Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu) representing the character Wu Sheng (martial male). Head, torso and hands are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a small nose, moveable eyes, large ears and rosy cheeks. The mouth is painted bright red and frowning, eyebrows are painted black and have sharp spikes in the middle. Back of head and area around ears are painted light grey, imitating hair. He is wearing a black cap with metal buttons along the bottom edge. Long, dark brown strands of hair are attached to the top of the cap. The character is wearing a yellow robe with one large panel in the front, three back panels and two side panels. The front panel has ties on the left side, above the waist. A stuffed pink pouch is stitched to the chest of the puppet, with fringe along its bottom edge, and a plain fabric patch is stitched in the same spot on the back of the puppet. Robe is covered in red and silver sequins, with floral and geometric motifs embroidered throughout. Motifs done in pink, dark brown and green. A moth(?) is embroidered on the bottom of the front panel of the robe, with a matching moth(?) on the back, underneath the plain patch. Moths(?) are done in pink, dark brown and blue. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his torso, and two more are attached to each hand. Eyes are operated by a wooden rod, with a metal attachment, inside of the central bamboo rod. Back of puppet’s head was cut out and re-attached.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Xiao Sheng (young male). Head and hands are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a wide nose, moveable eyes, large ears and rosy cheeks. The mouth is painted red, eyebrows are painted black and have sharp spikes in the middle. Back of head and area around ears are painted black, imitating hair. He is wearing a dark blue cap with metal buttons along the bottom edge. Long, dark brown-black strands of hair are attached to the top of the cap. The character is wearing a light green robe, with extended sleeves that drape down. The robe has a left side opening, secured with ties and metal buttons, and a small right side slit. Opening and neckline bordered with white band, trimmed with silver ribbons. Robe has curvilinear motifs around the cuffs and side opening, done in silver and dark purple-pink sequins. There are large floral motifs on the front and back of the robe, done in silver, red and dark purple-pink sequins and beads. Plain undergarment beneath robe. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his head, and two more attached to each hand. Eyes are operated by a wooden rod inside of the central bamboo rod. Back of puppet’s head has been cut out.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Sheng (male), with separate control rod. Head and hands of puppet (part a) are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a wide nose, moveable eyes, large ears and painted designs on his face. The mouth is bright red, eyes are black-rimmed with black and red eyelashes. There are three red lines painted across the bridge of the nose. Eyebrows are black and light green, curling at their ends. Curvilinear motifs across forehead and comma shaped marking on the chin. The painted designs are done in black, light green and yellow. Character has a black and light green spiky moustache and the areas around the ears and back of the head are painted black, imitating hair. He is wearing a dark blue cap, with metal buttons along the bottom edge. The character is wearing a pink robe, with extended sleeves that drape down. The robe has a left side opening, secured with ties and metal buttons, and a small right side slit. Opening and neckline trimmed with two ribbons- a red and green ribbon decorated with red and pink flowers, and a white ribbon with pink, light blue and yellow flowers. White ribbon with floral decorations trims cuffs too. Robe has white floral, geometric, phoenix and dragon motifs embroidered throughout with painted and sequins designs overtop. Silver and green sequins across surface done in floral motifs, with black and yellow paint underneath. Puppet is wearing two undergarments. The first is a light blue robe, with linear and curvilinear motifs across it. Motifs done in pink and gold glitter paint. The bottom layer is plain cloth. Puppet is operated by two bamboo rods- one attached to each hand. Back of the puppet’s head has been cut out. Large bamboo rod (part b) would fit in hole along bottom of head and would control the head of the puppet.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Sheng (male). Head and hands are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a small nose, large ears and painted designs on his face. The mouth is bright red, eyes are black-rimmed with black and red eyelashes. Eyebrows are black and red, curling at their ends. Curvilinear motifs across forehead and comma shaped marking on the chin. All painted designs done in red and black. Character has a black spiky moustache and the area around the ears and back of the head are painted black, imitating hair. The character is wearing a sleeveless dark pink robe, overtop of a plaid undergarment. The robe has a front opening, secured with ties, and two small side slits. Metal button attached to collar. Floral motifs embroidered across robe. Wavy turquoise ribbon, with yellow square motif through middle, borders all robe edges. Bottom edge, side slits and centre opening trimmed with additional wavy gold ribbon that has black fibre woven through it. Silver and pink sequins are along the left side of the centre opening. The puppet's head is hollow. Rim of hollow opening is unpainted. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his head, and two more are attached to each hand. Back of puppet’s head has been cut out and re-attached.