Xifa
01 · Historical Records
Zhao Shikui's xifa (traditional magic) is a northern-school traditional magic popular in Heilongjiang. Zhao Shikui (1914–1990), known as "Thirteen Blades" and "Master Cover", spent years joining troupes and performing for pay across the Northeast, and later entered the Heilongjiang Provincial Acrobatic Troupe. Throughout his life he devoted himself to excavating and organizing traditional magic programs that were on the verge of being lost, bringing back onto the stage such core skills of northern magic as sleight of hand (shoucai), the "cover" technique (zaozi), and comic duet patter (duikou shuobai). Many long-lost traditional performing techniques were restored to brilliance on stage through his excavation and organization, and were warmly welcomed by broad audiences.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Zhao Shikui (1914–1990) enjoyed high renown in Chinese acrobatic and magic circles. Known as "Thirteen Blades" and "Master Cover", he was a leading figure of northern-school traditional magic in Heilongjiang and occupies a pivotal position in the history of modern Chinese magic. Zhao Shikui's magic performances were famous for his consummate mastery of the "cover" (zaozi) technique; the sleight-of-hand pieces he performed were protean and unpredictable, and the northern-style comic duet patter in his programs was humorous and witty. Many long-lost traditional performing techniques were restored to brilliance on stage through his excavation and organization, and were warmly welcomed by broad audiences. Zhao Shikui's magic performances were delicate and natural, composed and proper, and watertight; he fused the mystery of magic into a steady bearing, leaving much to savor. His more classic programs include "The Cover" (Zaozi), "Passing Rice in the Bosom" (Zahui Guomi), and "The Immortal Plants Beans" (Xianren Zaidou). Zhao Shikui's performances carried on the stylistic features of traditional Chinese xifa art; they are a representative of the outstanding culture and art of the Chinese nation, displaying the Chinese people's superb wisdom and boundless longing for a better life.
The 'cover' speciality
Zhao Shikui was famed for his 'cover' feat, conjuring large objects under a draped cover with flawless concealment.
Smashing the Bosom, Passing Rice
One of Zhao's classic turns, a sleight-of-hand piece reflecting the sober style in which he hid his mystery.
The Immortal Plants Beans
A traditional piece in Zhao's regular repertoire, prized for its delicate, unhurried handling.
Northern comic patter
The comic northern patter that accompanies his magic, hiding the pass in banter delivered in northeastern dialect.
Sleight-of-hand work
Zhao's bewildering sleight-of-hand repertoire with small objects, the counterpart to his large cover feats.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Northern-school xifa shares its origins with the classical xifa of Tianjin and Beijing while flowing in a different stream. Artists in the Beijing and Tianjin area combined the three systems of sleight of hand (shoucai), object manipulation (cuonong), and concealment (cangyan) with patter in the northern dialects, forming a style in which patter and trick are linked; as northern acrobats ventured east into the Northeast (chuang guandong), this set of techniques took root in places such as Harbin and Qiqihar. Zhao Shikui was active in the Northeast for many years, giving rise to the Heilongjiang branch, distinguished by its consummate "cover" technique and the witty patter in its programs. Zhao Shikui's northern-style comic duet patter was grounded in the Northeast dialect; between the straight man and the comic, he hid the trick's transition in casual talk, so audiences often missed the mechanism amid laughter. The Heilongjiang Acrobatic Troupe Co., Ltd. is its protecting unit, responsible for the organization of programs and for transmission.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Xifa.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
At present, some of Zhao Shikui's magic programs have vanished from the stage, and some props are on the verge of being lost. Protecting and transmitting Zhao Shikui's xifa has positive practical significance for the transmission and development of traditional Chinese xifa and magic art.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Xiao Guisen 04-1740
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
This static English edition is rendered at the edge for search engines, AI crawlers and readers without JavaScript; it mirrors the bilingual dossier. 阅读中文版，或返回 英文名录。