The Jiang Jiazou wooden puppet head carving works. [Photo/fujian-szwhg.chaoxing.com]

Wood puppet head carving, known as Jiang Jiazou wooden puppet head carving, originates from Quanzhou city, Fujian province. It is listed as an extended project under the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage representative projects in the traditional fine arts category.

This intricate sculpting style is an integral part of Quanzhou puppet art, evolving from the carving of puppet deities. The craftsmanship is rooted in both theatrical and religious sculpting traditions, with puppet heads carved in workshops that also create deity statues.

Jiang Jiazou, a renowned master sculptor of the mid-20th century, played a crucial role in preserving and innovating the Quanzhou wood puppet head carving tradition. Over a 70-year artistic career, he designed and created 280 different character puppet heads. The Jiang family has preserved and passed down his techniques through generations. His descendants continue to study his exquisite methods, explore new ideas, and ensure that the Jiang family's legacy in puppet head carving art remains vibrant and influential.

Jiang's wood puppet head carvings are vivid, rich in imagery, and characterized by distinct personalities. The facial structures are precise, the colors are vibrant, and they possess unique national and local characteristics, making them a valuable treasure of traditional Chinese folk wood puppet head carving art.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Jiang's puppet heads, created by the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe, were taken abroad for performances, leading international friends to refer to him as the "Father of Puppets.” Today, his works are preserved in museums worldwide, celebrated as national artistic treasures, and highly cherished for their cultural and historical significance.