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Judge Bao, with separate headdress. Head and hands of puppet (part a) are carved from wood. Hands painted beige. Character has a wide nose, large ears and a white painted face, with additional decoration. Chin, nose and cheeks are painted black, mouth is bright red. Black inverted triangle on forehead, with wide diagonal lines over eyes. Red and white circle in centre of forehead, on triangle. Eyes are black-rimmed with eyelashes. Back of head is painted black, imitating hair. The puppet's head is hollow. Rim of hollow opening is unpainted. The character is wearing a pink robe, with extended sleeves that drape down. The robe has a left side opening, secured with ties, and a small right side slit. Opening and neckline bordered with red on front of robe, opening and side slit bordered with dark yellow on back. Cuffs and opening, on front, also have light pink scalloped ribbon trim with pink, pale blue and light yellow flowers embroidered on them. Robe has white floral and geometric motifs embroidered throughout with painted and sequin designs overtop. Silver sequins across surface done in curvilinear and linear motifs, with black, green and yellow paint underneath. Central motif of a dragon done in silver sequins with black and dark green paint highlights. Eyes are made of large silver sequins, with smaller blue ones in their centres. Golden tube beads around head. Body outlined with red wavy bands. Plaid undergarment beneath robe. Puppet is operated by two bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his head, and one detached rod (part d) that would attach to a hand. One rod is missing. Back of puppet’s head was cut out and re-attached. Headdress (part b) is made of cardboard and metal mesh, and covered in black fabric. Headdress is cylindrical, with a rounded front and two wing-like attachments at the back. One wing (part c) is detached. Central design on headdress of one large silver sequin, surrounded by smaller ones, with white beads. The front edge of the headdress is trimmed in a glittery pink ribbon. Both wings are black and bordered with the same pink ribbon. In their centres, on both the top and bottom, are white characters. Interior of headdress is painted red. There are two plain ties on either side of the headdress.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Xiao Chou (clown). Head and hands are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a wide nose, large ears and moveable eyes and mouth. Lips and nose painted red, eyes are black-rimmed. Ovals with cross-hatching, done in red, under eyes and connected with a thin line across the bridge of the nose. Eyebrows are thin and black, area around ears and back of head are painted black, imitating hair. He is wearing a plaid cap with metal buttons along the bottom edge. The character is wearing a pink robe, with extended sleeves that drape down. The robe has a left side opening, bordered in pale pink and secured with ties, and a small right side slit. Cuffs have black and red ribbon trim with pink, green, gold and silver flowers embroidered on them. Robe has floral motifs throughout, done in light blue-green, yellow, and dark and light pink. Phoenix(?) design on back left shoulder, done in same colours as floral motifs. Plaid undergarment, matching cap, beneath robe. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to head, and two more attached to each hand.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Hua Lian (painted face), with separate beard. Head and hands of puppet (part a) are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a wide nose, moveable eyes and large ears. The mouth is bright red with white teeth, and the eyes are lined with black and yellow. The nose is painted green with red highlights. There is a yellow comma shaped marking on the chin and a red circle in the centre of the forehead, with another yellow character in it. The cheeks and forehead are painted green, the area around the ears and back of the head are light blue. He is wearing a plaid cap with a metal attachment, covered in red fabric, on the front centre. The character is wearing a red robe, with one large panel in the front, three back panels and two side panels. The front panel has ties along the left side, above the waist. Character is wearing a matching collar and there are added panels overtop of the shoulders and on the front panel, below the waist. All panels and the collar are trimmed with both or either gold and green wavy bands. Curvilinear motifs are done across entire surface of robe and collar in silver, green and gold sequins. Front panel has a central design of a dragon(?), done in yellow fabric and green sequins, with white plastic eyes, a red stuffed nose and white fabric fangs. The bottom edge of the dragon’s face has green fringe, and the top edge has a white mane. There is a plain yellow fabric patch on the back centre of the robe. Character is wearing a plaid undergarment, matching the cap. Puppet is controlled by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his head, and two more attached to each hand. Eyes are operated by a wooden rod inside of the central bamboo rod. The back of the puppet's head has been cut out. Beard (part b) consists of three long black fibres attached to a wire covered with string. Shaped to fit over ears and below mouth of puppet.