tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61745916073269493022024-03-12T17:05:47.236-07:00China Hidden CraftsStories about Chinese traditional arts & craftsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-77017588177228148192014-08-04T22:53:00.000-07:002014-08-04T22:53:05.624-07:00Big Announcement! Wuxi Clay Figurines Esty Shop now open!<div style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do you remember a while ago I posted about a young couple who owns a workshop in Wuxi? To refresh your memory you can read the post <a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/wuxi-clay-figurines-trip-to-huishan.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last month we have been working together to help them open a shop on Etsy to sell their creations worldwide.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It`s been a very busy month, but as of today I am proud to announce that Wuxi Clay Figurines Shop is now open!! We are finally bringing the items that you’ve seen in our blog to all of you!!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">WHY? Recently we had some blog readers telling us they`d like to purchase some of the items introduced on our blog and, after debating what would be the best and easiest way to offer the handcrafted items to you, we decided to open an Etsy shop, which is really a great site to find all kinds of unique, handcrafted goods. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So where can you find the shop to browse and purchase the craft item introduced on this blog? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span lang="EN-US">The shop is located at this address: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChinaClayCreations" target="_parent"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><u>https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChinaClayCreations</u></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can also find a clickable button to the shop in my sidebar right here on this blog.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you could visit our new shop and favorite us, that would be awesome!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And because we want to thank all our friends for encouraging us we`re offering a special discount code to celebrate the opening of the shop!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Use discount code OPENINGPROMOTION to receive 10% off your order!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For now we’ll be selling only a few items, but we are looking to expand the shop in coming months and would love your input of what other items you would like to see! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Meiryo, Calibri, Microsoft YaHei UI, Segoe UI, Microsoft JhengHei UI, Malgun Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-88388627139292286592014-07-27T20:43:00.000-07:002014-07-27T20:43:01.652-07:00Ke’ai Love<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: justify;">If you traveled to China you probably noticed that Chinese love </span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: justify;">adorable
and sweet things such as cute characters or
designs. The obsession with cute is actually not only Chinese, but more in
general it`s an East Asian phenomenon, and not just young girls, but adults
too, are affected.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Chinese term
for cute is “<i>ke’ai</i>” (</span>可爱<span lang="EN-US">), which
literally means “lovable” or “adorable”, and is used to describe anything that
is diminutive, for example, all children can be described as <i>ke`ai</i>, as well as
small animals and inanimate objects. The innocence of childhood and small
creatures certainly has a beauty of its own. Perhaps ke`ai is so popular
because people yearn for a return to those days of sweet innocence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Looking at
ancient arts and crafts objects I came to believe that the Chinese people`s </span><span lang="EN-US">fondness
for <i>ke’ai</i> it`s not only a 21st century fashion trend, but it has a very long history</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Porcelain, paper cuts, carvings,<span class="apple-converted-space"> embroideries, w</span>oodblock prints, cute
dolls... For thousands of years the ancestors of today's Chinese created fine
art forms, many adorably small in size and perfect in every detail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s my small collection of <i>ke`ai</i> craft objects gathered browsing museums and crafts shops, enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A world in miniature</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The pictures below show the details of an ivory carving depicting one of the </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">most </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">famous </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">love story "The Romance of The West Chamber", displayed at the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beauty of
youth and innocence</b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwxyvw4UPrn060fKyHdhovscHtKEj1EHUmdFDbbNRS1Dagg_PrWJCvX0iRx4iuKOVRXn2DivS6T_JP7B9epDSWCO48z2BcqYSI2MDTz-LhTk3KVBe7eclNwlnaZZlYkHeT4UpMj-O0OQ/s1600/_DSC2669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwxyvw4UPrn060fKyHdhovscHtKEj1EHUmdFDbbNRS1Dagg_PrWJCvX0iRx4iuKOVRXn2DivS6T_JP7B9epDSWCO48z2BcqYSI2MDTz-LhTk3KVBe7eclNwlnaZZlYkHeT4UpMj-O0OQ/s1600/_DSC2669.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys playing on turtle - wood carving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFQsKHvVEoThmeXX1ipB8WFY2nBqOn9UU_UowbLXlOadINXFmb9aswpk1i63GTEIm34oRi1ObHhGGwBCFddY1xJMX5ECqpEIgxMNzpYoBH0i4Qu10kFr5yB42nYx2yJGCUEvXXhes6Z0/s1600/_DSC2670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFQsKHvVEoThmeXX1ipB8WFY2nBqOn9UU_UowbLXlOadINXFmb9aswpk1i63GTEIm34oRi1ObHhGGwBCFddY1xJMX5ECqpEIgxMNzpYoBH0i4Qu10kFr5yB42nYx2yJGCUEvXXhes6Z0/s1600/_DSC2670.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys playing - wood carving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-xeFGVG2BtmrlhuorMVgxH-WeLGlPng2fbNmjwWJ06D-IFJy_FBfBtGiBUVS9WLWpdsF3sWPUUxZOnFZo87qS7uLi7aHkIq13zSwmzkLU_eTirfXrh6u4hcYYrJVuYgKbrOuMR7o8Dc/s1600/firecracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-xeFGVG2BtmrlhuorMVgxH-WeLGlPng2fbNmjwWJ06D-IFJy_FBfBtGiBUVS9WLWpdsF3sWPUUxZOnFZo87qS7uLi7aHkIq13zSwmzkLU_eTirfXrh6u4hcYYrJVuYgKbrOuMR7o8Dc/s1600/firecracker.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys playing with fireworks - detail of porcelain vase</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4bGZs5dY9Vlk4oKfcgBwNygAovZOur9W3R2gtsdacc8yXP7p8HunRbqYLkrW6Tqm-QIDb5fIUJwRwdyUotcZ9NVoJ1OjQ-JERHj5d41SctyMqLrPlcGHiWbVq0EsQcur_mmeRdPtUZE/s1600/pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4bGZs5dY9Vlk4oKfcgBwNygAovZOur9W3R2gtsdacc8yXP7p8HunRbqYLkrW6Tqm-QIDb5fIUJwRwdyUotcZ9NVoJ1OjQ-JERHj5d41SctyMqLrPlcGHiWbVq0EsQcur_mmeRdPtUZE/s1600/pic+1.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little girl wearing a tiger hat and holding a red lantern<br />Wuxi clay figurine</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round is cute</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chinese Buddhist deities are often depicted as a laughing (bald) man with a largely exposed belly to symbolize happiness and good luck.</span></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqN1HgiG5idy3CqFfW92IFAEvbvLbAlVCMuSNGSu5cKI_20Vsk5DkXBxAXeFfvRN6NTp7SjlkBBmeNixQaggRz2tKdNUv4FMT2JeFeDT5UUmEx1NAwLTI-mhLaH77iM5I4Na0pzqL5XY/s1600/_DSC2680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqN1HgiG5idy3CqFfW92IFAEvbvLbAlVCMuSNGSu5cKI_20Vsk5DkXBxAXeFfvRN6NTp7SjlkBBmeNixQaggRz2tKdNUv4FMT2JeFeDT5UUmEx1NAwLTI-mhLaH77iM5I4Na0pzqL5XY/s1600/_DSC2680.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Buddha - Jade Carving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixinRlouOYBbupopXV31-9SeA0L9AK3E2E-wHd5rAhHD_9yLXNGX2BlVS8QB49LpZ0dVVS5zgZ8VziGQfpKempt_zlFziP8qM90c8fS2AKR5AjSkWFD_jNRDd-o_OnS80rtSyYy4h89LQ/s1600/old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixinRlouOYBbupopXV31-9SeA0L9AK3E2E-wHd5rAhHD_9yLXNGX2BlVS8QB49LpZ0dVVS5zgZ8VziGQfpKempt_zlFziP8qM90c8fS2AKR5AjSkWFD_jNRDd-o_OnS80rtSyYy4h89LQ/s1600/old.jpg" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eight Gods of Wealth - Olive Pit Carving</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhuXmrKB8iSKnAvlBpEGmCfhoUrwpRdQfEdFiuCAhAOrvpm-4Kq4b2Exk6lrAMKiyscy1ADhyphenhyphenBHGq-Vfxg3BQeEmQX2QZ3XhGpBhR040Xe_xVMQcuE7WjCXLEmKhV54q3YEKig6vC3qY/s1600/daafu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhuXmrKB8iSKnAvlBpEGmCfhoUrwpRdQfEdFiuCAhAOrvpm-4Kq4b2Exk6lrAMKiyscy1ADhyphenhyphenBHGq-Vfxg3BQeEmQX2QZ3XhGpBhR040Xe_xVMQcuE7WjCXLEmKhV54q3YEKig6vC3qY/s1600/daafu.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da A Fu, deities guardians of Huishan - Wuxi Clay Figurines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 2.25pt; margin-left: .1pt; margin-right: 3.75pt; margin-top: 2.25pt;">
<br /></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 2.25pt; margin-left: .1pt; margin-right: 3.75pt; margin-top: 2.25pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The charm of animals</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZirISGJN3hGhWij4vimtfJEOwJN7eO29i9EsVvV9N93KbRaP8uctk67FWufczwNK-oI89KCNDkzFsSepfeloFVjxC8DGIH8z19_7Pt3vTfCsHkz64AMnBTH4aRUIk69Dabg2GdVCD1iA/s1600/_DSC2683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZirISGJN3hGhWij4vimtfJEOwJN7eO29i9EsVvV9N93KbRaP8uctk67FWufczwNK-oI89KCNDkzFsSepfeloFVjxC8DGIH8z19_7Pt3vTfCsHkz64AMnBTH4aRUIk69Dabg2GdVCD1iA/s1600/_DSC2683.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little chicks - embroidery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfrmVgtJkqu_Px_RhZvp7hVSB7Zy47VV5JI20oirw7p4UBL2str6hPWSNUcDm4HrMiAN3ZvYjion9QW9cN2-U24sxaDtU2rEjWmXsAu6MhXtBQ-VGcpP-Eft-jnMTXi16TsKSubaEXRs/s1600/_DSC2691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfrmVgtJkqu_Px_RhZvp7hVSB7Zy47VV5JI20oirw7p4UBL2str6hPWSNUcDm4HrMiAN3ZvYjion9QW9cN2-U24sxaDtU2rEjWmXsAu6MhXtBQ-VGcpP-Eft-jnMTXi16TsKSubaEXRs/s1600/_DSC2691.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbits - painted wall scroll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLAKZDNDb2SqVH0rCJeuTtVu9Vk_FL_gunt87i25x6AU9f79I89kpLG588aghLAB4Ioovkp2foXOB3OUuY5iDLlMnC7_ztNiEuRBg2836NKrAmPKUT3l77v19JjrhniFklyXQtJXIiNQ/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLAKZDNDb2SqVH0rCJeuTtVu9Vk_FL_gunt87i25x6AU9f79I89kpLG588aghLAB4Ioovkp2foXOB3OUuY5iDLlMnC7_ztNiEuRBg2836NKrAmPKUT3l77v19JjrhniFklyXQtJXIiNQ/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frog on a lotus flower - Clay pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMtFZ-A4PxrMRcvKpVPb22bUGna9dSbb6rKEnMXWz2e_GyNYyU0I0riQZ8PbyMX7QS2NxdTUakC3pyF9UAdLNzGTCsKd2kTK9lXV7Ow29ETunwjqs4-gxFXYSHxxLvacjQc2BzTnzj2k/s1600/tiger+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMtFZ-A4PxrMRcvKpVPb22bUGna9dSbb6rKEnMXWz2e_GyNYyU0I0riQZ8PbyMX7QS2NxdTUakC3pyF9UAdLNzGTCsKd2kTK9lXV7Ow29ETunwjqs4-gxFXYSHxxLvacjQc2BzTnzj2k/s1600/tiger+hat.jpg" height="400" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Hats, traditionally worn by children as protection from evil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe0gd2b_SbdIUTaHvc5ZZyFg6wJsawiexthaDqawHVyXUr_TVEqF9LAEmdtOGsvuog-NflxSZ2lLi1MgFSiw0BoYD7eTteYL1SRP5gV8bGsKYdLB3ABzHfqt3XLvz26TQZhcJ9tHPTlQ/s1600/chick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe0gd2b_SbdIUTaHvc5ZZyFg6wJsawiexthaDqawHVyXUr_TVEqF9LAEmdtOGsvuog-NflxSZ2lLi1MgFSiw0BoYD7eTteYL1SRP5gV8bGsKYdLB3ABzHfqt3XLvz26TQZhcJ9tHPTlQ/s1600/chick.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chick breaking through eggshell - Jade Carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-83916354569133726632014-07-22T18:10:00.001-07:002014-07-22T18:10:34.123-07:00Collaboration with Chinese HSK Application<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are excited to announce that China
Hidden Crafts will collaborate with the successful Chinese learning application
Chinese HSK!!!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Our posts about Chinese arts and crafts
will be featured in the Level 1 app</span>, under the level 1 lessons list. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are studying Chinese and are
planning to take the HSK test, or you just want to expand your vocabulary, I definitely
recommend you this application, which at the moment is available for Android in
6 different languages (English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish)
and different levels. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To learn more about this application you
can visit <a href="http://www.chinesehskblog.com/">http://www.chinesehskblog.com</a></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.chinesehskblog.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4Op6q58IMagTATcEifrbDxlbOhx-dQqDJx-FRTE6ZaXfOEr9iGaT2nL5KdaEbS-5z701u7ImbMz52gaeNWC544PgMjReLAgb8r1DKhAeijC3HGTz3nWk51FrPsbF0fJuHWk6mR_akp8/s1600/chinese-hsk-apps-square.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-22795233074375252212014-07-20T20:41:00.001-07:002014-07-20T21:02:03.995-07:00Banyao - The Singing kite<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Have
