The Art of Lion Dance

Joey Yap’s The Art of Lion Dance (December 2016) is an informative and entertaining introduction and reference to a culturally significant and recognizable art, yet one that has mostly remained difficult to approach for all but the most dedicated. In a swiftly moving 246 pages divided into six chapters and including dozens of large color photographs and diagrams, Joey deftly manages to introduce most of the fundamental principles of lion dance that would help someone completely unfamiliar with the art to form a platform on which to appreciate the exhibition. He also kept me, an enthusiast who captains a lion dance team, interested to closely read many of the sections. There is history, legend, and metaphysical principles introduced and discussed which likely would be valuable to all but the most sophisticated and experienced lion dance and feng shui practitioners. I thus highly recommend this book to almost anyone, from the casual observer hoping to get more out of annual Lunar New Year performances, to dedicated martial arts troupes seasoned by multiple years of performance.As a quick note, although the Korean, Japanese, Tibetan, and Vietnamese lions are all introduced each with a representative large color photograph and detailed compare/contrast to the Chinese lions, this book essentially exclusively focuses on the Chinese lion, and mostly on the Southern lion. Although I may be biased due to my cultural heritage and personal performance experience, I think this is appropriate given the intended appeal of the book to a wide, mostly general audience.The first chapter of The Art of Lion Dance is a thorough introduction. Joey introduces the Chinese dynasties, four origin legends (year beast, lion tamer monk, emperor Zhang Di’s appeasement, and the Foshan villagers vs thelion), and briefly informs the reader there is not just a historical cultural aspect of lion dance but a metaphysical energy connection that is essential to authentic lion dance performance.The second chapter informs the reader of the basic construction principles of the lion and some of its evolution since ancient techniques. Joey specifically differentiates the closed vs open mouth, northern vs southern, the six common styles of southern lion (with detailed description of color associations and personalities), and the aforementioned cultural/regional variations of lion. I want to specifically emphasize Joy features brilliant color photograph examples of each individual lion style so that the reader can learn to identify the differences. This is a particularly commendable inclusion since even among many online forums there is confusion regarding what features characterize each of these different lions. Joey’s research allows a basis of standardization from which future discussion can refer. Although I cannot personally attest to the veracity of each description, the combination of his consistency with my own casual research along with his detailed explanation of the significance of each differentiation suggests to me Joey’s descriptions are trustworthy, at least in a first foundation level. I’m sure variations exist and different performers have come to have slightly different understandings, as would be with any art that is mostly transferred by apprenticeship and experience. But this book may help identify some common themes.Chapter three discusses features of lion dance performance. It introduces the basic stances of horse, cat, dragon, low-t, and bow. Steps such as 3-star, 7-star, unicorn, and a few others are written out or illustrated. Several common stunt positions and movements are illustrated. Cymbals, gong, and several styles of drum are mentioned, again with clear large photographs of each to help a reader differentiate when they see them in performance. The 8 metaphysical doors/sectors are briefly described. Notable performance routines are explained, including plucking the greens. The significance of the greens as related to the Qing dynasty and the rebels is explained. Features of characters of the big-headed Buddha, Jade Green Willow, God of Wealth, and Daoist Priest wrap up this chapter.The fourth chapter talks about traditions and practices important to lion dance. Bows, entrance routines, how to respect and avoid disrespecting the lion, and taboos are explained. Joey then does a fantastic job of describing and also diagramming formations, something that even with my several years of online casual research had not been able to understand. Joey explains the appearance, movements, and significance of the Eight Trigrams, Year Formation, Prosperous Monkey, Golden Chicken Calling the Spring, Perfect Greens, Venemous Snake Impeding Passage, Crab, Ever-Blossoming Flowers, and Treasure Under the Sea. This is really a fantastic part of the book!Joey’s fifth chapter focuses on the importance of Qi Men in lion dance. Here is where I was both out of my league and also appreciative of his expertise in feng shui. Although I do not believe in the supernatural or metaphysical notions of feng shui and qi men, I do recognize and value at minimum their significance in the culture of Chinese history, or in the spirituality behind lion dance. Just as lighting the candles is essential to the story of Hannuka, or the story of blood-to-wine in the taking of Communion, a more engaging participation and appreciation for the traditional art of lion dance is had by at least understanding why certain behaviors and patterns are done. After all, it helps a performer develop foundations and then responsibly innovate much the way a contemporary dancer learns and then innovates from formal ballet. Joey presents 24 structures of varying positive and negative auspiciousness that can be implemented by a lion troupe. He specifically provides suggested routines for marriage, business fortune, small spaces, and breaking free of bad qi. I have to admit that my ability to fully comprehend this section