Ch'en Tzu (original name Ju-chen, nickname Lu-t'ou, style names Wu-ming and Ming-ju, and sobriquet Hsiao-lien) was the son of the famous painter Ch'en Hung-shou (1598-1652). Their styles of painting and calligraphy appear very similar. Furthermore, judging from this work, it appears that Ch'en Tzu further exaggerated his father's style. Aloof and proud by nature, Ch'en Tzu is said to have not associated with many others.

    This is the fourth leaf from the album "Precious Objects from the Scholar's Studio." Depicted herein is a small child concentrating on holding a stick from which is suspended on string a puppet in the form of Chung K'uei, the Demon Queller in Chinese folklore. The long sleeves and dancing figure present a humorous and endearing scene of a child at play.

    As far back as the Sung dynasty (960-1279), street performers had assumed the costume and role of Chung K'uei, dancing and chasing demons in New Year performances that were known as "Dancing Chung K'uei." The idea of Chung K'uei as a puppet in this theme known as "Children Playing with Puppets" appears related to this tradition. Thus, the spiritual function associated with Chung K'uei chasing away demons appears gradually to have become a theme also for the entertainment of children.