you ever heard a </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kite </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">singing? Today I`d like to introduce you the Nantong
whistling kite, also known as “Banyao</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">” (板鹞), which means</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> board snipe, or board kite</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a magnificent
and spectacular kind of kite which is used as musical instrument.</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hpicOpMnC0H5pJeNWtyf-GPVPloZ9E3yhiIFsx0LYb969q-zmwlqFsM5oBoEdXkWv-lmnc9UiBKTQM27pxAbfOGAUJoyHNcPs7u-ZjdVdT4q9GYtoq1Ov2EUmk8BArxeUYQhF_fO994/s1600/512ead19459e0c4def7d5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hpicOpMnC0H5pJeNWtyf-GPVPloZ9E3yhiIFsx0LYb969q-zmwlqFsM5oBoEdXkWv-lmnc9UiBKTQM27pxAbfOGAUJoyHNcPs7u-ZjdVdT4q9GYtoq1Ov2EUmk8BArxeUYQhF_fO994/s1600/512ead19459e0c4def7d5.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
kite is something children all over the world play with, but it wasn`t always a
toy. </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">According to some sources k</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ites were invented in China over 2000 years ago; s</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ome ancient book records that the master craftsman Gongshu Ban and the thinker Mozi had both made something called "wooden hawk", and later on it was said that general Han Xin made "paper hawks" in the first years of Han Dynasty. However, according to more reliable sources, the kite originated during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD). At that time it was named "paper crow" or "paper owl" and it was used </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for military purposes, correspondence, measurements, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Tang dynasty paper started to be more widely used in everyday life and gradually replaced other more expensive materials in making kites, such as silk. Thanks to this kite-flying was popularized and quickly spread among common people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Tang and Song Dynasties Chinese kites started to spread to the outer world, first to Asia and then to Europe, contributing greatly to global scientific and technological development.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdujFITlsgqFGe0QfuNjgWH2yAJyDrpRpgSWFX5o8RKGt6cozNTNjFEXnN-F3d_3C1DBg49UR2ZDlubImKdVue3-fssgMRfQnPPsxUW1jIQPEnfGUK6I80Ts9XFAnelZ9StY9yFy-zWQ/s1600/newyearpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdujFITlsgqFGe0QfuNjgWH2yAJyDrpRpgSWFX5o8RKGt6cozNTNjFEXnN-F3d_3C1DBg49UR2ZDlubImKdVue3-fssgMRfQnPPsxUW1jIQPEnfGUK6I80Ts9XFAnelZ9StY9yFy-zWQ/s1600/newyearpainting.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year Painting Ten Beauties flying kites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nantong
is home of the exquisite whistling kites; it`s situated in the east of Jangsu
Province near the mouth of the Yangtze River, where the strong winds create
ideal conditions for kite flying, especially in spring and autumn.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although
there are many famous kite production places such as Beijing, Tianjin and
Weifan, Nantong whistling kites have a history of over one thousand years and
are unique to the Nantong area. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">What
makes Nantong whistling kites so special is that anywhere between 100 and 300
whistles are attached to each kite (although some kites can have up to 1,000!!).</span> Matching
the whistle sizes and coordinating tones, kite makers aim to create harmonious
and melodious sounds of different pitches which are often described as “Symphony
on air” and can reach miles in distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRPbO4ctX80eHfid7C-wezMdbzvElnw_NWsSBTuovaj-qRJg1KXyjskCSUyQ2qXs_cQ6ebJxN8ypQKealefqpNUParT-TOQm8P5dCSoT36TFtKIfE8MlY-netgdWdgVwOJbHCekWIewE/s1600/512ead19459b8729d31da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRPbO4ctX80eHfid7C-wezMdbzvElnw_NWsSBTuovaj-qRJg1KXyjskCSUyQ2qXs_cQ6ebJxN8ypQKealefqpNUParT-TOQm8P5dCSoT36TFtKIfE8MlY-netgdWdgVwOJbHCekWIewE/s1600/512ead19459b8729d31da.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
you can see from the pictures, in order to be able to fly and maintain stable such
a large number of whistles, Nantong kites are much larger and heavier than other
kites.</span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The pictures below are from
the Nantong Whistle Board Kite Exhibition held at the Baoshan International
Folk Art Exposition Center in Shanghai.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHz1NSOCjQXC72meqpCC9nszVHz1u8rZ098L22nCOdOphtrxwW0wErYLtHN3A4k1Ne68BaB6ItVwWjhKgV5N06abzwAvSQxVeo_hm3tP6mVNca2PrqoC_lL2V3xCrhK_xQQfiYAq794/s1600/kite1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHz1NSOCjQXC72meqpCC9nszVHz1u8rZ098L22nCOdOphtrxwW0wErYLtHN3A4k1Ne68BaB6ItVwWjhKgV5N06abzwAvSQxVeo_hm3tP6mVNca2PrqoC_lL2V3xCrhK_xQQfiYAq794/s1600/kite1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4-oNOkbjo8Hxjvqh86t-TilZqN88oc_Gay2-G9x_qpLrG23XTnSkntXHpGP11P9sbFfvflUPNHrWlhV2MmcTcgX0GAGbvHPb9nLfo7JQwA6U5TLTYOJ44L_h_Or5XVTHaqExbvBWPYY/s1600/kite2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4-oNOkbjo8Hxjvqh86t-TilZqN88oc_Gay2-G9x_qpLrG23XTnSkntXHpGP11P9sbFfvflUPNHrWlhV2MmcTcgX0GAGbvHPb9nLfo7JQwA6U5TLTYOJ44L_h_Or5XVTHaqExbvBWPYY/s1600/kite2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmeClgIbGbyscgSY5IxIMRZqAe8bwFtHt2Y1GTMLaPlshB8Bn5A0Txo3ukA2Cva5c-wIvsERYME1iQNVBI9YolJQ1AGgkuGdyFzDX1vKmSMSNUjOsMQjMccBv9ZPXO262krndIJM2D7w/s1600/kite4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmeClgIbGbyscgSY5IxIMRZqAe8bwFtHt2Y1GTMLaPlshB8Bn5A0Txo3ukA2Cva5c-wIvsERYME1iQNVBI9YolJQ1AGgkuGdyFzDX1vKmSMSNUjOsMQjMccBv9ZPXO262krndIJM2D7w/s1600/kite4.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All
Nantong kites feature a basic bamboo framing with paper, cloth or silk covering
shaped in geometric patterns, and each section is hand painted with traditional
designs.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The
whistles are either cylindrical or orb shaped.</span> The cylindrical pieces
are made from bamboo, shaved down to a paper-like thinness to lighten weight
and increase reverberation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The orb-shaped whistles are made from gourds
with carved wooden caps. Nantong kite artists cultivate a variety of gourds to
make big and small whistles, the smallest can be only one centimeter in diameter,
and the largest can reach up to 50 cm or even more.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKxAVjtzLPK9iR_dgRnkDVIk5SPdNpnL9XU5j27UXZ9AMjIkJzM-i9koMnB40ojavUvOSy4h7uDoQmJuJFW1P9rhKTDAMFYP1h2ngL59VrzKfa_1xnkU1h6gNtxO06vxtknTUq4igt9s/s1600/512ead19459b874a40563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKxAVjtzLPK9iR_dgRnkDVIk5SPdNpnL9XU5j27UXZ9AMjIkJzM-i9koMnB40ojavUvOSy4h7uDoQmJuJFW1P9rhKTDAMFYP1h2ngL59VrzKfa_1xnkU1h6gNtxO06vxtknTUq4igt9s/s1600/512ead19459b874a40563.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nantong
kites come in many different styles and feature various patterns and
decorations. Animals, such as hawks, sparrows, butterflies, are the main form
adopted. Other styles represent the folk culture, and many decorations, such as
golden fishes and chubby babies, have auspicious connotations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NfKeDbuo4LcH14APhkHGqprJUs9TzeGh0YrVmjGdYDpyReyoTGf4X9QCOM9Zsy761HcO1uV3zN5n8rxRogDODJXdCMTI18ueKxBa6ONzA4HtVkmaDogpUIcFNO7Ss36TINfEjtTfceI/s1600/kite3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NfKeDbuo4LcH14APhkHGqprJUs9TzeGh0YrVmjGdYDpyReyoTGf4X9QCOM9Zsy761HcO1uV3zN5n8rxRogDODJXdCMTI18ueKxBa6ONzA4HtVkmaDogpUIcFNO7Ss36TINfEjtTfceI/s1600/kite3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In
old times kites were flown as a way to send prayers to the gods, and, in
particular, the loud sound made by the Nantong kite was believed to have the power
to avert evil spirits in the sky</span> and bring peace and harmony the whole
year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The
Nantong kite is also closely related to the local production. In the Nantong
area many people work as fishermen, a profession particularly affected from changes
in the weather conditions. In the past, when there was no weather forecast, it`s
said that the fishermen relied on a kite to test the wind and decide whether to
go out to the sea.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I
leave you with a video of a Banyao</span> flying. There is some background
noise due to the strong wind, but you can hear clearly the loud and almost hypnotic
humming of the kite!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwa-lYUnQ8a-YckbbWnGx_mIOl1rg4FlcW2KVDp01ZiQjYGf8rfQ_3fz7sZzm5kw99hvtQvii6NtpmdnyC5RA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-37012895948475495202014-07-16T00:11:00.003-07:002014-07-16T00:11:39.505-07:00Qipao: the history of a Chinese sartorial icon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you watched Wong Kar-wai’s movie “In the Mood for Love”, Maggie Cheung`s exquisite</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
wardrobe probably caught your eyes. Throughout the whole movie she wears an array of elegant qipaos, also called cheongsam, a one-piece garment consisting of a close-fitting
dress with a high neck. Wong has said 20 to 25 qipao alone were made for her
character alone.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFKjvE8Wo-Y2yoK8gmOivEoEZKHPNwx3AAg3jK-kjhtXkZpngazL6QdocP5B5XzRXHlkYqakLC0MxTnVtmmJMnjhR5dEVhF5eaeWNu9e15wXNoaowgWiVw4mlGeXAL7Nr33npP2uERzg/s1600/moodlovefr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFKjvE8Wo-Y2yoK8gmOivEoEZKHPNwx3AAg3jK-kjhtXkZpngazL6QdocP5B5XzRXHlkYqakLC0MxTnVtmmJMnjhR5dEVhF5eaeWNu9e15wXNoaowgWiVw4mlGeXAL7Nr33npP2uERzg/s1600/moodlovefr.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">This
type of dress is usually referred to as qipao or cheongsam, the latter used
more frequently in Western countries. The term cheongsam (</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #252525;">長衫</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">), meaning "long dress",
entered the English vocabulary from Cantonese (the dialect of China's Guangdong
Province), while in other parts of China it is known as qipao (旗袍<span lang="EN-US">)</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
qipao as we know it today can be immediately recognized by anybody as a symbol representing
Chinese culture and as an expression of Chinese identity, but what are its
origins and how did it evolve to its current shape? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The
qipao story is closely linked to the political background and cultural history
of China, and its origin can be traced back to the Qinq Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty
was founded by Manchu rulers, whose military and social structure</span> was
organized into "banners" (called “qi” in Mandarin). The Manchu people wore a one-piece dress which,
likewise, came to be called qipao or
"banner dress". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
early qipao looked very different, it didn't have the tight, figure-hugging
shape the dress is known for today, but it came in the form of loose ankle length
vest, worn on top of a long-sleeved blouse. It was later transformed into the
gown with sleeves that became the prototype of the modern qipao.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyliXyAlQBZG9rK05EbxrHxAfRadA_FnclTHNE62xSLdo9RSs_Fy1LklX3W8CIAd9dWr1kqE5VmrowfI5zvEGx9pHwEiDybhhv49cJNnP_LmwAFsWKQ1HXGJhKp1LKe8lowO3D444G4w/s1600/31iht-fdress-inline1-popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyliXyAlQBZG9rK05EbxrHxAfRadA_FnclTHNE62xSLdo9RSs_Fy1LklX3W8CIAd9dWr1kqE5VmrowfI5zvEGx9pHwEiDybhhv49cJNnP_LmwAFsWKQ1HXGJhKp1LKe8lowO3D444G4w/s1600/31iht-fdress-inline1-popup.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manchu gown, Hong Kong museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although
the 1911 Revolution overturned the rule of the Qing Dynasty, the qipao survived
the political change. In the 1920s and '30s the qipao became popular as a form
of school uniform, and it also became a symbolic outfit for educated and emancipated
women.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiVCqsNHHsGmYWdGiFqPc-M19FvA_zzM8TvnPj3bRiEbW1WkmeDMpyXkq92EdgCaFRPmDAUo8XID5k20wJ34JH3nvjyjovz3wHm5oFw_AqHo499-tmKhdydnv1K2ffBnaIXcdLbfFg24/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiVCqsNHHsGmYWdGiFqPc-M19FvA_zzM8TvnPj3bRiEbW1WkmeDMpyXkq92EdgCaFRPmDAUo8XID5k20wJ34JH3nvjyjovz3wHm5oFw_AqHo499-tmKhdydnv1K2ffBnaIXcdLbfFg24/s1600/photo.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1930s advertising poster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Shanghai, the traditional Manchu gown met Western tailoring and fashion, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">evolving into something completely different from its forebear</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">.
