This is for anyone who has turned on Chinese TV and wondered what (in Buddha’s name!) the monkey, the pig and the monk are actually doing…
I didn’t exist for part of, and was then quite little for the rest of, the 1970s. Which is why all I remember about a TV series about a kungfu-fighting monkey is a kungfu-fighting monkey. So, imagine my surprise when I happened across a Chinese novel, and not just any novel, but one of the four great works of Chinese literature about - you guessed it - a kungfu-fighting monkey.
I then put 2 + 2 together, as countless millions have obviously done before me (you only need to google it to see what I mean) and became slightly obsessed. Since then I’ve been spending my time watching (nb. this is not the same as understanding) the addictively addictive CCTV series.
In fairness, Journey to the West [variously named in English translations, in Chinese simply 西游记|xīyóujì ] is about far more than a kungfu-fighting monkey - it’s about a monk and a pig too. Essentially it is a journey of discovery, the three main characters thrown together to face evil and adversity on their way to locate (and bring back to China) the Buddhist sutras from India.
Any so-called sinophile, worth their weight in rice, should bow down and worship the original CCTV serialisation. CCTV’s 西游记 is a legend in its own lifetime, rarely spending time off the air now, almost 30 years after it was made. The reverse logic by which “cool” is born means that the so bad they’re actually good special-effects, spangly theme tune and 1970s-Made-in-China naivety sign-post a genuine TV classic and if you can handle the fact that it’s in Mandarin - and quite a lot of old Mandarin - it’s a must-see for anyone who wants a piece of popular Chinese culture.
The Monkey [孙悟空|sūnwùkōng]
Intelligent, irreverent and irrepressible, a monkey originally formed from stone and given life becomes learned in magic and kungfu: he is christened 孙悟空. The Jade Emperor of Heaven takes a disliking to this arrogant upstart and eventually calls on Buddha to imprison him under a mountain for 500 years.
孙悟空 spends most of his time fighting demons, making fun of 猪八戒 and laughing at how pathetic and simplistic are his foe.
The Pig [猪八戒|zhūbājiè]
Slothful, lustful and greedy, a pig (who is actually a man who can turn into 36 different things but so much does his real character resemble a pig that it’s too much trouble for him to appear as a man) who once presided over the Heavenly Host (Heaven’s army) was thrown out of Heaven for trying to seduce Chang’E (beautiful woman of Chinese legend who lives on the moon).
猪八戒 spends most of his time eating, sleeping and trying to marry beautiful women, and their sisters, and their mothers.
The Monk [唐三藏|tángsāncáng]
Serious, gullible and compassionate, the monk is the only human on the journey. After being rescued from a river in Moses-esque fashion he was brought up in a monastery. He is devoted to Buddhism and this (complete with his gullibility) makes him the perfect candidate for the mission.
唐三藏 spends most of his time tied-up in caves (by monsters who want to eat him and stay eternally youthful), riding his pony into the distance and murmuring “Emitofo” (a Buddhist mantra).
An English translation of the novel is on its way to me as I write: expect more…
Now, how could you not want to know more about Journey to the West ? Check out:
- Stephen Chow’s 2-part movie spoof: Part 1. Part 2.
- CCTVs classic series available for download here.
- “Monkey Magic” cult English-dubbed Japanese version, download here.
- Listen and learn with ChinesePod’s (upper-intermediate level) podcast.
- I love this site for more amusing, in-depth information, in English.
Subscribe to our feed
November 14, 2007
8:41 am
I have the rather daunting four novel 西游记 sitting beside me as I type. It was bought for me for my birthday last year and I’ve barely cracked 100 pages in it.
Unlike its Stephen Chow/CCTV counterparts, it is a tough read. I realize I sound illiterate by saying that, but honestly… it’s brutal.
I am, however, quite looking forward to The Forbidden Kingdom - Jet Li as Sun Wu Kong!
November 14, 2007
5:25 pm
Journey to the West is one of the 4 great chinese lit in the Qing Dynasty. Many works have been adapted to the novel such as Dragonball and Stephen Chow’s earlier movies.
November 14, 2007
5:26 pm
There’s one more missing member, hmmm.
November 14, 2007
11:10 pm
Hey Patrick, actually “The Journey West”, “The Three Kingdoms”, “Outlaws of the Marsh” and “Jin Ping Mei (Golden Lotus)” were already considered the four classics before the end of the Ming Dynasty.
The only one written during the Qing Dynasty was what is now considered the fourth, “The Dream of the Red Chamber”, I’m guessing it usurped Jin Ping Mei’s spot, as it’s a bit too racy to be taught to public school kids, hehe.
November 14, 2007
11:15 pm
Sorry, yep they are in the Ming. All are great reads but if u get them translated, the essence is lost.
November 15, 2007
1:03 am
Hi you guys are impressed me so much ,for that you know so much about chinese culture.I’m really proud of my mother tongue.hehe.
November 15, 2007
1:05 am
Jin Ping Mei (Golden Lotus) is one of the four classic?i’ve never heard of that before,hehe
November 15, 2007
1:14 am
金瓶梅 (jin ping mei) is by 兰陵笑笑生。
The real name of the author is not known.
November 15, 2007
10:29 am
Patrick - as I’m at the CCTV stage (and children’s comics) of not understanding Chinese, I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to read the originals in their original language. It’s a huge shame - but I’m resigned to it. If I do, my old students bought me a beautiful 2-volume collection of “The Dream of Red Mansions/Chambers” in Chinese… Bless them. They have such high hopes!!!!!
Ryan - yeah. I’m prepared for even the English translation to be hard going, but I’m so fascinated I think this will carry me through
November 15, 2007
11:10 am
Tam
Although translated works are not as good as the original especially when English and Chinese grammar are totally different, it’s still a great way to appreciate Chinese Lit (赏析).
I have seen the serial many moons ago but I agreed this the best one to date. Like the Andy Lau - Return of the Condor Heroes.
China is going to come up with the new Chamber serial right?
November 15, 2007
9:47 pm
Patrick,hehe,thanks for telling me that.But what I meant is not that,I know this novel.I just don’t think it’s one of the four classic.I’m a chinese girl,what I learnt about four classic are:Romance of the Three Kingdoms,Outlaws of the Marsh,Journey to the West and A Dream of Red Mansions.
But you guys really make me admire your courage.Hope my english can improve too:)
November 15, 2007
9:58 pm
Moi pleasure.
November 16, 2007
9:27 am
@Tam: I can’t even find the patience to get through a Thomas Friedman book these days, I envy ya!
@Patrick: I definitely get that sense regarding the translation. I think it’s about the equivalent of an ESL student reading old English works. The beauty of the language used is lost.
@Kerri: Sorry for the confusion. My meaning was that at the time (end of the Ming Dynasty) Jin Ping Mei was lumped in and generally considered one of four Chinese classic novels along with the other three that were penned long, long before the 18th century A Dream of Red Mansions (Chamber) was. However, it’s not likely to be mentioned in too many text books as a “classic” due to its content.
November 16, 2007
9:34 pm
@Ryan,thanks for telling me:)
November 21, 2007
12:41 am
hey all, stick with them and don’t feel compelled to read every single (english) word! — it’s very tough - not only is the language impossible to translate properly but the style of storytelling is difficult too. But it’s worth it because after reading these you’ll understand and catch allusions in pop culture, art, in the landscape, etc.