Interpretation of the Images of Qing Judges in the Illustrated Woodblock Editions and Popular Prints Nianhua

The paper aims to analyze different types of illustrations of court case gong`an 公案 stories featuring Qing dynasty judges Shi-gong 施公 and Peng-gong 鵬公 found in the late Qing woodblock editions and popular woodblock prints nianhua 年畫 in order to figure out how tales about imperial ‘fair officials’ have been reflected in book illustrations and in popular prints nianhua 年畫. Popular prints from various Russian and foreign collections mostly depict episodes featuring Qing dynasty judges Shi Shilun (施世綸, dec. 1722), originally a protagonist of the novel “Criminal Cases of Judge Shi” (施公案 Shigongan, preface dated 1798), and Peng Peng (彭鹏, 1637-1704) from the novel “Criminal Cases of Judge Peng” (彭公案 Penggongan, 1871) by Tanmeng Daoren 貪夢道人. “Shi-gong plays” about Judge Shi and his friends gained popularity during the Daoguang period (1821-1850), however Judge Shi was no longer their central protagonist. The popular prints mostly depict martial scenes from these plays based on the court case stories. This research claims to define sources of various types of illustrations and clarify connections between book illustrations, popular prints and drama.

Court case stories, book illustration, play, popular print nianhua, Russian collection, martial scene

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