Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Rare Books
Chinese shadow figure plays and their making
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Visual Materials
One book entitled Chinese Shadow Plays, by Pauline Benton, "Developed as a China Study Unit by the Red Gate Players", published by Industrial Arts Cooperative Service, New York, ca. 1935. This instructional booklet is 19 numbered, typescript pages in length; the last two pages are illustrations of Chinese figures in traditional costume. The (faded green) front cover bears the name of the publisher next to the right of its logo. The back cover, and the insides of the covers, are blank. The book provides an historical background and how-to instructions for creating Chinese shadow plays, which utilize transparent, animated parchment figures behind a brightly lighted screen. Included is a list of materials needed, and sections on production, staging, scenery, costumes and music. A bibliography is also included. Laid into the book are three ephemeral pieces about the Red Gate Players. "Stage Craft, Chinese Shadow Plays" is written in ms. at the top of the front cover. "Mabel Spofford" is written in ms. in the center of the front cover.
ephKAEE
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Rare Books
The list is not exhaustive--it does not include the special type forms and techniques of the painting of faces and of such individual plants and flowers as the bamboo, plum and orchid, which have their own disciplines. It does not include the terminology of asethetics or any inquiry into the history of either the terms or the ideas, materials and practices they represent. It is the outgrowth of practical inquiry rather than of systematic literary searching -- Preface.
654250
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Rare Books
Introduction to Chinese shadow puppetry for American audiences. Contains the synopsis of several popular shadow plays, including "Elephant gay", "The monkey stealing the peaches", "The temple of the golden mountain", "The white fox spirit" and others.
654664