptures (sutras). The pilgrimage is filled with danger, and many demons await them. Of the three protectors, Sun Wu Kong, the unruly Monkey King, is the wisest and most powerful with his magic spells. Through the power and virtue of cooperation, they overcome all the hardships, defeat the demons and achieve enlightenment.