With the influence of Western dress styles,</span> the qipao adopted a slimmer cutting, as well as </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new additions, such as the lotus collar, the Western flip collar, and the lotus sleeves. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New fabrics and designs brought new life to traditional qipao, bringing <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">a new-found sense of freedom and modernity.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"> </span> Between the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1930’s and early 1940’s the qipao </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">became not only the quintessential fashion piece of Shanghainese women but also </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">a symbol of the movement for women’s liberation</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">. </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXBhsGfNkqAuNPgyOEDTTH92DaaWqWoId-BiufUqq4BphOgRAWdCfx41oGkSVgW7FCPgXhK1qk8oAgX4eyNXi5K8wEPyc-c-LAFH8mrXWUVU3csM8tnJqUoJhcldAEuQcChpGUP3SKwo/s1600/Zhang_Ailing_1954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXBhsGfNkqAuNPgyOEDTTH92DaaWqWoId-BiufUqq4BphOgRAWdCfx41oGkSVgW7FCPgXhK1qk8oAgX4eyNXi5K8wEPyc-c-LAFH8mrXWUVU3csM8tnJqUoJhcldAEuQcChpGUP3SKwo/s1600/Zhang_Ailing_1954.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">Author and critic Eileen Chang loved to wear qipao</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being
one of the cultural symbols of the old China</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, during the communist
uprising, and later during Cultural Revolution with the adoption of the unisex
Maoist suit, the qipao almost totally disappeared on the Mainland. However, in
other Chinese communities such as Hong Kong, the qipao survived and flourished,
reaching the height of popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later
on as young people turned to more relaxed Western fashions, the qipao has been
relegated to evening and formal wear for ceremonial occasions, until its recent
comeback.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnQfjwd5TpKYr7U0PnRWVELSC3DG-SMu_EteZUMiBOzyrfgxlXbuPbzeSzDTZL-CgHFLC9_26plQ1mX3RjDAXjDS0gZqBozmV0ZKqQD_X5o-CQNCgs-xolIxS0aNksEvUV9p8JOVK0SU/s1600/W020140515634979346285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnQfjwd5TpKYr7U0PnRWVELSC3DG-SMu_EteZUMiBOzyrfgxlXbuPbzeSzDTZL-CgHFLC9_26plQ1mX3RjDAXjDS0gZqBozmV0ZKqQD_X5o-CQNCgs-xolIxS0aNksEvUV9p8JOVK0SU/s1600/W020140515634979346285.jpg" height="400" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Qipao worn at the sun-ray ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games<br />by the actress Zhang Ziyi, Nanjing Museum</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In
2007 a salon dedicated to preserving the tradition of the qipao</span> opened
in Shanghai, where Shanghainese ladies gather together to learn how to dance sit,
walk, behave and choose the right accessories to go with the dress. Initially,
its members were mainly retirees, but lately, the salon has been attracting
younger members. The picture below,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from the salon`s <a href="http://www.sh-qpsl.com/index.php" target="_blank">website</a>, shows its
member during a gathering.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk3VuoNzbpA8_vipU8yvWzO0RQmcPxqJYlq90ttaRlAlu-ZWWaZVMGVjyfd04MfqAttOzQ89a_6E4jM4qq3BR1Cw7BATmHsqE28YDJ5I9xRLynWJyYm_IUHhjI_p4OM6Irf_f39PC_2A/s1600/b_140608081744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk3VuoNzbpA8_vipU8yvWzO0RQmcPxqJYlq90ttaRlAlu-ZWWaZVMGVjyfd04MfqAttOzQ89a_6E4jM4qq3BR1Cw7BATmHsqE28YDJ5I9xRLynWJyYm_IUHhjI_p4OM6Irf_f39PC_2A/s1600/b_140608081744.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today
the qipao has become a source of inspiration for both Chinese and Western fashion
designers, but it`s not common to spot it in everyday life, outside the high-end
fashion shows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love
the qipao`s image of elegance and refined femininity, but unfortunately I don`t
own any. When I look at the beautiful women in qipao starring Wong Kar-wai’s In
the Mood for Love and 2046, or Ang Lee`s Lust, Caution, I can`t help feeling
like I would be out of place wearing one. But maybe in a couple of years, when
I`ll feel more “mature” I`ll be ready to go ahead and buy one on myself…</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxjspI2l6nfLGOsy-kOD8XqOgcJH-Jm0bNnYT5m1SqKB2nZqvS1nSSZNszuIhN0YmYnvO0w0TMw_-0MYp53yYMent5EuQhNChtP87jRHLbNAs2MryYo7ptjMSsQEq2S1MmgVTloyigz8/s1600/lust+caution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxjspI2l6nfLGOsy-kOD8XqOgcJH-Jm0bNnYT5m1SqKB2nZqvS1nSSZNszuIhN0YmYnvO0w0TMw_-0MYp53yYMent5EuQhNChtP87jRHLbNAs2MryYo7ptjMSsQEq2S1MmgVTloyigz8/s1600/lust+caution.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tang Wei in Lust, Caution</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sRRKXy4vO3VuT4gutU9CBtlbMu_79V7H_TuQFlmxfrx5r2PXaI9BATQQrJG8B-JArzJrFi7bM2V-xuVPt2vQ5JyzpeVpFlYqI1eM6NMQqpqgxZ2xmOQyFEDOBg_pn3Wmlht7qZXikmk/s1600/2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sRRKXy4vO3VuT4gutU9CBtlbMu_79V7H_TuQFlmxfrx5r2PXaI9BATQQrJG8B-JArzJrFi7bM2V-xuVPt2vQ5JyzpeVpFlYqI1eM6NMQqpqgxZ2xmOQyFEDOBg_pn3Wmlht7qZXikmk/s1600/2046.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gong Li in 2046</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ezEVrpvtDn7aIommENStsnLNyWObmM6FTi7h3AGrYzRIoR_I_5ZHqfvY1tto52amqpEi8nyIGZjmnVBiQqJQjLZwymlEeorrz1KbsIBXmqlKC8FnrG0vNEFQs00Dq6uOWEwqV9ISS8/s1600/2046_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ezEVrpvtDn7aIommENStsnLNyWObmM6FTi7h3AGrYzRIoR_I_5ZHqfvY1tto52amqpEi8nyIGZjmnVBiQqJQjLZwymlEeorrz1KbsIBXmqlKC8FnrG0vNEFQs00Dq6uOWEwqV9ISS8/s1600/2046_2.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zhang Ziyi in 2046</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t1livaZv8RnobZ3xLjgOPzD_9odSsYszAvbIwZRKbK3qZrxclw9ugUmPTcAfuvwA35tJySWTUfCLFwTbjM9n5typccfmySHcxBGw7PvpMX2BwNM-Fb9PVibckFAU45qer-RVPAywKB8/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t1livaZv8RnobZ3xLjgOPzD_9odSsYszAvbIwZRKbK3qZrxclw9ugUmPTcAfuvwA35tJySWTUfCLFwTbjM9n5typccfmySHcxBGw7PvpMX2BwNM-Fb9PVibckFAU45qer-RVPAywKB8/s1600/1.png" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie Cheung, In the Mood for Love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYB5H1nGtPVC9KAKqEwp6hSiAe9QF6ZVE00qywQ9VYeI03oiz4nbFnosMAvsQQkg6nRvPvjb_sSzLG_eCyIivzz2svdtBvcbhEF6khv8PJ5lPXz0JzVKicJQJaWdyZ9Q0tFcUXGfG3uM/s1600/31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYB5H1nGtPVC9KAKqEwp6hSiAe9QF6ZVE00qywQ9VYeI03oiz4nbFnosMAvsQQkg6nRvPvjb_sSzLG_eCyIivzz2svdtBvcbhEF6khv8PJ5lPXz0JzVKicJQJaWdyZ9Q0tFcUXGfG3uM/s1600/31.png" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, In the Mood for Love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The movies` photos are sourced from IMBD.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-65133043514535430412014-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:002014-07-13T19:59:04.698-07:00Bamboo Weaving Art<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think many of you have seen this rain hat made of bamboo and probably associate
it with Chinese peasants. In China hand weaving hats from bamboo is an ancient
folk art, and one of the first styles was precisely the round rain hat, which
was later adopted by the Red Army during World War II, becoming known as the
Red Army Hat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKZ4w9wMnayvlVQzEWORLl2dPvzqyHBhQ9McK5G8xtd8v6IYYnaQt2nLJyud92YQZniUr1t_ZTOZ8Wj2oaKRA14h_a5EloN07qhhQkbX9u6YRnKCsqmeVp5-DnYBqyFf0f-utRLopbA/s1600/rain+hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKZ4w9wMnayvlVQzEWORLl2dPvzqyHBhQ9McK5G8xtd8v6IYYnaQt2nLJyud92YQZniUr1t_ZTOZ8Wj2oaKRA14h_a5EloN07qhhQkbX9u6YRnKCsqmeVp5-DnYBqyFf0f-utRLopbA/s1600/rain+hats.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In China the Bamboo Waving Art obviously doesn`t limit itself to
rain hats. The product range is actually very wide, and items are classified
according to their form and function. Some examples include baskets, trays,
jars, boxes, cases, vases, folding screens, models of animals and figures,
buildings, furniture, lamps and lanterns, bags, toys, fans and mats. Some are
graceful pieces of art for decoration or enjoyment and some are indispensable
commodities.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2n6BRfYQ742rJjY3U_0NVl9WCUaZHwzAPhRZvDTmSEwPV9BN9_tOL_WXbyeWyBYVhA1kPNiei1GoWRvwIfIZJ44B6s7Bo0jJukrLtf4_Id-o4GCpRerTA9FV2gznRKmCJqygVqCkygF0/s1600/_DSC1779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2n6BRfYQ742rJjY3U_0NVl9WCUaZHwzAPhRZvDTmSEwPV9BN9_tOL_WXbyeWyBYVhA1kPNiei1GoWRvwIfIZJ44B6s7Bo0jJukrLtf4_Id-o4GCpRerTA9FV2gznRKmCJqygVqCkygF0/s1600/_DSC1779.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artisan weaving an elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">China is rich in bamboo resources and has a long history of using
and planting bamboos. The history of bamboo weaves can be even traced back to the
Neolithic Age (around 6000 BC). Many relics of bamboo weaves (mainly baskets
and other appliances for food storage) were found in Zhejiang Province archaeological</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sites, showing that bamboo weaves were widely used by people at the time.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nowadays Sichuan Province, Hunan and Hubei Provinces, as well as Zhejiang
Province are well-known for their distinctive bamboo products and bamboo
weaving products, some of which are highly decorative. The style of the
products often varies according to place of production. For example animal
models are characteristic of Shengxian in Zhejiang province, woven surrounds
for porcelain articles are from Chengdu and famous fans come from Zigong,
Sichuan Province.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MrOeosYjFvBxPWm5-9vMMTE7HVqqqKZsrgCXShyS2ol7yFpM28FLJsJzmvIIe1pW1VlY5GaXj62Fzf2tHLLx3QZOVikMENPy7DM-At7w6aA_okCfha6nT0RYHMWFclJp0TpUVoA1rQI/s1600/_DSC1764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MrOeosYjFvBxPWm5-9vMMTE7HVqqqKZsrgCXShyS2ol7yFpM28FLJsJzmvIIe1pW1VlY5GaXj62Fzf2tHLLx3QZOVikMENPy7DM-At7w6aA_okCfha6nT0RYHMWFclJp0TpUVoA1rQI/s1600/_DSC1764.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lampshade from <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Shengxian</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The craft of bamboo weaving is passed on to the apprentice by the
master and it`s said that the apprentices need at least three years to learn
the craft. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Through many complicated working procedures, bamboo is cut into
strips and pieces of various widths, thicknesses, lengths and sizes, and then
woven into different patterns with techniques that require considerable skill
and experience. A piece of bamboo joint can be cut into more than twenty pieces
and each piece has its own usage. Bamboo weaving is also very strict in terms
of choosing the bamboo,</span> <span lang="EN-US">different products must
be made of bamboo in different growing period.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7sjyyTexVLE_776RkaV9VUdfwsBBaC5uzqFQw2pujykinNUH2YiqdYiweBEfwv_WfDyxvfkCN6lVNg5Qc6rAVhBGbBfZ6M9GQrzK_sF374Hjq2fvY9rZQNunSK5lMofOZoOGJVD2SM0/s1600/_DSC1781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7sjyyTexVLE_776RkaV9VUdfwsBBaC5uzqFQw2pujykinNUH2YiqdYiweBEfwv_WfDyxvfkCN6lVNg5Qc6rAVhBGbBfZ6M9GQrzK_sF374Hjq2fvY9rZQNunSK5lMofOZoOGJVD2SM0/s1600/_DSC1781.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two kinds of bamboo splits used for weaving: bamboo
threads, whose thickness and width are approximately equal, and bamboo strips, which
are broad and extremely thin. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nU-DuFna6q3qZM-H6F0VmKabyEy02YkGd69_Lo_mO6gmF4NBz0DmdPaDwwE5wtMGnJv1H0B0enEROAQyhcQfiluQcAFoNVlVcke3C4V6kxKORIVTg3aKHrBZvEgZ5N3LtIhBgZuzXKg/s1600/_DSC1755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nU-DuFna6q3qZM-H6F0VmKabyEy02YkGd69_Lo_mO6gmF4NBz0DmdPaDwwE5wtMGnJv1H0B0enEROAQyhcQfiluQcAFoNVlVcke3C4V6kxKORIVTg3aKHrBZvEgZ5N3LtIhBgZuzXKg/s1600/_DSC1755.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different kinds of bamboo splits and threads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bamboo threads are mostly used for making
articles such as baskets, boxes, bottles, jars and dolls, which are woven from
the base upwards. After the base is finished the weaving continues spirally
upwards. Bamboo strips are used for making bamboo mats and curtains, which are usually
woven from the middle outwards to the borders and corners. Some products like
lamps and hats are weaved over a mold.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGTKA0Rnj0Wb6ATlbmuLtTfSIgoY0WGsFi6X5alBHPvqKOSQr4QfYSf3M4KjtcX0Vq80euQckZZun3_ak4QZoZ1Alr_7LwWSBpBXGDkKv2-SF0i4QDBAQbU_6JBP-hYR78wnoAUq2D6I/s1600/_DSC1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGTKA0Rnj0Wb6ATlbmuLtTfSIgoY0WGsFi6X5alBHPvqKOSQr4QfYSf3M4KjtcX0Vq80euQckZZun3_ak4QZoZ1Alr_7LwWSBpBXGDkKv2-SF0i4QDBAQbU_6JBP-hYR78wnoAUq2D6I/s1600/_DSC1757.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vase mold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9gVXgHcfoOlZICbtOJRGuxWb6ItfKzr6AFb1y1dOp8ykWNEzVBb_Ps4f1K6j6DvLZG3gM58ZLnzKWzOteD_XCJI218xH8uY4yARLGdFUAK5jrOkgbeFcM08wZbEfcmfzH0wsBj9oOIM/s1600/_DSC1759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9gVXgHcfoOlZICbtOJRGuxWb6ItfKzr6AFb1y1dOp8ykWNEzVBb_Ps4f1K6j6DvLZG3gM58ZLnzKWzOteD_XCJI218xH8uY4yARLGdFUAK5jrOkgbeFcM08wZbEfcmfzH0wsBj9oOIM/s1600/_DSC1759.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides splitting, the bamboo goes through other procedures, for
example, boiling is required to finalize the shape, soften the thin strips and
avoid cracking. The strips also go through a plane to ensure the same thickness
and through a conduit to ensure the same width. Finally, according to the
design, there might be also procedures like dyeing, plating and polishing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately bamboo products have been mainly replaced by cheaper
plastic and metal products, although in recent years bamboo baskets and many
other bamboo weaves have gain back their popularity because of their
environmentally friendly characteristics. Due to the fact that it regenerates
very rapidly, bamboo is considered as a matter of fact a sustainable material
and an incredibly durable alternative to our limited global supply of hardwood.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bamboo weaves today have combined practical use and aesthetic functions,
with many new products appearing. With nature becoming a dream for those people
living in cities, holding a bamboo basket when going shopping might be a way of
returning to a more natural life.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pictures in this post were taken at DongFeng Bamboo Weaving Workshop in </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zhejiang province, whose highly skilled artisans are renowned nationally and internationally. The owner of this workshop was awarded the title of National Bamboo Art Master and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zhejiang Arts and Crafts Master</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and he`s one of the few remaining craftsman able to weave bamboo threads as thin as a human hair, creating amazing pieces of art.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQoR3EmU0A1DST8ZvaHl70B98TF08Az_RaZeuqEHgBMMix7XGcx9skU2hmp8H1iYc-TzWD-DtDhycoCYB2cqW4GjdHjs5GKe5UI3i7hijR4q6TI8g5ONEfNJTvIIUmBNJNPMEu-OCcoo/s1600/picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQoR3EmU0A1DST8ZvaHl70B98TF08Az_RaZeuqEHgBMMix7XGcx9skU2hmp8H1iYc-TzWD-DtDhycoCYB2cqW4GjdHjs5GKe5UI3i7hijR4q6TI8g5ONEfNJTvIIUmBNJNPMEu-OCcoo/s1600/picture.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-86363987015121311312014-07-06T19:40:00.002-07:002014-07-07T01:44:24.676-07:00Auspicious Chinese Characters, Numbers and Objects<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written Chinese characters have both decorative and symbolic
value. For instance, during New Year celebrations, families display the
