A Brief Introduction of Chinese Folk Toys

中国民间玩具概述

As an indispensable part of traditional folk art , toys are a unique expression of the long and uninterrupted Chinese history. Religious beliefs， world view, taste, classical works and local customs, especially festivals and the ‘ Four Great Classical Chinese literatures’，are oil represented by the use of various techniques requiring an artisans' deepest wisdom and creativity. The advantage is that the greater majority of people can enjoy the pleasure of toys that are easier to make and more widely available than other artistic¹ works such as jade² or silver wares，as they tend to utilize³ common articles that are readily available, such as cloth, grass, straw, clay, paper, and so on. Even so, it should be noted⁴ that these toys are not of a coarse manufacture, but of rustic⁵ simplicity⁶ and vivacity⁷.

作为传统民间艺术中不可缺少的一部分，玩具是长期和不间断的中国历史的一个独特的表达。宗教信仰，世界观，品味，经典作品和当地的风俗习惯，尤其是节日和“四大中国文学名著”，是油画的代表，有着工匠最深切的智慧和创造力。其优点是，大多数的人们可以享受玩具，比其他艺术作品更易于制造和更广泛应用，例如玉或银器，因为它们往往利用的都是现成通用的物品，如布，草木，稻草，粘土，纸，等等。即便如此，也应注意的是，这些玩具不是粗糙的产品，而是质朴简单和活泼的。