Zhang Leping
Encyclopedia
Zhang Leping was a comic artist born in Jiaxing
, Zhejiang Province, China
. He played a key role in the development of modern manhua
in China, and is mostly remembered for his work in Sanmao
.
In a short time the January 28 Incident
occurred in 1932 and his artistic skills became the highest demand. China would use comics in anti-Japanese advertising in publications. His comic career would officially begin in 1934. In just one year, he would become part of the anti-Japanese comic propaganda
team.
When he initially created Sanmao
in 1935 his main goal was to convey the hardships of the Second Sino-Japanese War
war taking place in China through the eyes of the children, especially the orphans. He wanted to express his concern for the young victims, particularly the real orphans on the streets. And Sanmao became the symbol for those children.
While he published other work such as Mr. Wang and Miss Bee, they do not have the impact or longevity that Sanmao have. The Sanmao comics were translated throughout his career and introduced to other countries. The character has also been the main attraction in a number of movies, cartoons and other forms of on stage theatricals.
Jiaxing
Jiaxing is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying on the Grand Canal of China, Jiaxing borders Hangzhou to the southwest, Huzhou to the west, Shanghai to the northeast, and the province of Jiangsu to the north....
, Zhejiang Province, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He played a key role in the development of modern manhua
Manhua
Manhua are Chinese comics originally produced in China. Possibly due to their greater degree of artistic freedom of expression and closer international ties with Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been the places of publication of most manhua thus far, often including Chinese translations of...
in China, and is mostly remembered for his work in Sanmao
Sanmao (comic book character)
Sanmao is a manhua character created by Zhang Leping in 1935. He is one of the world's longest running cartoon characters and remains one of the most famous and beloved fictional characters in China today.The name Sanmao means "three hairs" in Chinese...
.
Early history
In 1924 Zhang lived in extreme poverty and was unable to continue his primary school education. In the fall of 1927 his area was attacked by the Northern Expedition army. By 1928 at the age of 18 years old, with the support of relatives, he was recommended by the teachers to re-enter school for formal a period of formal art education.In a short time the January 28 Incident
January 28 Incident
The January 28 Incident was a short war between the armies of the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan, before official hostilities of the Second Sino-Japanese War commenced in 1937.- Naming :...
occurred in 1932 and his artistic skills became the highest demand. China would use comics in anti-Japanese advertising in publications. His comic career would officially begin in 1934. In just one year, he would become part of the anti-Japanese comic propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
team.
When he initially created Sanmao
Sanmao (comic book character)
Sanmao is a manhua character created by Zhang Leping in 1935. He is one of the world's longest running cartoon characters and remains one of the most famous and beloved fictional characters in China today.The name Sanmao means "three hairs" in Chinese...
in 1935 his main goal was to convey the hardships of the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
war taking place in China through the eyes of the children, especially the orphans. He wanted to express his concern for the young victims, particularly the real orphans on the streets. And Sanmao became the symbol for those children.
Achievements
In the 1950s he worked for the Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House, the Shanghai-based Liberation Daily (解放日报) and the Shanghai Youth and Children's Publishing House.While he published other work such as Mr. Wang and Miss Bee, they do not have the impact or longevity that Sanmao have. The Sanmao comics were translated throughout his career and introduced to other countries. The character has also been the main attraction in a number of movies, cartoons and other forms of on stage theatricals.