character for “good fortune” (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">福</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fú) written on red paper. The paper is sometimes turned upside
down to mean that “blessings have arrived” since “upside down” (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">倒</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dào) has the
same sound as “arrived” (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">到</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dào).</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJB9YM9BMKXO9ZtiYWdQr8A1iQ9FLqJzNL6C8CjkxhkA0zAvjdqq9J5tO2ZAjg0WEHmFXmqugXqx4LYeJoZZaJOtcNypHJEpJR34J-W85oQTvgrgjRMQzod0p_AZC9jZTFYpiqFtYvVk/s1600/fu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJB9YM9BMKXO9ZtiYWdQr8A1iQ9FLqJzNL6C8CjkxhkA0zAvjdqq9J5tO2ZAjg0WEHmFXmqugXqx4LYeJoZZaJOtcNypHJEpJR34J-W85oQTvgrgjRMQzod0p_AZC9jZTFYpiqFtYvVk/s1600/fu.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upside down Fu on a door in Wuxi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Designs featuring the characters Wan (</span>万<span lang="EN-US"> = ten
thousand), Shou (</span>寿<span lang="EN-US"> = life,
longevity) and double Xi (</span><span lang="ZH-CN">喜</span><span lang="EN-US"> = happiness)
are also very common in Chinese arts and symbolize auspiciousness, longevity
and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">In the Wan Zi Wen (</span>卍字文<span lang="EN-US">) design, “</span>卍<span lang="EN-US">” is the
equivalent of the Chinese Wan (</span>万<span lang="EN-US">). It originated from Sanskrit, and it`s common to see it
extending in four directions or in combination with several characters to form
a square pattern, which symbolizes permanence as well as numerous fortune and
longevity. In Tibet this design is widely used on clothes, usually embroidered
on the back, as a symbol of auspiciousness and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the doors and windows of both
aristocratic families and common people were decorated with paper cuts
featuring this design. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd-lhi_LjdwTSLmZlV2VzrBedVJ6M1C3Sa3oxDZWqquqXUAV1Xb-ahhbH9SZpCdnD-EF_629xUt7EJAuXiNL5bn9WQvmoNFtPMiDnMlW5p3H2jw-qPguXIIo3oY4NKsHOxokzgi39el4/s1600/wan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUd-lhi_LjdwTSLmZlV2VzrBedVJ6M1C3Sa3oxDZWqquqXUAV1Xb-ahhbH9SZpCdnD-EF_629xUt7EJAuXiNL5bn9WQvmoNFtPMiDnMlW5p3H2jw-qPguXIIo3oY4NKsHOxokzgi39el4/s1600/wan.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wan design on a door window in Wuxi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shou (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">寿</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), which
means longevity, is one of the favorite characters of the Chinese people, and it
reflects their passion for life as well their pursuit of longevity. There can
be either one character or several characters on the pattern, and they can take
different shapes.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2fAUZpi4GMwZcgMrm7ShQtaHPt-toVH_G0qb3Tdk2oQDeUzoCtS1QJDyjRfhv8p8zzGcooxiMRzb9rjEQ3dWJgbxnBOk7hMjy6QT8ytE8CsccDtQxo4h42NqpVNTlCUQjiJH2ATz04k/s1600/bats-wan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2fAUZpi4GMwZcgMrm7ShQtaHPt-toVH_G0qb3Tdk2oQDeUzoCtS1QJDyjRfhv8p8zzGcooxiMRzb9rjEQ3dWJgbxnBOk7hMjy6QT8ytE8CsccDtQxo4h42NqpVNTlCUQjiJH2ATz04k/s1600/bats-wan.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vase with Shou, Wan and Bats design, Nanjing Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the double Xi (</span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">喜</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) design two
connected characters are used to symbolize good luck and happiness, and it`s
widely used especially on paper cuts and New Year paintings to imply the advent
of double blessings or great happiness.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXJSt0ANF2syLA0yAqQe3CgqOKaNjO83ofk0MQzsNIgS8bsXWr0YVsjykD3P448WWz-DWy49rd8hGbukwJ9VFjumgBNQ3AFPkAuRgh5ST0yFoSDQF7Ronw0tgqF_9YEoNAnyZHvH2Pr8/s1600/xi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXJSt0ANF2syLA0yAqQe3CgqOKaNjO83ofk0MQzsNIgS8bsXWr0YVsjykD3P448WWz-DWy49rd8hGbukwJ9VFjumgBNQ3AFPkAuRgh5ST0yFoSDQF7Ronw0tgqF_9YEoNAnyZHvH2Pr8/s1600/xi.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waist pouch embroidered with character Xi, Qing Dynasty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among designs
featuring items with auspicious meaning, Chinese ancient coins, round in
external shape and with a square hole in the center, are certainly the most
known. In ancient times people believed that earth has a square shape and heaven
is round, so the round shape symbolizes heaven, and the internal square
represents earth. When used by humans, the coins represent the engagement
luck of "Heaven-Earth-Mankind." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Designs
featuring the coin pattern are considered capable of attracting wealth,
prosperity, and endless fortune, and they are especially common on doors,
porcelain, embroidery, paper cuts, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHFzpuS3ipUv0PpQAoarLJFF3wU6CPzsXpGq9KVJvcfZH7BPTKMCPQPfvQFg1wUUw3pejK22I5j_tnGdeHE_NXqQZtjsgbzzPgCcU-dOWvROv1DllrHAiQZwPjVoETh5ppHICWwwnJ6s/s1600/coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHFzpuS3ipUv0PpQAoarLJFF3wU6CPzsXpGq9KVJvcfZH7BPTKMCPQPfvQFg1wUUw3pejK22I5j_tnGdeHE_NXqQZtjsgbzzPgCcU-dOWvROv1DllrHAiQZwPjVoETh5ppHICWwwnJ6s/s1600/coins.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese ancient coins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_x2tRmpyPQvdbcx5T078oBPli48i3Wq_mJBl5jPgJWXGhwRDBkciihL_Gr7ujRUimKSc5JQimTVDUtrVcauY_IsyN-XTjmhOTu6kvW2vdHkkm2o5fNSkBFD3OI_himiAKSIQj5WGJw8/s1600/papercut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_x2tRmpyPQvdbcx5T078oBPli48i3Wq_mJBl5jPgJWXGhwRDBkciihL_Gr7ujRUimKSc5JQimTVDUtrVcauY_IsyN-XTjmhOTu6kvW2vdHkkm2o5fNSkBFD3OI_himiAKSIQj5WGJw8/s1600/papercut.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper cut with coin pattern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are
familiar with Tibetan Buddhism you certainly know about Ashtamangala, or the “Eight
Auspicious Objects”, which are instruments used in Buddhist services and
include the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Endless Knot</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the Wheel, the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lotus, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Golden Fish, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Conch Shell</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Parasol</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treasure Vase </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Victory Banner.
In Chinese crafts, designs featuring the Eight Auspicious Objects became very popular
during the Qing and Ming Dynasties, and on the patterns you can see these eight
objects either independently or together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSZyw1JsV83OwpSPKKBAhdfx4Ru3hyphenhyphen0jR7NdDs5sNApyMl5R3mzM7ELWVZ6nj30piPDZQ97NzQMHv2wg1pC_blO3C1mOItz3yHkahpHPu5NFwZIv_4AI8FcvEWlIqJxfvT3iR4gxmDd4/s1600/8+treasures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSZyw1JsV83OwpSPKKBAhdfx4Ru3hyphenhyphen0jR7NdDs5sNApyMl5R3mzM7ELWVZ6nj30piPDZQ97NzQMHv2wg1pC_blO3C1mOItz3yHkahpHPu5NFwZIv_4AI8FcvEWlIqJxfvT3iR4gxmDd4/s1600/8+treasures.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eight auspicious objects", in the same order as above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinobeRYBTGWYl8o9zUJxPXeZlij-Py7ccrUUmz1nh_R5xYsHp6boNtfbxH1116uUHubfMjzritxirb7wrabGOg8mePM0q9QCt3W9qt2WffdDI6ZOzp9SVwyTFnJHWoCwmXS-imi1jNU_w/s1600/8+treasures+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinobeRYBTGWYl8o9zUJxPXeZlij-Py7ccrUUmz1nh_R5xYsHp6boNtfbxH1116uUHubfMjzritxirb7wrabGOg8mePM0q9QCt3W9qt2WffdDI6ZOzp9SVwyTFnJHWoCwmXS-imi1jNU_w/s1600/8+treasures+plate.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate with the "Eight auspicious objects", Shanghai Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certain numbers are also believed to be auspicious, and even
though you won`t see them painted or embroidered somewhere, they recur in some patterns,
like for example, the five bats design. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Five (</span>五 <span lang="EN-US">- <i>Wǔ</i></span>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The number five is a very auspicious number and associated with
the Five Elements (</span>五行<i><span lang="EN-US">wŭxíng</span></i><span lang="EN-US">) of water (</span>水<i><span lang="EN-US">shuǐ</span></i><span lang="EN-US">), fire (</span>火<i><span lang="EN-US">huǒ</span></i><span lang="EN-US">), wood (</span>木<i><span lang="EN-US">mù</span></i><span lang="EN-US">), metal (</span>金<i><span lang="EN-US">j</span>īn</i><span lang="EN-US">) and earth (</span>土<i><span lang="EN-US">t</span>ǔ</i><span lang="EN-US">) which are
essential for a good life. The <i>wŭxíng</i></span>
are one of the basic organizational principles in Chinese thought, which is why
the number five appears ever-present as in the Five Blessings, Five Classics or
the Five Metals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Eight (</span>八 - <i><span lang="EN-US">Bā</span></i><span lang="EN-US">)
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Ba for eight is pronounced similarly to <i>fā</i></span> (发<span lang="EN-US">)</span><span lang="EN-US"> for “to
expand”, as in “fortune” (</span>发财<i><span lang="EN-US">fācái</span></i><span lang="EN-US">). Due to
this connection, people like to include the number eight in items such as
telephone numbers, street addresses and car registration plates as they believe
it will bring good fortune. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Nine (</span>九 - <i><span lang="EN-US">Jiǔ</span></i><span lang="EN-US">) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The number nine is the highest single digit number and was
traditionally associated with the Emperor. In addition, it has the same
pronunciation as <i>jiǔ</i></span> (久<span lang="EN-US">) “long
lasting” and is often used at weddings with the wish for a long and successful
marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the last post dedicated to auspicious symbols and designs,
due to the broadness of the topic I had to choose only a few symbols to talk about,
but I hope it brought you a little bit closer to Chinese culture! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/chinese-auspicious-symbols-and-designs.html"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Read the introduction about Auspicious Symbols and Designs</span></a>.<br />
<a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/auspicious-beasts-and-birds.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Back to Part 1 - Auspicious Beasts and Birds.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-flowers-and-plants.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Back to Part 2 - Auspicious Flowers and Plants</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-immortal-figures.html" target="_blank">Back to Part 3 - Auspicious Immortal Figures</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-76771850285203878772014-07-06T19:32:00.001-07:002014-07-09T01:05:39.031-07:00Wuxi Clay Figurines – Trip to Huishan Ancient Town<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week we visited a workshop in Huishan Ancient Town
specialized in making Clay Figurines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The owners are Ni Jun and Cao Zhiwei, a young couple who in
2007 joined a project launched by the Chinese Government aiming to preserve Chinese
Intangible Heritage and teach young craftsmen the technique of making clay
figurines. They studied with three representatives of the highest level of clay
kneading, rewarded the status of master of national arts and crafts in this
field, Yu XiangLian, Wang NanXian and Liu ChengYin. In
2012 they open their workshop in Huishan Ancient Town, where they mix tradition
with innovation to make clay figurines of extraordinary vividness and
refinement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the workshop</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the workshop you can also try to knead the clay and make your own figurine. Cao Zhiwei taught me how to make this panda. Since I used to make salt dough when I was a kid I was quite confident in my skills, but the clay is actually not so easy to knead and, as it also turns out, I`m obviously very bad with proportions.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before talking about the clay figurines I`d like to spend a
few words about the picturesque Huishan Ancient Town. Located at the foot of
Mt. Huishan in Wuxi (Jiangsu Province), a 10 minutes ride by taxi from the
station, Huishan Ancient Town has a history of more than 2.000 years and abounds
in well preserved authentic temples and ancestral halls.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The old streets have been restored, and now is a free open
air museum, where you can see lovely traditional buildings with stone
guardians, carved rafters, beautiful stonework and elaborately carved wooden
fronts, all this with scenic hills in the background and a canal flowing
through the central part of the town. It`s also possible to visit a few of the
houses, temples and gardens. The most attractive part of this place, especially
for those who need a break from the overcrowded Shanghai, is that there are very
few visitors, it`s probably the least commercialized touristic sites in Jiangsu
Province, and is therefore very quite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">In the area around Huishan can be found a fine-grained type
of clay characterized by high viscosity and flexibility, which neither cracks
when drying nor breaks when stretched. The local clay has been used since
the Ming Dynasty to make Wuxi Huishan clay figurines, which nowadays are still
representative of clay toys in China. </span><span lang="EN-US"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Huishan clay figurines can be divided into two categories, coarse
and fine. The two styles differ in their shape, decoration, production, and
also history. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coarse clay figurines feature a simple and distinctive folk
style, bright colors and many more auspicious themes. They are first shaped
with a simple mold, and then hand painted by artisans. The main styles of
traditional figurines are animals and chubby babies depicted with rosy cheeks
and bright eyes to show their good health. The babies are always shown holding
plants, animals, or household objects with allegorical meanings promising
heath, wealth, or happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most popular designs is “Da A Fu”, based on a local
folk tale about the guardians of Huishan. According to the legend many years
ago in the Huishan area lived wild beasts endangering children. To rescue the children
the Jade Emperor sent two fairies, one in the form of a baby boy and the other
a baby girl. They were without equal in strength, and as soon as they smiled
the beasts would fall into their embrace. Since then, people began to enjoy
peace and prosperity, and to thank them, local people used the clay of Huishan
to mold the images of the babies and enshrined and worshipped them. Because
they had brought happiness, the local people gave them the name "Da A fu",
meaning "great happiness". </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among animal figurines cats are the most classic design. One
of the main industries in Jiangsu province has always been silk production, and
peasants traditionally kept cats to scare away mice, a threat for silk
worms. The cat figurines were both a good luck charm against mice, and
also a reminder of the prosperity that came from a successful silk
harvest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine clay figurines are completely handmade, more creative
and vivid, and some of the most popular motifs are drawn from Chinese myths and
legends, characters in classical operas, beautiful women, and playing children.
