Book Introduction

The book The Elegance of Xitianzhe’s Glove Puppetry describes how people in the past had limited leisure activities, which made glove puppetry a highly popular form of entertainment. In contrast, people today have many entertainment choices and have become accustomed to fast and constant dopamine feedback. Because of this, the detailed puppet movements, refined gestures, and expressive lines in glove puppetry—elements that require time, patience, and careful appreciation—can be challenging for audiences who are unfamiliar with Taiwanese Hokkien or who prefer fast-paced entertainment.

Modern children’s shorter attention spans are also closely related to frequent use of mobile phones and digital devices. Rapid screen switching reduces opportunities to train the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which can lead to weaker concentration. Under these conditions, the future of glove puppetry may seem uncertain.

Even so, as glove puppetry continues to evolve, it still preserves important traditional features, such as expressive narration and delicate hand-controlled movements, while also integrating innovative lighting and sound effects. Experienced puppetry artists and local troupes continue to bring glove puppetry into schools, allowing students to see and try it for themselves.

These efforts have shown promising results. When students are given the chance to interact with glove puppetry, many gradually develop genuine interest. Because of this, the dedicated practitioners who keep this art form alive share a common hope—that glove puppetry will continue to grow, adapt, and remain a meaningful part of the world’s cultural landscape.