Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Introduction vii
4. Table of Dynasties xix
5. 1. Cracking a Dumb Chan Riddle 1
6. 2. The Mad Drummer: Thrice-Played Yuyang 20
7. 3. Chan Master Yu Has a Dream of Cuixiang 42
8. 4. Real Puppets 69
9. 5. Sublime Jokes from the Back of Beyond 89
10. 6. Pinning Flowers in His Coiffure 135
11. 7. A Song for a Laugh. Translated by Casey Schoenberger 159
12. 8. Ramblings With Magicians in Lyrics and Songs 220
13. 9. Black and White Donkeys 301
14. 10. Zaju from the Studio of Singing on the Wind 344
15. 11. Song of Dragon Well Tea 379
16. Appendix: A List of Short Plays from the Period 1400 to 1850 391
17. Contributors 395
18. References 399