It`s very fascinating to observe the process of making fine clay figurines, how
black clay is made into vivid, lifelike human figures by skillful hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W3yzxzDdlPdwREMYQM1hUybeTAXACedX6r6Py-e9B1nAC8VHCx7LSPhdMr7pCVZVXtSJc77itYr3YUg-pyigOXm1xuhaiNi6QpF1teWywvrSoNx1HPlvZLL94U8H4LCEwtWuCjIJ2OQ/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W3yzxzDdlPdwREMYQM1hUybeTAXACedX6r6Py-e9B1nAC8VHCx7LSPhdMr7pCVZVXtSJc77itYr3YUg-pyigOXm1xuhaiNi6QpF1teWywvrSoNx1HPlvZLL94U8H4LCEwtWuCjIJ2OQ/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_cQ_Pso1iHerBVsmhGLmYGGFabZmvQV5Zx-tXqzaFMHKI2CYSnsWHKA3arSD_8tdVRjZLI3RpIpJTecRIu_lE3HSZk1huSUo0NOtjW51qRKWueTziIrwxM8VHTnafC2fskyGBq4vfKY/s1600/IMG_3438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_cQ_Pso1iHerBVsmhGLmYGGFabZmvQV5Zx-tXqzaFMHKI2CYSnsWHKA3arSD_8tdVRjZLI3RpIpJTecRIu_lE3HSZk1huSUo0NOtjW51qRKWueTziIrwxM8VHTnafC2fskyGBq4vfKY/s1600/IMG_3438.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether coarse or fine, the clay figurines of Huishan are all
artworks of clay, which combine clay sculpture with colored drawings. More than
a dozen processes are involved, including filtering and beating the clay,
designing, hand-molding, molding, engraved molding, repairing, priming,
coloring and oiling. Coarse figurines are mostly made with molds. First, the
craftsman makes a prototype to make a mold, which is then used to press out
clay bases. They are then brushed with a writing brush dipped in water or
rubbed with a wet cloth to make the bases smooth and neat. After being
air-dried, the clay bases are colored and painted. Molds are not allowed in
making fine figurines, which must be hand-molded by accomplished artists. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Decorating clay figurines with colored drawings is an important part in
their production. A saying goes that a good clay figurine depends 30 percent on
molding and 70 percent on its colored drawings. After painting with
colors, black ink is necessary to define and draw facial lines and hair.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlogEsXNLawuGYNDQ43PEp9JK-0DWppavMXTl5OkvdEahtlhr74l5DGempK3Nge98rSQkgy9J_AHGpWNHRuPwVtt0yXws5joZkN-n_e6SAIfRSxem35_OQHhFrZkpypX53IrRbHKLdmC4/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlogEsXNLawuGYNDQ43PEp9JK-0DWppavMXTl5OkvdEahtlhr74l5DGempK3Nge98rSQkgy9J_AHGpWNHRuPwVtt0yXws5joZkN-n_e6SAIfRSxem35_OQHhFrZkpypX53IrRbHKLdmC4/s1600/IMG_0213.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cao Zhiwei in the process of painting coarse figurines</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68lw4yq9zCAznB71MbiMjgjFsVlaSHFfvYEXDXfXqB-cG3QNsI-3EDEmks9sO62FMLCUBkh4uxn7Mf68FfQFyliNvR5I6Mvt4fNSnDtswb1kwpVq9MvJmKgc8890Ad8bhWBoHPYbmSlQ/s1600/IMG_3455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68lw4yq9zCAznB71MbiMjgjFsVlaSHFfvYEXDXfXqB-cG3QNsI-3EDEmks9sO62FMLCUBkh4uxn7Mf68FfQFyliNvR5I6Mvt4fNSnDtswb1kwpVq9MvJmKgc8890Ad8bhWBoHPYbmSlQ/s1600/IMG_3455.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ni Jun kneading a fine figurine</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiLnWVib-H3RviqxsI1QUh8TOam2M_cLpSB5YUWnYXXseVjmKgZ8uZV2n5c_CyQ6XP_vd8yYMd_Xq4X_T9X6UK_-AugD2FdO-q7GAXAzgZyYEVL2jW7ygxkbsRBn-lPEeDxVq7SEtPoA/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiLnWVib-H3RviqxsI1QUh8TOam2M_cLpSB5YUWnYXXseVjmKgZ8uZV2n5c_CyQ6XP_vd8yYMd_Xq4X_T9X6UK_-AugD2FdO-q7GAXAzgZyYEVL2jW7ygxkbsRBn-lPEeDxVq7SEtPoA/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-67649130458242912222014-07-02T03:46:00.003-07:002014-07-03T23:43:26.075-07:00Auspicious Immortal Figures<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using the image of humans as the core of auspicious patterns was a
kind of self-recognition for ancient Chinese people. Patterns with human are
usually more complicated than those with animals and plants, and there is
always an interesting story behind each design.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Eight Immortals (</span>八仙<span lang="EN-US">- <i>Bāxiān</i></span>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Eight immortals (the leader Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Zhang
Guolao (or Elder Zhang Guo), Cao Guojiu (or Royal Uncle Cao), Li Tieguai (or
Iron-crutch Li), Han Xiangzi (or Philosopher Han Xiang), Lan Caihe and He
Xiangu (or Immortal Woman He) are legendary figures in the Chinese Taoist mythology,
said to have lived at various times and attained immortality through their
studies of nature’s secrets. They are popular in Chinese art as altogether they
symbolize prosperity and longevity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Eight Immortals are usually represented together, and they are
considered to be mildly amusing and relatively harmless beings who spend their
time entertaining themselves in various ways.</span> Patterns with the Eight
Immortals Crossing the sea is particularly popular and behind it there is an
interesting story. The legend says that one day, when the Eight Immortals are
drinking, Tieguai Li suggests that they pay a visit to the sea. Everybody
agrees merrily and decide that they should cross the sea with their own skill
instead of taking a boat. Han Zhongli throws his big palm leaf into the sea, jumps
on it and with his belly exposed floats away on the fan. Tieguai Li puts his
crutch into the sea and sits on it. Zhang Guolao leads the paper donkey he
rides into the water. He Xiangu throws into the water the lotus she is holding
in her hands, stands on it and flows away. Following them Lü Dongbin throws his
sword, Han Xiangzi his flower-basket, Lan Caihe his musical instrument,
and Cao Guojiu his tablet of admission to Court, and they all cross the sea. Today
the expression "Eight Immortals cross the sea" can refer to each
member of a group making a distinctive contribution to their collective
success, but it can also refer to each of them being left to his own devices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxxgY6E8KKbItk1_4eg5QGiBKsLG9KWE_8NMUBkl8Qkvo6CM_uRVMVJiBwwkcRM2SJ7CcbQXWiYGliOQbPe3OpceuXCbRQKKylyNUbJIK-4vC2_dVloJSnf25P4qms8klAaghyphenhyphen0dRDu4/s1600/8+immortals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxxgY6E8KKbItk1_4eg5QGiBKsLG9KWE_8NMUBkl8Qkvo6CM_uRVMVJiBwwkcRM2SJ7CcbQXWiYGliOQbPe3OpceuXCbRQKKylyNUbJIK-4vC2_dVloJSnf25P4qms8klAaghyphenhyphen0dRDu4/s1600/8+immortals.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eight Immortals crossing the sea, wood carving</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three Star Gods (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">福禄寿</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Fúlùshòu</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Three Star Gods are the God of Fortune (</span>福星 <span lang="EN-US">- Fúxīng</span>), God of Prosperity (祿星<span lang="EN-US">- Lùxīng</span>)
and God of Longevity (寿星<span lang="EN-US">- Shòuxing</span>)
The God of Fortune is depicted as a man carrying a young boy (the highest
blessing is having a male child to carry on the family name), the God of
Prosperity holds a scepter of power (symbolizing the ability to reap high
rewards), while the God of Longevity carries a tall staff and a peach
(representing immortality) and is sometimes accompanied by a crane or deer.
They are one of the major themes of Chinese folk art and they are often
represented together in New Year prints, paper cuts, etc. Altogether this
design is a symbol of good fortune, enormous wealth and longevity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrugSYnHCfxeCaQS1v10U099ovi5vowrGJKKho5y94ij3oNSISewHwtSfJFSNdm8aN5DdPpT3mQMnYKlY1uUhX8OyuSCFn9vh1ACVMi81XRDLnnpnzaVwLS3lh0KuU07wVIP4raym_F28/s1600/photo+2_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrugSYnHCfxeCaQS1v10U099ovi5vowrGJKKho5y94ij3oNSISewHwtSfJFSNdm8aN5DdPpT3mQMnYKlY1uUhX8OyuSCFn9vh1ACVMi81XRDLnnpnzaVwLS3lh0KuU07wVIP4raym_F28/s1600/photo+2_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year Print with the Three Star Gods, Qing Dynasty</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">牛郎织女</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– <i>Niú Láng Zhī Nǚ</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is one of the most
popular love stories of ancient China. According to the story, when the cowherd,
Niú Láng, was still a child, hid parents died. His brother and sister in law
took most of the family property and left him only an old cow. One day, to Niú
Láng`s surprise, the old cow started talking and told him to go to the river
bank, where several fairies were bathing. The cow asked Niú Láng to steal the
red dress lying on the bank and to hide it. Niú Láng did as told and came to
know the owner of the red dress, Zhī Nǚ</span>, the granddaughter of the
Goddess of Heaven. Zhī Nǚ and Niú Láng got married, lived happily and
had two children. However, when the Goddess of Heaven found out that Zhī Nǚ
married a mortal, got furious and ordered the troops from Heaven to bring back Zhī
Nǚ. Under the guidance of the cow, Niú Láng killed the cow, put on his
hide and carried his children in a basket off to heaven to look for Zhī Nǚ.
When Niú Láng is about to catch Zhī Nǚ, the Goddess of Heaven took out
her hairpin and scratched a wide river in the sky to separate the lovers
forever. Later, Zhī Nǚ and Niú Láng became two stars, Vega and Altair,
on the two opposite sides of the Milky Way. Out of pity the Goddess of Heaven allowed
them to get together for a single night once a year on the seventh day of the
seventh month. It`s said that on this day all the magpies in the world fly up
to heaven to form a bridge over the Milky Way so the lovers can meet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many decorative designs based on this
legend, the most common the ones with the two lovers reunited on the bridge of magpies,
and they symbolize conjugal affection and fidelity. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrPx9OyZu2r1EIZgOyEKMND4g-Sp281jhioZ6Y38Put5uL8kMA5iPHFw4RWP6c8ABnTqWWz1YJsu_V85nf4Qz-fdHBZ_XmfvPVOP0Y-ZezXqiglHhtsC7mD4PTi2kuZMKddQD4Lmqy2s/s1600/cowherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrPx9OyZu2r1EIZgOyEKMND4g-Sp281jhioZ6Y38Put5uL8kMA5iPHFw4RWP6c8ABnTqWWz1YJsu_V85nf4Qz-fdHBZ_XmfvPVOP0Y-ZezXqiglHhtsC7mD4PTi2kuZMKddQD4Lmqy2s/s1600/cowherd.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carved Lacquer Plate with Niu Lang and <br />
Zhi Nu Pattern, Qing Dynasty, Nanjing Museum </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/chinese-auspicious-symbols-and-designs.html" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Read the introduction about Auspicious Symbols and Designs</a>.</span><br style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/auspicious-beasts-and-birds.html" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Back to Part 1 - Auspicious Beasts and Birds.</a></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-flowers-and-plants.html" target="_blank">Back to part 2 - Auspicious Flowers and Plants</a>.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-28250680335499430192014-07-02T03:29:00.004-07:002014-07-02T03:29:45.833-07:00Auspicious Flowers and Plants<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patterns with the images of plants and flowers are the most
diversified and widely used, and many of them are combined with animals. Flower,
branches and leaves are often depicted in odd number to convey the dynamic
irregularity of the life force, and unopened buds are included among flowers in
bloom to represent life’s continuous journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Bamboo (</span>竹<span lang="EN-US">- <i>Zhú</i></span>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bamboo is a homophone for “congratulate”. As it can survive the
hardest natural conditions and remains green all year round it`s also a symbol
of longevity and vitality. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">According to a folk tale, in the mountains of southern China lived
creatures with human face, body of a monkey, one hand and one foot, who robbed
fire from villages in winter. The villagers found out by chance that the
cracking sound from burning bamboo frightened those creatures, so they started
burning bamboo on New Year Eve to keep the creatures away and to pray for peace
and safety, ritual which became a tradition. After gunpowder was invented
bamboos were replaced by firecrackers, but the name was preserved: firecrackers
are still called <i>Bàozhú</i></span> (爆竹<span lang="EN-US">), which
means cracking bamboos. Designs with boys letting off firecrackers are very
popular on New Year prints, paper cuts and porcelain, and symbolize the expelling
of evil spirits and yearning for peace and safety.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrt0CpXvh41gIuyW69CiJsartMy_0S_UpNZF3GmrAt0MKQjhjbTdK4Udg-kLxdu96OkVs5SfJQJAKQ5RT_b3ibZ61ZhuZLq1b9z5FYwzT-wOAJOujjAwNv4ukup-thWfABpYuNF14Ea0/s1600/firecracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrt0CpXvh41gIuyW69CiJsartMy_0S_UpNZF3GmrAt0MKQjhjbTdK4Udg-kLxdu96OkVs5SfJQJAKQ5RT_b3ibZ61ZhuZLq1b9z5FYwzT-wOAJOujjAwNv4ukup-thWfABpYuNF14Ea0/s1600/firecracker.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys letting off firecrackers, detail of a vase, late Qing Dynasty</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plum blossom (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">梅花 - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Méihuā</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the first flower to bloom each year, the plum blossom stands
for renewal and purity. The five petals of the plum blossom are auspicious, and
stand for happiness, prosperity, longevity, bliss and wealth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39_v2ZtwNe-cYtFEnMl0hMzRjYxPpwksAJ1Nau7iG_xpGJKY9IvoQMh-M5BOQ4-UPGcXMXDLjHZEjRtak06csDlH8ro7AoPD1mgwnDMGeIVImz1f18Lfr9l_mXrqaxap85bMZ0avjmU/s1600/plum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39_v2ZtwNe-cYtFEnMl0hMzRjYxPpwksAJ1Nau7iG_xpGJKY9IvoQMh-M5BOQ4-UPGcXMXDLjHZEjRtak06csDlH8ro7AoPD1mgwnDMGeIVImz1f18Lfr9l_mXrqaxap85bMZ0avjmU/s1600/plum.jpg" height="400" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper cut with plum flowers</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pine, bamboo and plum (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">歲寒三友 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Suìhánsānyǒu</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When shown together the pine, bamboo and plum are known as “The
Three Friends of Winter”. Although they are of different families, the
evergreen pine trees, the straight bamboo, as well as the plum tree that
blossoms in winter, have a common character of nobility and fortitude. As all
of them can brave the coldness in winter, they are symbols of longevity and
perseverance, which are virtues attributed to the scholar-gentleman.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi6yQwKMkY7jX7bZVVEgsrGziknXXsYndlAhdta_7cvYdNQT_NgDH4SOfpH6zApFEn1dDkRdPn7O3tXdMzNOpRzYQ-zuuCYIBlMcPEsVFe7ntIcCM3sdKCMvsLQ0Qgjm_GGBwiKpsdFY/s1600/Three_Friends_of_Winter_by_Zhao_Mengjian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi6yQwKMkY7jX7bZVVEgsrGziknXXsYndlAhdta_7cvYdNQT_NgDH4SOfpH6zApFEn1dDkRdPn7O3tXdMzNOpRzYQ-zuuCYIBlMcPEsVFe7ntIcCM3sdKCMvsLQ0Qgjm_GGBwiKpsdFY/s1600/Three_Friends_of_Winter_by_Zhao_Mengjian.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Friends of Winter, Zhao Mengjian</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chrysanthemum (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">菊花 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Júhuā</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since ancient times the chrysanthemum has been one of the most
favored flowers by Chinese scholars. It is a symbol of longevity because of its
health-giving properties, hence the name “the flower of elegance and longevity”.