was limited by my complete unfamiliarity with qi, feng shui, and Chinese metaphysic. However, it serves as a reminder to myself that if I want to more deeply appreciate the culture of lion dance and not just the martial art side, at least a cursory knowledge of metaphysics is required. Fortunately, our author has quite a deep publication list on such topics. Given his clarity and ability to introduce lion dance without being heavy handed, I may make my first foray into this area in the near future. Again, it would be helpful to know the philosophy behind the actions I do, even if I don’t actually believe in its influence on my life the way the traditional practitioners likely did.Joey wraps up the book with a short chapter helping a reader evaluate and hire a lion dance troupe for any events they may want. I think this is a chapter that although not critically essential, really adds value where many other authors would have left it out. Are you a Chinese couple with little background in lion dance but would like to have a performance at your wedding? Well thankfully this chapter helps introduce some basic etiquette and expectations as well as some ways to appreciate (and not simply witness) the performance at your wedding. Are you a believer in feng shui and metaphysics and would like to bless your home or business with a lion dance but are frustrated most performers are not familiar with feng shui principles? Again, thankfully some basic outlines are presented to help guide your performers to suit your needs. Joey did a great job of recognizing that performance does not simply exist for the sake of the performers and the initiated; helping consumers assess and value a product or art is essential to the consumption, valuation, and preservation of the art.I know my review has been almost exclusively glowing and effusive of Joey Yap’s work. But that is because I honestly believe this is a reliable, valuable, and approachable primer on what it sets out to do – explain the Art of Lion Dance. If he were writing just for me, I would ask Joey to introduce more basics of metaphysics. What are doors and sectors? How are judgments made of dates and times in the practice of feng shui? Why is performing outside of a building acceptable vs performing inside? He does explain a little more in the Online Content (with the code available inside the book cover) but the videos are more of a promo for the book than supplement. It is too bad Joey did not use this as an opportunity to directly link to examples of certain routines; if there was a missed opportunity in this book or one area that I think could be improved in a future version this would be it, to provide online videos of specific formations and routines demonstrating the dance Joey describes in various sections of the book. But all books need to limit their scope at some point, and although I would prefer not having to do my own further research, I don’t have a problem with Joey encouraging the reader to use this as a segue opportunity to reach out and find another source to answer these questions. This is Joey’s first edition of this book, and as a native American English speaker I found a few typographic errors and awkward word sequences, but definitely nothing that takes away from the flow or the understanding of the material. This book definitely reads in a natural flow for an English speaker, and not like someone wrote it in Chinese and had a machine translate it.So in summary, I highly recommend this book to a very wide audience, from the casual cultural explorer who has only seen a couple performances in a movie, to a seasoned performer who would like to broaden their experiences by learning what other interpretations of lion dance may be. With clear type approximately 12 point size and about 1.5 spaced, it should be easily legible even for those with reading glasses. The high quality paper is comfortable to page through and it is not glossy, allowing for good viewing without glare. The footprint of the book is about the size of a 7 inch table and about 1 inch thick, making it very convenient for reading on a bus or airplane. And finally, if you just can’t spare the 3-4 hours it took me (a very slow reader) to make it through this book, the cover is a majestic emperor red and gold with textured print: a very elegant and sophisticated coffee table adornment that will get the conversation started. But please, do yourself a favor and actually read this book, or else your friends (or date) will be disappointed you passed up the opportunity to learn about such a cool and beautiful living ancient art.

The author is obviously neither a lion dancer nor a marital artist. This book is fairly basic, however he's obviously done his research. What he's written is concise and approachable.This is a great read if you have an interest in Asian Culture or would like an introduction into Lion Dance.

Very, very educational book from the eyes of a lion dancer. It covers most of the aspects in regards to the traditions of Chinese lion dancing, it's history, and the various types and styles of lion dancing in the different areas around the world.

This is our second copy of The Art of Lion Dance. We bought it to gift to another Sifu who is interested in starting his on lion dance team. It’s rare to find information on lion dance in English without losing the traditions. It’s a nice addition to our schools collection and to our peers. Thank you!

Great book on the history of the Lion Dance. Some parts drag on and are repetitive but is a good read

Not many English books on the subject of lion dance. This book contains some good information for those who no nothing about lion dance up to the average lion dancer. There are more details that it could have touched upon but didn't, but those are information that not to many have and are forgotten.

Great read very informative

great book

libro piacevole nell'impaginazione e ricco di contenuti