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Dan (lady), with separate headdress. Head and hands of puppet (part a) are carved from wood. Head painted pink beige. The puppet’s body is formed by a reed cage. Character has a wide nose, moveable eyes and large ears. Mouth is painted red, cheeks are rosy. Eyes are black-rimmed, eyebrows are painted black and thin. Long sideburns painted on either side of her face. She has black hair pulled into a top bun and low ponytail. The ponytail is secured with a red tie. Between the bun and the ponytail is a dark blue ribbon, with a gold zigzag through the centre, with pink sequins. A matching headband is across her forehead. She has silver and pink beaded earrings and flowers tucked behind her ears. The character is wearing a pink jacket, with extended gauze-like sleeves that drape down. Floral motifs around cuffs and on front centre of jacket, done in light blue, dark pink and white sequins. Overtop jacket, character is wearing a bright green collar with a front opening, secured with ties. It has an elaborate beaded fringe along the bottom edge, with tiers of diamonds and two strands hanging from each diamond point. Diamonds are done in lilac, beads connecting diamonds are pink, and the strands are silver, red and light green. Neckline of collar trimmed with a wavy dark green ribbon, the bottom edge is trimmed with wavy dark green and red ribbons. Linear and floral motifs across collar, done in silver, light blue and dark pink. The jacket is belted at the waist, securing at the back with velcro. Edges of pink belt are trimmed with a wavy dark green ribbon. Belt is covered with floral motifs, made with stiff, glittery thread and sequins. Done in silver, gold, dark brown, red, yellow, orange, green, blue and purple. Hanging from the belt are three panels. All are pink, trimmed with wavy dark green ribbons, and covered in floral and curvilinear motifs. Floral motifs are done in white, light blue and dark pink sequins, curvilinear motifs are done in red. The bottom edges of all the panels have white, blue and dark pink fringe. Puppet is wearing an additional panel on her back that hangs below the jacket. It is secured with a tie around the waist, underneath the belt. Central floral motif done in dark pink, silver and light blue sequins. Fringe along all edges, done in dark green, yellow, pink and red. Puppet is operated by three rods- one large bamboo rod attached to the reed cage, and two more, made of bamboo and metal, attached to each hand. Eyes are operated by a wooden rod inside of the central bamboo rod. Headdress (part b) is semi-circular and rests on top of the puppet’s head. It is made of cardboard, with a metal frame, and covered in light green fabric. Edges of headdress are trimmed with flower shaped sequins. Along the top and sides are groupings of protruding wires, covered in green fabric and circular and flower shaped sequins. Sequins are pink, gold, silver and light blue. In between the wire groupings, and overtop of the central wire grouping, are three large, pink tulle-like flowers. Back of headdress is undecorated and covered in light blue fabric. There are two plain ties on either end of the headdress.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Lao Dan (old lady), with separate headband and headdress. Head and hands of puppet (part a) are carved from wood. Components painted pink beige. Character has a long nose and large ears. The mouth is painted bright red, eyes are black-rimmed and eyebrows are white. There is white paint around the back of her head and along the sides of her face, imitating hair. She has long grey-blonde hair in a low ponytail. The character is wearing a black robe, with extended sleeves that drape down. The robe has a front opening, secured with ties, and two small side slits. Neckline, cuffs and front opening of robe are bordered with a gold wavy band. Robe has floral motifs throughout, done in pink and silver sequins and green paint. Curvilinear motifs, done in gold and red wavy bands, around neck opening. Character has a plain white undergarment underneath the robe. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to her head, and two more are attached to each hand. Hole cut out in back of puppet’s head. Headband (part b) is brown with white floral embroidery across it. Band secured at the back with long, neon orange-pink ties. Headdress (part c) is made of cardboard, with a metal frame, covered in yellow fabric. There are two tiers of curved triangular protrusions all along the headdress and curvilinear attachments on either side. Two tassels hang from the curvilinear attachments, coloured red and yellow. The entire surface of the headdress is covered in sequins and beads. Sequins are silver, blue, pink and red, and beads are silver and green. Each triangular protrusion, in both tiers, has a curled wire with a large bead on top. The top tier has silver beads, the lower tier has white beads. Back of headdress is painted silver. There two plain ties on the back of the headdress.

Rod puppet (zhàng tóu mù ǒu), representing the character Hua Lian (painted face). Head, torso and hands are carved from wood. Hands painted pink beige, face and torso painted white. Character has a wide nose, large ears and moveable eyes and mouth. Mouth is painted red with white teeth, and there is comma shaped marking underneath it. Eyes are black rimmed with two circles surrounding them. There are three lines painted across the bridge of the nose and dots above the nostrils. Curvilinear motifs on the cheeks and forehead. Character has a small moustache. All designs across the face are done in black. Area around the ears and the back of the head are painted black, imitating hair. He is wearing a dark blue cap with metal buttons along the bottom edge. The character is wearing a sleeveless red robe, overtop of an off-white undergarment. Red robe has a front centre opening, secured with ties and metal buttons. Wavy pink ribbon, with white square motif through middle, trims the cuffs. Front opening and bottom edge of robe bordered with wide off-white band. Curvilinear motifs, in same off-white material, protrude from border band throughout. Interior of undergarment has characters printed across it in red. Puppet is operated by three bamboo rods- one large rod attached to his torso, and two more attached to each hand. Eyes and mouth are operated by a wooden rod, with a metal attachment, inside of the central bamboo rod. Back of puppet’s head has been cut out and re-attached.