Recently, in Yulin, Guangxi, a man crafted a Zhu Jie Ren (bamboo puppet) and controlled it using strings, making it perform martial arts while wielding a large broadsword.

Skillfully using the strings as a control medium, the man expertly pulled and released them to make the bamboo puppet perform a variety of martial arts movements. These included swinging the broadsword, kicking, and jumping—each action executed so vividly and precisely that it seemed like a martial arts master demonstrating their skills.

The Zhu Jie Ren, a traditional handicraft and folk toy, has a long history and rich cultural heritage, dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The primary materials used to create it include bamboo, ropes, and silk threads. The production process involves selecting strong, smooth bamboo, followed by polishing, cutting, assembling, and painting. The puppet’s joints are connected in a specific way to allow flexible movement, enabling it to simulate human actions.

As an intangible cultural heritage, the Zhu Jie Ren possesses immense artistic and cultural value, representing a treasured part of Chinese traditional culture.