A toy's story
Say shuahuo and few in Beijing will be able to recognize this city term for old Beijing toys. The skilful maohou (furry monkey) and auspicious tuye (Rabbit God) have nearly faded from people's memory. But for Tang Yujie, shuahuo is not just a word but an expression of four generations of family history.
Tang, 47, is the youngest daughter of well-known elder craftsman of Beijing Tang Qiliang whose creations are replicas of toys that date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
She took over the business from her father a decade ago and is now running the 12 sq m toy store called Tangjing Xuan, or "Studio of Prosperous Tang Dynasty", on Chengxian Street, the only shop in town dedicated to old Beijing toys. A lone life-sized colored Rabbit God standing by the door and an antique wooden plaque with a carved Monkey King hanging under the eaves, signal the slow pace of business.