During the Han dynasty, people drank chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the
ninth lunar month in order to prolong their lives. Nowadays, the Chinese
continue to drink chrysanthemum petal tea for its health giving qualities. Chrysanthemum
is also considered the hermit among all flowers, therefore it`s a symbol of
virtuous men. It is also a symbol of many descendents and great blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYKIn0P2ojQRWtxko4q5w39zKeJ6l_H9ssXoIDUxxKLJGg1g-iuIPZEjb8nigCf20bJ4ASId_OIawt83hAMrkaJahRvJDjeioT6hGTbgAvcaAZcJHMlZ-qBLbu1hnrjbCZvQhh1gc0-8/s1600/chrysanthemums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYKIn0P2ojQRWtxko4q5w39zKeJ6l_H9ssXoIDUxxKLJGg1g-iuIPZEjb8nigCf20bJ4ASId_OIawt83hAMrkaJahRvJDjeioT6hGTbgAvcaAZcJHMlZ-qBLbu1hnrjbCZvQhh1gc0-8/s1600/chrysanthemums.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysanthemums - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: UrbanoLight, arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">ink and color on paper, </span>Unidentified Artist<br />
MET Online Collection</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lotus (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">荷</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Hé</i>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">莲 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Lián</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The lotus is a symbol of purity because it rises out of the mud to
bloom, and is therefore also known as the “noblest flower”. In Buddhism, lotus
is the holy flower and the embodiment of Pure Land, and after this religion was
introduced in China, it became an important image of Buddhist decorations. Lotus
blossoms are often depicted as a throne for the Buddha, and it is one of the
Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism (</span>八吉祥<span lang="EN-US">Bājíxiáng</span>). The most commonly seen auspicious design featuring
the lotus flower is the image of the lotus blossom with petals of different
shape, symbolizing health and safety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYGgjtl9s9x7pOD2Ru-FW73y9kWkYbTs3uvfw_VTE1jua8uhqOWpEwWyiUmhjFLualdtPk9BBsa4DAgF-j2P1PBUf7tc2XpV4iGU3GV2mqrgpCYDgUan6NKlN7JIfxz_XhssNpN_Kl_E/s1600/lotus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYGgjtl9s9x7pOD2Ru-FW73y9kWkYbTs3uvfw_VTE1jua8uhqOWpEwWyiUmhjFLualdtPk9BBsa4DAgF-j2P1PBUf7tc2XpV4iGU3GV2mqrgpCYDgUan6NKlN7JIfxz_XhssNpN_Kl_E/s1600/lotus.jpg" height="188" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green bowl and stand carved with green petals, Suzhou Museum</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peach (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">桃 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Táo</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">A symbol of longevity, the peach is one of the most popular motifs
found in art. The peach is a symbol of longevity, said to have grown in the
orchard of the Queen Mother of the West (</span>西王母 <span lang="EN-US">- <i>Xīwángmǔ</i></span>)
on the Kunlun Mountain. According to the legend, it takes three thousand years
for the trees to blossom and another three thousand years for them to bear
fruits. On her birthday, the Queen Mother of the West would host a banquet where
the immortals are invited to taste the peaches. It is from one of these
banquets that Monkey King Sun Wukong stole the peaches and got into a lot of
trouble, but that`s another story. The God of longevity worshiped by the
Chinese is often depicted as having fresh peaches one hand and walking stick in
the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfsjHK1l6OYr7Y6GovbcBq1E-Qe5kCCGDPH6cKbcPzM5DKua2vVdj-OqmT0Hecg5JNuaJJIxRzABsYADby2UduNY02xcJqfiuFEvqIxGR5QUxFEoQ-QIbJw6-ddwDBNH-OPGrWijnRZ8/s1600/bats+&+peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfsjHK1l6OYr7Y6GovbcBq1E-Qe5kCCGDPH6cKbcPzM5DKua2vVdj-OqmT0Hecg5JNuaJJIxRzABsYADby2UduNY02xcJqfiuFEvqIxGR5QUxFEoQ-QIbJw6-ddwDBNH-OPGrWijnRZ8/s1600/bats+&+peaches.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate with Peach and Bat Pattern, Qing Dynasty<br />
source: Asian Art Museum</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peony (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">牧丹 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <i>Mù dān</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The peony is a plant native to China and, due to
its gorgeous blossoms, is known as the “king of the flowers”. The peony is a
symbol of royalty and virtue and it is also called the “flower of wealth and honor”
(</span>富貴花<span lang="EN-US">- Fùguìhuā</span>). Designs bearing this meaning often
feature the peony in combination with magnolia flowers and Chinese crab apple branches
(which looks like a cherry).</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AOe3DOK_1KL_JgbVGve7UMi5OU8_DYoZv4aRuiAA7t2W4nGIuyTofvfpwdYdRGoMwasQL8lqFC096wuZCvvqzgTXbic8w8Rfp_FfTtUf6zLAJCNvglkFxYVHYCSKNN5gcTjI7YqkRBw/s1600/peony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AOe3DOK_1KL_JgbVGve7UMi5OU8_DYoZv4aRuiAA7t2W4nGIuyTofvfpwdYdRGoMwasQL8lqFC096wuZCvvqzgTXbic8w8Rfp_FfTtUf6zLAJCNvglkFxYVHYCSKNN5gcTjI7YqkRBw/s1600/peony.jpg" height="400" width="201" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/chinese-auspicious-symbols-and-designs.html" target="_blank">Read the introduction about Auspicious Symbols and Designs</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/auspicious-beasts-and-birds.html" target="_blank">Back to Part 1 - Auspicious Beasts and Birds.</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-3520991607058658322014-06-30T00:16:00.002-07:002014-07-07T01:45:23.605-07:00Chinese Auspicious Symbols and Designs<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You all well know that the dragon is a legendary figure of the
Chinese mythology and folklore, but do you know the symbolic meaning hidden
behind this creature? And did you know that many animals and plants hide a
symbolic meaning as well? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwBuE6gPQn-Z2Pn5G4pHr2M8fVnJivbScwXlOfanGbXbq4_FiAtqr9QtzhLmhji3rkCTUEIXsGzmzdcO6jAaDSbmvjwXKmVO3wMP2pLxHu8n4GBf8OTO5RvAL8Lpg0gSrL2gjaqjfQ8k/s1600/IMG_0146_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwBuE6gPQn-Z2Pn5G4pHr2M8fVnJivbScwXlOfanGbXbq4_FiAtqr9QtzhLmhji3rkCTUEIXsGzmzdcO6jAaDSbmvjwXKmVO3wMP2pLxHu8n4GBf8OTO5RvAL8Lpg0gSrL2gjaqjfQ8k/s1600/IMG_0146_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Smiling" dragon in the Forbidden City, Beijing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Symbolic meanings are an intrinsic part of Chinese culture and, more
than merely decorative, the symbols and motifs that appear on Chinese art and craft
works often represent hidden meanings that convey a desire for the good things
in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Since ancient times the Chinese have been attaching great
importance to auspiciousness (</span><span lang="ZH-CN">吉祥</span><i><span lang="EN-US">ji
xiang</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> in Chinese), expressing with auspicious symbols not only their
yearnings for wealth, fame, health, safety, longevity, happiness, etc., but
also their values, taste and lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The nature of their written and spoken language has contributed to
the rich vocabulary of symbolism. The large numbers of homophones in the
Chinese language means that words with different meanings can be associated
with each other due to a similarity of sound when spoken. As well as linguistic
symbolism, there are symbols which originated from ancient cosmological and
mythical beliefs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedxu6pLzmLqL-laI_4hsZU2H-Zqx6N3Fw5AYqxVb0af3lSTSdo2rR1QBXcyVh-NqNMVOqXRyq7LcTsbvB5iQCgfqoBS7IpOj8gPamfnwzzcO8HijACgWywfHF9MQmNrv3N1IXZguJfWI/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedxu6pLzmLqL-laI_4hsZU2H-Zqx6N3Fw5AYqxVb0af3lSTSdo2rR1QBXcyVh-NqNMVOqXRyq7LcTsbvB5iQCgfqoBS7IpOj8gPamfnwzzcO8HijACgWywfHF9MQmNrv3N1IXZguJfWI/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillow with lotus embroidery at the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auspicious designs symbolizing good luck first appeared during the
Shang Dynasty (16</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-11</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> century BC), were greatly
developed during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties, and reached
their peak of popularity during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911)
Dynasties.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auspicious symbols are vital to a good understanding of Chinese
culture: surrounding oneself with objects bearing auspicious symbols was, and
still is, commonly believed to increase the likelihood of wish fulfillment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such desire and aspirations are expressed in depictions of plants,
animals, human figures, and objects, alone or in combination, and there is so
many of them that it`s very easy to get lost. That`s why with this post I
decided to give you an overview of the most recurrent symbols in Chinese art
and craft works For more convenience I divided them into four categories, so if
you click on the links below the list of symbols with their explanation will
open in a different page. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Enjoy reading and
next time you go to an exhibition or travel to China take a closer look to spot
the symbols on artifacts, clothing, furniture and architecture!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/auspicious-beasts-and-birds.html" target="_blank">Part 1 - Auspicious Beasts and Birds</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-flowers-and-plants.html" target="_blank">Part 2 - Auspicious Flowers and Plants</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-immortal-figures.html" target="_blank">Part 3 - Auspicious Immortal Figures </a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/auspicious-chinese-characters-numbers.html" target="_blank">Part 4 - Auspicious Chinese Characters and Objects</a></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-1855985040964354122014-06-30T00:15:00.000-07:002014-06-30T00:16:30.877-07:00Auspicious Beasts and Birds<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decorative patterns with animals appeared in Chinese history as
early as during the Neolithic period. The patterns include not only existing
animals but also legendary beasts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Dragon (</span>龙<span lang="EN-US"> -<i> Lóng</i>)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all traditional auspicious patterns the dragon certainly ranks
first in terms of its long history and popularity. Since ancient times it has
been considered the totem of the Chinese nation, and it is the most powerful
symbol of good fortune as well as a symbol of power (it`s considered to be the
king of all animals and was symbol of the emperor). According to the legend,
the dragon is a composite animal: it has camel snout, antlers of a deer, rabbit
eyes, serpent body with fish scales and fish tail, cow ears and eagle claws. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the pattern, dragon designs can be divided into
different categories, such as Twin Dragons holding onto a pearl, Dragon in a
circle, Dragon and clouds, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tozlYnOEzoNF9nUQLLH3yhjTS5oL0_3GuuGdnFOkJLVwwnsLQiYFiMaKcO0FAF5KlN2Yuna5T0kwvhaIAvAJtVzs7lgLbOOKfBTHGnpskcgnOeV5cZUxsK5zlrY6MEmOFcqiKY6dW9s/s1600/twin+dragons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tozlYnOEzoNF9nUQLLH3yhjTS5oL0_3GuuGdnFOkJLVwwnsLQiYFiMaKcO0FAF5KlN2Yuna5T0kwvhaIAvAJtVzs7lgLbOOKfBTHGnpskcgnOeV5cZUxsK5zlrY6MEmOFcqiKY6dW9s/s1600/twin+dragons.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Dragons holding on to a pearl, Beihai Park, Beijing</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phoenix (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">凤</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">凰</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>FèngHuáng</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Phoenix is the king of birds and symbolizes good fortune and
opportunity as it appears only in times of peace and prosperity. The Phoenix
too is a composite beast, and it`s depicted as having the head of a chicken,
the chin of a swallow, the neck of a snake, the claws of an eagle, the tail of
a fish, the back of a turtle and the feathers of a peacock. Its Chinese name is
the general term of legendary bird, both male and female, with </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Fèng</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> denoting male and <i>Huáng</i>
female. The combination of Phoenix and Dragon is a common pattern, and represent
the perfect manifest of happiness and blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZqYIujyQ7mAXVsx5YTIqObRADfZw9qG6ZcL4B4Aw6TV3Vqnd4YzqDcY-BEla4eSuwcmGFW8-7dWzmNzmAs7PHyRjykA-T1XvUAMax4ru1-DcdRjkwoQXY8hfG0QFRzB2thGeapRVDbM/s1600/phoenix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZqYIujyQ7mAXVsx5YTIqObRADfZw9qG6ZcL4B4Aw6TV3Vqnd4YzqDcY-BEla4eSuwcmGFW8-7dWzmNzmAs7PHyRjykA-T1XvUAMax4ru1-DcdRjkwoQXY8hfG0QFRzB2thGeapRVDbM/s1600/phoenix.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plate with Phoenix and Dragon, Suzhou Museum</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kylin (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">麒麟</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>Qílín</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 14.05pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kylin, a mythical creature in ancient Chinese
legends, is the saddle horse of the immortals. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;">The mythical Kylin is an animal with a dragon-like head surmounted by a pair of deer’s antlers and eyes of a lion. It has the scales of a snake, hooves of a horse and the tail of a cow.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;"> It is said that it can live as
long as 2000 years, it can spit fire and its voice sounds like a thunder.
