Sichuan Opera and Chengdu Shu Embroidery Company

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One of the nights in Chengdu we went to the Sichuan Opera. The opera was made up of nine small acts. The highlights were the face changing and shadow animals. The face changing is a secret passed down only from father to child. They came into the audience and we could still not see how they changed the masks that they were wearing. I even looked on the internet to see how it was done and it is such a secret I could find nothing.

The Sichuan province is famous for its brocade and hand embroidery. We took a tour to see how these were made. They are both fascinating work. The brocade is made using a two person loom. The person up top creates the design and the one on the bottom is weaving the silk. We bought a piece of two-sided embroidery that is created using one piece of fabric and has the same design on both sides. We were able to watch someone working on a piece as a demonstration. They say it takes three months to create a small piece. We have literature that says that these products have been elected as the National Treasures and in 2006, the skill of Making Sichuan embroidery was awarded the National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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Photos

Fancy Marionette
It was amazing what she was able to do

Mini Opera
About keeping her man in line. She made him do many things with the lamp on his head

Face Changing
Even the marionette changed their face

Comments

[Judy Wilson]

Looks very entertaining
This looked like an exciting opera to see. The sichuan embroidery you bought is just beautiful. Take care.