Over the years, Google’s search homepage has posted, showcased or highlighted events, people, ”applets”, and stories, many of which have moved me (and I would certainly think other people as well). What homepages have caught your attention?
Today’s (Dec. 24, 2020) homepage showed an image paying homage to a famous Taiwanese puppet master, artist and creator, 李天祿 [museum link [1] and an online biography [2]]. Born to a family of puppet artists in 1910 in the Dadaocheng district, Lee rose to fame (perhaps as the right person at the right time) by introducing this particular form of Taiwanese performance to the global stage [戲夢人生 [3], ISBN: 9573213575].
As I was growing up I read of the classic Western minstrels and bards such as Homer with enthusiasm. These living historians would tell the stories of past and present through their acting and singing. My introduction to Taiwanese puppetry came from an interest in the story of the Three Kingdoms Era 三國志, after the fall of the Han dynasty. Many stories are told of Guan Yu, a legendary general who carries the 青龍偃月刀, a blue-green dragon crescent blade, and rides the 赤兔馬 Red Hare horse (a breed that bleeds red). Depending on the story arc, much can be said of his character. One of the overarching themes to the Three Kingdoms era is the quest to unify the Middle Kingdom. In this context, Guan is remembered in Chinese and Taiwanese folklore as a tragic figure who gives his life to what is ultimately the losing side. Taken in the context of stability from having three kingdoms, Guan often times surpasses the other heroes of that era due to his numerous successful battles while outnumbered and chivalry towards others.
The beauty of the Three Kingdoms story lies in the sheer number of different historical figures that played a role in that history, and their lives could be examples to us in the modern context. For example, a counter point to Guan would be Cao Cao, and the northern kingdom, whose descendants are recorded by historians as ultimately unifying the kingdom as the Wei dynasty.
李天祿, is known for his telling/rendition of the Three Kingdoms story, and was one of the modern day bards, or one of the Taiwanese ones.
What methods of story telling excite you?
References
- https://www.museum.ntpc.gov.tw/xmdoc/cont?xsmsid=0G275735901206394658&sid=0G297832473949668605
- http://ltl.gac.ntnu.edu.tw/node/4124
- https://www.books.com.tw/products/0010092814