Despite this Kylin has a mild temperament and, as it is friendly towards men
it`s known as benevolent creature. In the folk culture it was believed that
Kylin could bring offspring to people. The most popular legend about the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;">Kylin</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;"> delivering a child tells the story of the birth of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Confucius</span><span style="line-height: 14.05pt;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.05pt;">A Kylin, with a
jade scroll in its mouth, appeared in the courtyard of his parents’ home. The
scroll disclosed that the baby to be born is going to be “a man of
extraordinary good moral character and talent, an exemplar of human </span><span style="line-height: 18.71875px;">excellence.</span><span style="line-height: 14.05pt;"> Although he is not on the throne, he has the virtue of a king”. On
the same night Confucius was born. From this legend originated many auspicious
patterns, of which “Kylin delivers a child” is the most popular.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyjMNwR-b2Y2keYk9Xiy5lVyG7-s1lv_fgxaQOlk2xWhemPB5PTSA1LUG_wYSmR6bjGyVqic-Cg-GyAm44ykmUonoPqYht8xZsF3BHWqDA-NiMsCDuBbaVPrsPE_UOPkS_y_oJj1hpBM/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyjMNwR-b2Y2keYk9Xiy5lVyG7-s1lv_fgxaQOlk2xWhemPB5PTSA1LUG_wYSmR6bjGyVqic-Cg-GyAm44ykmUonoPqYht8xZsF3BHWqDA-NiMsCDuBbaVPrsPE_UOPkS_y_oJj1hpBM/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold-plated Bronze Kylin in the Forbidden City, Beijing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0nGrzgCP5dpypJs02g34pgRS8uc-9LiLYA1E3sO-3WPfNYa-nMA9L16t1Tc36peUAuwJlKl37ayimcxFnpRpHv0MkPD0yz8mvIZUU7mFwPo6NXWAsh3r63ZK_NuJ0YFp6zEN7bR3lM8/s1600/kirin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0nGrzgCP5dpypJs02g34pgRS8uc-9LiLYA1E3sO-3WPfNYa-nMA9L16t1Tc36peUAuwJlKl37ayimcxFnpRpHv0MkPD0yz8mvIZUU7mFwPo6NXWAsh3r63ZK_NuJ0YFp6zEN7bR3lM8/s1600/kirin.jpg" height="400" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylin delivering a child, New Year Wood Print</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;">Lion (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;">狮子</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.05pt;"> - Shīzi)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">In traditional Chinese culture lions can expel specters
and foresee disasters. Most commonly seen lion patterns include the “Auspicious Lion
Playing with a Ball” and the “Adult Lion and Baby Lion”. The former originated
from the Lion Dance, in which two people act as a lion (one waving the lion
head and the other waving the lion body and tail) while another person holds a
silk ball to play with the lion.</span> The latter symbolizes promotion or
passing down of social status and wealth one generation after another.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLj7chyJBbpVzLqnjSPLW2KB5r1Cetz8dQPQhyphenhyphenL4R_2nrGYiq1GoskfojwMQOTVmQk9-K3E9RY1aSCU4pu7mmAYMUKAdD8OvfL6G0rqO_vaupzakGpzkwMfYn5WeL42Ve6HRoYq2ItkA/s1600/IMG_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLj7chyJBbpVzLqnjSPLW2KB5r1Cetz8dQPQhyphenhyphenL4R_2nrGYiq1GoskfojwMQOTVmQk9-K3E9RY1aSCU4pu7mmAYMUKAdD8OvfL6G0rqO_vaupzakGpzkwMfYn5WeL42Ve6HRoYq2ItkA/s1600/IMG_0139.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold-plated Bronze Lion playing with a ball in the Forbidden City, Beijing</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiger (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">虎</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <span style="background: white;"><i>Hǔ</i>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Similarly to the lion, tigers can expel specters and bring good
luck, for this reason prints with a tiger design were very commonly seen on the
front door of houses. Another common patter featuring tigers is the “Tiger
guards against the five poisonous creatures”. The five poisonous creatures
refer to scorpion, viper, centipede, house lizard and toad, and symbolize the
pests and destructive insects frequently seen in summer and autumn in ancient
China.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GKejp4fuHbRMU0JqllBWDoaToKTZkbLEM2y7sbQxhqoSdZKa5ElmdJGFMsmTp0iY4upK2JMA2PeYBLiym7QXZCWV6PG1asZrBGpYv3CBBioOJqXCDVysS3R8y3-QNhtf0ulO8jHboz0/s1600/tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GKejp4fuHbRMU0JqllBWDoaToKTZkbLEM2y7sbQxhqoSdZKa5ElmdJGFMsmTp0iY4upK2JMA2PeYBLiym7QXZCWV6PG1asZrBGpYv3CBBioOJqXCDVysS3R8y3-QNhtf0ulO8jHboz0/s1600/tiger.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year Wood Print of the Home Protecting Tiger</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fish </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">鱼</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>Yú</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The fish symbolizes wealth as yu for ‘fish’ sounds like the yu for
‘abundance and affluence’. Due to its reproductive capability the fish also signifies
marriage and the birth of many children. One of the most popular designs featuring
this symbol is the “Carp leaping over the Dragon Gate”. According to an old
tale, the legendary founder of the Xia Dynasty Da Yu to control the floods
of the Yellow River built the Dragon Gate on Mount Longmen</span>. Since then,
many carps have come to the gate every year and have tried to jump over it.
Those who successfully do so will turn into a dragon. During the Tang Dynasty,
when the imperial examination system was adopted and grew popular, people
described those who excelled in the examination as “climbing on the Dragon Gate”.
Therefore the image of the carp jumping over the Dragon Gate became an
auspicious pattern to wish students success in examinations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrb0VZl-_nKY7ti_9Ld_uAJWE6P3TO5RRDGSrkOrgRYgToRwzIeNTFzxpQ6zQF_Zb3XA9VdlkWgqJZ9t4iXAgsPciDnwAj-jaIlOXN2E1wc6U-P5edCZhzEqsFCFpLFkK4UmxfOLQQMk/s1600/carp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrb0VZl-_nKY7ti_9Ld_uAJWE6P3TO5RRDGSrkOrgRYgToRwzIeNTFzxpQ6zQF_Zb3XA9VdlkWgqJZ9t4iXAgsPciDnwAj-jaIlOXN2E1wc6U-P5edCZhzEqsFCFpLFkK4UmxfOLQQMk/s1600/carp.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper cut with <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Carp leaping over the Dragon Gate</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bat </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">蝙蝠</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>Biānfú</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The Chinese for bat sounds identical to the word for good fortune
(fu </span>福<span lang="EN-US">) making bats
a popular symbol of happiness and good fortune since ancient times. Particularly
popular is the design with five bats together, which represents the “Five Blessings”
( wufu </span>五福<span lang="EN-US">): long life,
wealth, health, love of virtue and a peaceful death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8Mi8ANPPu7ztFl6F4DIGN_VxkfJt7amHe7e5P1-IReCZXTjUWvtn1nHG4yOllp9yk0TX8wjIvRSMRBRtD1TFqBilGJvFjSCew9cqns5rltmb9DpI8xEZHfy4xVOdnOev7KZPcneyrCs/s1600/bats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8Mi8ANPPu7ztFl6F4DIGN_VxkfJt7amHe7e5P1-IReCZXTjUWvtn1nHG4yOllp9yk0TX8wjIvRSMRBRtD1TFqBilGJvFjSCew9cqns5rltmb9DpI8xEZHfy4xVOdnOev7KZPcneyrCs/s1600/bats.png" height="400" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gourd shaped vase decorated with bats, <br />picture from Asian art museum website</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crane </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">鹤</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>Hè</i>)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a life span of about fifty or sixty years the crane is a
symbol of longevity. It also represents high status as the crane is regarded as
‘a bird of the first rank’ in the imperial hierarchy. Flying cranes symbolizes
a wish or hope to become an official in a higher position.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-QTc0-cg9Ep44P7QW_0EUhibM1ikUEzsN4Jjxa0Xe8GuOB6CbiDtT9704FrSNwkJvJo2bohQUnF91Ukdq1VQggoztD519UeB5qGvTRzoyK1l33xVkhtLvrozFOX-CXys6qPUq15BQ_Q/s1600/IMG_3315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-QTc0-cg9Ep44P7QW_0EUhibM1ikUEzsN4Jjxa0Xe8GuOB6CbiDtT9704FrSNwkJvJo2bohQUnF91Ukdq1VQggoztD519UeB5qGvTRzoyK1l33xVkhtLvrozFOX-CXys6qPUq15BQ_Q/s1600/IMG_3315.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male vest with Crane embroidery, Suzhou Museum</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magpies </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">喜鹊</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - <i>Xǐquè</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Since ancient times magpies have been considered as a symbol of
good luck and fortune. According to the classic folk tale “Cowherd and Weaving
Maiden</span>”, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year, all
magpies on hearth will fly to the heaven and build a bridge over the Milky Way
so that Zhi Nu (the star Vega) and Niu Lang (the star Altair)
could meet on the bridge. The magpie bridge is therefore seen as symbol of love
and the image of magpie is often related to happy events. Chinese people also believe
that the appearance of magpies foretells the imminence of a joyful event or
good news. A popular pattern features magpies on the branches of plum trees and
implies the coming of good news or happy events.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIjn_XO67VYGHMzIQlZ-Z51l_JvhwQPKrg8BGCIJE0s0KpuJiglp9IYx66yGrZWOSSjfg2rOgHw7zvQsXaXHdV-opV9U2-MxOTSOmBNdIW7nwYCRMjeVS9JrKD_nAjHFqH3d_Uu7TK8g/s1600/magpies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIjn_XO67VYGHMzIQlZ-Z51l_JvhwQPKrg8BGCIJE0s0KpuJiglp9IYx66yGrZWOSSjfg2rOgHw7zvQsXaXHdV-opV9U2-MxOTSOmBNdIW7nwYCRMjeVS9JrKD_nAjHFqH3d_Uu7TK8g/s1600/magpies.png" height="355" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luzhou Oil Paper Umbrella with Magpies on plum tree branches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-84235409178120671442014-06-26T01:09:00.000-07:002014-06-26T01:09:51.051-07:00Introduction to Chinese paper cutting<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first visited China as a tourist
I was attracted by the bright red color of the paper cuts sold at the souvenir
stalls around Yu Garden. At first I thought it was something to put in a
frame and hang on a wall, so I was very surprised to see doors and windows of
Chinese houses adorned with them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe40ub2ZdZUZqDZsYm66C6iEaFnop_tNy0qNzT4PitFv22X7H1VgGZ9tYU3UsRqYjnX38H3Pc7L3DuakmkeHva7CkCIuZpkQ0RDwVa43mo-6gJ2sJpVISK-7M2NkQSmGBJMJph7DVNlo/s1600/souvenir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe40ub2ZdZUZqDZsYm66C6iEaFnop_tNy0qNzT4PitFv22X7H1VgGZ9tYU3UsRqYjnX38H3Pc7L3DuakmkeHva7CkCIuZpkQ0RDwVa43mo-6gJ2sJpVISK-7M2NkQSmGBJMJph7DVNlo/s1600/souvenir.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenir shop at Yu Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv6RdOc7ULuTUP7cseuclo5DrZPZU2fT8Ky6bT7361hyphenhyphen4QbcxBhBuRhdnIwcrq_b9NxgHpLQYZRvvZCnybVVltuAzIw7iXFMseNpUpSl5IjetvdWHg2XvqeB5oA1qLaArGztCHyfP0Nk/s1600/souvenir2_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv6RdOc7ULuTUP7cseuclo5DrZPZU2fT8Ky6bT7361hyphenhyphen4QbcxBhBuRhdnIwcrq_b9NxgHpLQYZRvvZCnybVVltuAzIw7iXFMseNpUpSl5IjetvdWHg2XvqeB5oA1qLaArGztCHyfP0Nk/s1600/souvenir2_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mniQsf_jzmYotqHpPx9TZkRnl3aGHdREiAlYMyNBqJfFgnPhwJZ5jiJBomgTPj3UXZFlmxzC1SWHAMGFocTDNbM4e4SkYeC0bzQmX5EsnO2y85ZxkHLtKGaNwat6SQrHLoTzag1ZjBA/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mniQsf_jzmYotqHpPx9TZkRnl3aGHdREiAlYMyNBqJfFgnPhwJZ5jiJBomgTPj3UXZFlmxzC1SWHAMGFocTDNbM4e4SkYeC0bzQmX5EsnO2y85ZxkHLtKGaNwat6SQrHLoTzag1ZjBA/s1600/photo.jpg" height="386" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paper cut I bought</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started wondering about the
paper cutting`s meaning and origin, and that`s when I came across a charming book
titled “Zhao Quan – The Paper-Cut of Yuxian County”, the first volume of the
collection “Craftsman”, which features, as the name suggests, famous craftsmen </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">representative of different Chinese folk arts</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Composed of five chapters, the book introduces the life
of the paper cutting master </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zhao Quan, the tools he uses, the process of
paper cutting</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and his works. The book is
published only in Chinese unfortunately, but it`s full of inviting pictures that
made it accessible even to me with my limited knowledge of Chinese.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pictures
below are some shots of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwLqXNKb2Pv2F0vn8hYsqDgE3KdWGUMbQlEfRrw3VihNRWJHsdQumqFExZCVs9sYOzlj4MwzbSfyksdC3UbOUyTygIdyalz9pp5Gw50hTzhitaOOQKiAbTcc1803qpBMo6KBx-hpZUOE/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwLqXNKb2Pv2F0vn8hYsqDgE3KdWGUMbQlEfRrw3VihNRWJHsdQumqFExZCVs9sYOzlj4MwzbSfyksdC3UbOUyTygIdyalz9pp5Gw50hTzhitaOOQKiAbTcc1803qpBMo6KBx-hpZUOE/s1600/photo+1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiExq2vv6_H-APEhb2YuWgYbbvtJJ1Ig9FHeBvOFg0sLwMRdEGPHo2-wUMJXKkSYzaBJ2KLdR4O9VBYrBmhpewmgxzkpTuLNdlUvu5_xgcfrEu92pIywFmTpH6aBVsFmzjoAiCITfPtA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiExq2vv6_H-APEhb2YuWgYbbvtJJ1Ig9FHeBvOFg0sLwMRdEGPHo2-wUMJXKkSYzaBJ2KLdR4O9VBYrBmhpewmgxzkpTuLNdlUvu5_xgcfrEu92pIywFmTpH6aBVsFmzjoAiCITfPtA/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before reading
this book I thought that the paper cuts come only in red, and feature only
auspicious symbols, but actually they can be very colorful and cover nearly all
topics, from flowers, birds, animals, legendary people, to figures in classic
novels.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Paper cut can be found throughout
China in various ethnic groups, therefore motifs vary greatly and depend on the
region of origin, but generally they are classified in two main genres, the
northern style and the southern style, each influenced by their geography and
local culture.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As one of the most classic folk
arts in China and integral element of everyday life, paper cut was put in 2009 on
the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It`s difficult to tell the exact
period when the art of paper-cutting originated in China. Excavations at the
ruins of the ancient city of Gaochang in Turpan, Xinjiang, unearthed paper cuts
showing a pair of horses and a pair of monkeys dating back 1500 years to the
period of the Northern and Southern dynasties. They are among the earliest
examples of cut paper to have been found. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqyNvZM88w1kExXcinz3itGWw5CkC3RCc8QHC_4zb4dU9DiotQEv1945xWB_Ujxwd3ZJr-zCmMLnl5ABtiVDQYz4auZyjpeZYj9YnZSvVYZtvIRydUjXYonrIfyrYt87zZbVktN9G4g/s1600/horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqyNvZM88w1kExXcinz3itGWw5CkC3RCc8QHC_4zb4dU9DiotQEv1945xWB_Ujxwd3ZJr-zCmMLnl5ABtiVDQYz4auZyjpeZYj9YnZSvVYZtvIRydUjXYonrIfyrYt87zZbVktN9G4g/s1600/horses.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8Sblo9imNy0KzoVbv0fnp3N-Cg05sUbxGpDrfdvQpZRM6N8ZJYI7kdwI0cvx93PQuUXluXQqGuVYTVioxxipTbTqYFAv_E2CCcWjqCnOCTEuLiVR6bGQWKc42CjLUIYcthxNJ1Ear-k/s1600/monkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8Sblo9imNy0KzoVbv0fnp3N-Cg05sUbxGpDrfdvQpZRM6N8ZJYI7kdwI0cvx93PQuUXluXQqGuVYTVioxxipTbTqYFAv_E2CCcWjqCnOCTEuLiVR6bGQWKc42CjLUIYcthxNJ1Ear-k/s1600/monkeys.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, the cultural implication
and art forms of paper cut can be traced back before the invention of the paper
to pre-historical societies, when people used different materials such as gold,
leather, silk and even leaves, to carve and engrave patterns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">But as the logic shows, paper
cutting needs paper so, strictly speaking, paper cutting origins should be
placed after </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">AD 105, the year
in which the Chinese invented papermaking (even though recent archaeological
investigations place the actual invention of papermaking some 200 years earlier).
