About Shenjiang＞ Categories of Shenjiang

Categories of Shenjiang

There are many kinds of Shenjiang statues in Luzhou. We can divide them into three categories: Shenjiang, Tongzai, and Model Shenjiang.

1. Shenjiang Category: There are three levels in terms of size: large Shenjiang, medium Shenjiang, and small Shenjiang.
(1) Large-sized Shenjiang statues: the height of Shenjiang statues for this level are between 320 cm and 360 cm. They are about two and a half times the size of the average human height. Many Luzhou Shenjiang belong to this level; this is the most important and leading category among Shenjiang.
(2) Medium-sized Shenjiang statues: the height of Shenjiang statues in this level are between 150 cm and 220 cm. In Luzhou, General Ba and the ghost catcher, Zhongkui, belong to this level. Even though their height is shorter than the large Shenjiang, people respect them as much as the large Shenjiang. The Shenjiang statues of this level have face paintings, which represent their position in divinity. General Ba may or may not have the face painting.

(3) Small-sized Shenjiang statues: the height of Shenjiang statues for this level are between 100 cm and 130 cm. The statues of this level are small. Only elementary-school children are able to operate them because of the size; it has the means of passing on the culture. The children who operate the small Shenjiang statues always are the spotlights of events.

General Yangjin (large-sized Shenjiang)

 

General Ba (medium-sized Shenjiang)

 

 

 

Nazha (small-sized Shenjiang)


When we operated the Shenjiang statues at Lujiang Elementary School, most people were interested in the small Shenjiang since they are very cute and attractive. Maybe they could encourage young people to learn this traditional art.

2. Tongzai Category: there are three levels for this category in terms of godliness: lord god, heaven general, and assistant god.
(1) Lord god: Jigong Living Buddha, Fude Lord God, and General Zhongtan belong to this level.
(2) Heaven general: Prince Tongzai is the most popular one for this level since it’s very cute.

(3) Assistant god: These gods, with lower godhood, are assistants of the main gods, such as General Zhoucang, Qianliyan, Shunfenger, and Zhaocaitongzi.

 

There are not many Shenjiang statues of the Tongzai Shenjiang category in Luzhou. We could only find a few. It’s possible that most performance opportunities in Luzhou are for large Shenjiang statues since adults  operate the large Shenjiang statues; the statues of the Tongzai category have to be operated by children only. Not many parents would let their children participate in this kind of event. Therefore, the statues of Tongzai category rarely show up in Luzhou.

Jigong Living Buddha (Tongzai Shenjiang)

 

3. Model Shenjiang category: the height of statues in this category is about 70 cm. They are usually placed in front of the shrine to guard the lord god. This category of Shenjiang statues is made very fine; even their eyes can blink and arms can move. They are produced in accordance with the scaling of the large Shenjiang statues and look very cute.

 

In the recent years, the Model Shenjiang category has become very popular, especially when the Shenjiang dolls are produced. They are attractive to both kids and adults. They have become a collection and brought business opportunities to the traditional Shenjiang masters. For this change, people’s impressions for the Shenjiang are no longer religion-related activities or products like decades ago. The Shenjiang is a unique cultural asset of Luzhou. I believe a cultural asset like this will never become extinct; instead, it will last forever.

General Liu (model)

 

Afterthoughts:
Yuang-ting Tseng: I could only classify the Shenjiang by the sizes or their roles in Taiwanese opera but not the duties. My mom often took me to the Shenjiang parade when I was little. At that time, I saw many Shenjiang statues but couldn’t tell the difference. Since participating in the Cyberfair project, I gradually learned more about the Luzhou Shenjiang culture. I am glad that I have the opportunity to learn the traditional culture of Luzhou.
Po-hung Wang: Before participating in the project, I didn’t know there were so many kinds of Shenjiang. The large Shenjiang statues must be very heavy for they are very tall! It is impossible for me to lift up any of them for now, but I will try when I grow up. I can only lift up the medium-sized Shenjiang for now; if possible I want to lift up General Ba.
Pin-yu Wu: If we need to search for a Shenjiang to study among many of the them, without knowing the classification, will that be very difficult? It will be easier with the Shenjiang classified. The easier it is to search, the more people will be willing to learn more about Shenjiang. Great benefits!
Ming-hsien Hsu: I finally understand that the heights of the Shenjiang statues tell the difference between Shenjiang; they are not built with random heights. With the classification of the Shenjiang, we can tell the difference easier. If I were not in the Cyberfair project team, I wouldn’t have learned to distinguish among the Shenjiang statues and instead, would think they are all the same. I had thought the buyer decided the heights of the Shenjiang statue.
Shun-wei Huang: I’ve never seen any Shenjiang parade until I joined the Cyberfair project. Since I am from a Christian family, I’ve never gotten involved in any other religions’ activities. I finally learned the heights of the Shenjiang statues, the cultural characteristics of the Shenjiang, and its connection with Taiwan Buddhism. I respect the Shenjiang but do not worship them. I’d like to learn more of the characteristics of the Luzhou Shenjiang.
Kuan-ting Ho: Previously, I used to feel respectful when seeing the Shenjiang statues; since I joined the Cyberfair project, I feel they become amiable when seeing them! It’s really not easy to know each Shenjiang. Before participating in the project, I wasn’t clear about the names of Shenjiang, but now I am confident that I know lots of Shenjiang.