Chinese folklore

  • Predestined fortune managed by netherworld accountant

    “The Treasury Official” is a concise yet profound short story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai (Liaozhai Zhiyi). Through the mysterious figure of a “Treasury Official of the Netherworld,” it showcases Pu Songling’s philosophical reflections on fate, wealth, and the vicissitudes of life.

  • The Willow Scholar’s bargain

    “The Willow Scholar” is a symbolic short story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai. Blending myth, fable, and social concern, it explores the relationship between humans, nature, and spirits through the resolution of a locust plague.

  • The Fox Sisters and the Scholar

    Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio: The Fox Sisters (Fourth Sister Hu) weaves a fantastical tale of scholar Shang and his encounters with fox spirits Hu Sanjie(Third Sister Hu) and Hu Sijie(Fourth Sister Hu), exploring themes of desire, morality, and karmic justice.

  • Door Gods and Journey to the West

    Since ancient times, Chinese folklore has upheld the tradition of pasting images of Door Gods on household gates during the Lunar New Year.