The early paper cutting was probably associated with religious rites, and only gradually
it developed into a form of art.</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">As a cultural
carrier of the original Chinese philosophy, paper cut is embodied in all
aspects of folk custom and culture,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">and the uses to which it was put were many.</span>
The first use was mainly decorative; paper cut were pasted on windows (hence
the name Window Flowers), ceilings, doors and lanterns. Another use of
paper cuts was related to other folk crafts, as it was used as guide for
woodcarvers and embroiderers, and as stencils for transferring color to lacquer
ware. The paper cut can be also found during festivities (weddings,
birthdays and other ceremonies), or in form of prayers (invoking the rain,
warding off the devil, etc.).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nowadays Chinese
paper cuts are still used as decoration, especially during the Spring Festival
and wedding days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">There is a paper
cut design for each occasion: during the</span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="background: white;">Chinese New Year, the character “Fu” (</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">福, good fortune</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">) is pasted on the door, at
a weddings the character “Xi” (</span><span style="background-color: white;">囍</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">, double happiness) is a must</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">on the newlywed’s door, and on seniors` birthday
paper cuttings with the character “Shou” (</span><span style="background-color: white;">寿</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">, longevity) are often seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofUfc5Qc4y9Gk5n3pPy7_iNdmwb6vz3U8MppAjdrkx9sCa0ohxJfmiLQIV1x3TThkqQ7fJ18RUBzraujplLgnYywAbfON6tedisR1bDjM39N-tQWfZaCj_5jttvGeHdd606lmkEi7Ytg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofUfc5Qc4y9Gk5n3pPy7_iNdmwb6vz3U8MppAjdrkx9sCa0ohxJfmiLQIV1x3TThkqQ7fJ18RUBzraujplLgnYywAbfON6tedisR1bDjM39N-tQWfZaCj_5jttvGeHdd606lmkEi7Ytg/s1600/1.jpg" height="389" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">“Fu” (</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">福)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdTznFLdQAimWgOUQUYgKJCIyrepGjcsMGZ7sBDh8vHLR6iArIIPqU9P23oCz5QpJt2lYB4E9UEHY3ybkvXz9sjMswDvT6oXhQZZSoZdiO4FAkwBidNa4KxW_TmkXHzr0yxaA7Gw3jws/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdTznFLdQAimWgOUQUYgKJCIyrepGjcsMGZ7sBDh8vHLR6iArIIPqU9P23oCz5QpJt2lYB4E9UEHY3ybkvXz9sjMswDvT6oXhQZZSoZdiO4FAkwBidNa4KxW_TmkXHzr0yxaA7Gw3jws/s1600/2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">“Xi” (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">囍)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfQk2yUuKw_uQ_QS1L-KBl3g7-eKXPOVeeRAxSsncoA9chDgV7uIh_HNqXuZ6s87ml1uQO0_z4Yr6bKG2RO4rmHA5qtL9kKaOfDhnAyqLA02FmFoP3KctQjIUyZVOcSXlKkMjIqA1Obc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfQk2yUuKw_uQ_QS1L-KBl3g7-eKXPOVeeRAxSsncoA9chDgV7uIh_HNqXuZ6s87ml1uQO0_z4Yr6bKG2RO4rmHA5qtL9kKaOfDhnAyqLA02FmFoP3KctQjIUyZVOcSXlKkMjIqA1Obc/s1600/3.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">“Shou” (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">寿)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paper cutting is
pure handwork,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but due to the modern industrial production the
traditional sense of paper cutting is facing grave challenges and its values, handed
down from generation to generation, are changing. Nowadays unfortunately it
became more and more difficult to find authentic handmade paper cutting. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you
enjoyed this introduction to paper cuts! In a different post I will talk about the
paper cutting technique and style typical of </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yuxian
County.</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-54905331862130575772014-06-24T20:24:00.000-07:002014-06-24T20:36:27.073-07:00Shadow Magic - Chinese Shadow Puppetry<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many of you watched Kung Fu
Panda 2? The movie itself has got nothing to do with Chinese crafts, but the
intro, the flashbacks and the credits feature the unique style of
Chinese shadow puppetry. I found a video of the end credits on YouTube for
those who haven`t watched the movie.</span></span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Fqqk9PAwc_g/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Fqqk9PAwc_g&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Fqqk9PAwc_g&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">As I already mentioned in my post
</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6174591607326949302#editor/target=post;postID=2882919310681769683;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=8;src=postname" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;">China`s intangible Cultural Heritage</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">, Chinese shadow puppetry has been inscribed in 2011 on the UNESCO
list of List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday we had an interesting
chat with Xu Qi, the apprentice of Wei JinQuan, a famous puppeteer from Huaxian
(Shaanxi Province) who together with his troupe have taken Huaxian shadow
puppet shows as far as Germany, the UK and France, receiving
overwhelming praise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGmrF3qoqwLXfY5MIcQmMV_WPis6qZzo9SQpo2_T3POMvikUF4E6mriUDofI9G11wvUC5B5UikYS4ojwr3RePTnc6xCOrj9hGo0c0OaKaTENU4rvD4l0Kr6FGI0rHwk4vn6pInZtgH6M/s1600/DSC02693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGmrF3qoqwLXfY5MIcQmMV_WPis6qZzo9SQpo2_T3POMvikUF4E6mriUDofI9G11wvUC5B5UikYS4ojwr3RePTnc6xCOrj9hGo0c0OaKaTENU4rvD4l0Kr6FGI0rHwk4vn6pInZtgH6M/s1600/DSC02693.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wei JinQuan after a performance abroad</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xu Qi, who is learning to make and
manipulate the puppets at Wei JinQuan`s workshop, told us about his master
and this fascinating art.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese shadow puppetry is a form
of theater acted by colorful silhouette figures, usually made of donkey, cow or
sheep leather, accompanied by music and opera-like singing. Manipulated
by puppeteers using rods, the figures create the illusion of moving images on a
translucent cloth screen illuminated from behind. Actually, contrary to what
the name suggests, viewed through the white screen the puppets aren`t just
shadows, but their color is bright and visible through the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dA-RE-MJDzFhP6wZ2OZVSdBLsR7ta2d9mS9KLxtN7XngDYJPC71ku-cWj32BlHb6L-_juFb7-wdRftHV2-hoTgZ9kpg4ojuCoOJWJ0C1u-r0SfjSKdN8Jd1YQOYtdmrzXZ9RY4ZW_xo/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dA-RE-MJDzFhP6wZ2OZVSdBLsR7ta2d9mS9KLxtN7XngDYJPC71ku-cWj32BlHb6L-_juFb7-wdRftHV2-hoTgZ9kpg4ojuCoOJWJ0C1u-r0SfjSKdN8Jd1YQOYtdmrzXZ9RY4ZW_xo/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wei JinQuan removing the fur from some leather</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tCdtITzQwnV8eoWGnhpvVtRZahemn6PeRUb6x8m5sXU30DgK226JMD1qndGcTJmYrDrs5SyV5XFNubQ8phMSvR7l68a3FMpXvySCF0DxO1JNV3RkQ0TedPoezV101YmvwCAmsTHHbNs/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tCdtITzQwnV8eoWGnhpvVtRZahemn6PeRUb6x8m5sXU30DgK226JMD1qndGcTJmYrDrs5SyV5XFNubQ8phMSvR7l68a3FMpXvySCF0DxO1JNV3RkQ0TedPoezV101YmvwCAmsTHHbNs/s1600/DSC_0216.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carving the leather</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HyyBcbrZJgEpfKPg9ri86ZnjyGZS0WLVpo8XFThxitzA7CxzW1TES1mslR7qvnhK-ktwT1D537kvqLYSwa2comKgrlKcI6MFThEgG8ycgx9rIFzkr1sQicQOkjs-CeuKBB0xpxUai7M/s1600/DSC_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HyyBcbrZJgEpfKPg9ri86ZnjyGZS0WLVpo8XFThxitzA7CxzW1TES1mslR7qvnhK-ktwT1D537kvqLYSwa2comKgrlKcI6MFThEgG8ycgx9rIFzkr1sQicQOkjs-CeuKBB0xpxUai7M/s1600/DSC_0330.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After coloring the figures are dewatered <br />to make the colors penetrate in the leather</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Performers manipulate puppets,
while the other members of the troupe sing the story in an opera-like style,
and play accompanying music.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The puppeteer must also memorize
the songs and rhythm of more than 50 plays, some of which can last a couple of
hours, in order to coordinate the movements of the puppets with the music and
singing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A full-length play usually<z style="background-color: white;">
</z><z style="background-color: white;">involves</z> more than 60 figures, and Wei JinQuan, who is the only one in his troupe to
handle the puppets, can manipulate more than 10 puppets at a time. For the
troupe’s repertoire he regularly uses 100 puppet bodies onto which he can add around
400 heads of different characters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpHJ9hex0VHeI1o9i-Nea_eOupjWv9A0ExiNHZvvlVqTazVW0FEZf5qZ0s7-fxrMo_l2KmriP7Vcgefiyf9TIZHtUjaeadEcFdINAk1yDmzhWiHadQUfdPZj91toz1UXw0-lMbtEB044/s1600/DSC00141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpHJ9hex0VHeI1o9i-Nea_eOupjWv9A0ExiNHZvvlVqTazVW0FEZf5qZ0s7-fxrMo_l2KmriP7Vcgefiyf9TIZHtUjaeadEcFdINAk1yDmzhWiHadQUfdPZj91toz1UXw0-lMbtEB044/s1600/DSC00141.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wei JinQuan is the leader of
Huaxian’s Guang Hua Shadow Play Troupe and comes from a long line of shadow
puppet players, his grandfather and father were both part of puppet troupe
orchestras. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgk3YTP6NO5fRuh81rKACu3ebZFi8q51Y3kbvSrFfT2tHiJl7-TuFTU7OMvO7lv32bs2GdswP9hPiPJQwPcLS-_T9RyY4wUdQ_qZd-A7eacrYkNdBYyIhFz_ioNHgLQfzlqGjilXPKUE/s1600/psb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgk3YTP6NO5fRuh81rKACu3ebZFi8q51Y3kbvSrFfT2tHiJl7-TuFTU7OMvO7lv32bs2GdswP9hPiPJQwPcLS-_T9RyY4wUdQ_qZd-A7eacrYkNdBYyIhFz_ioNHgLQfzlqGjilXPKUE/s1600/psb.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The troupe behind the stage</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the Cultural Revolution, when
many puppets were destroyed and troupes dismantled, puppet troupes were very
active in Huaxian, playing almost every day and competing with each other to
perform at fairs. They used to travel from town to town to perform at weddings,
funerals and other important occasions in village life. After the Cultural
Revolution, only a few troupes remained, and today the three troupes remaining perform
very seldom, upon request only.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xu Qi told us that nowadays many
young Chinese don`t know about the art of shadow puppetry, but it seems like its
popularity is increasing in the Western Countries. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guang Hua Shadow Play Troupe was recently interviewed by BBC`s Micheal Wood, who is making a documentary about the history of China. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyS7xb-SIjEJgRLOQEVmR1pH7KUnGi20QSp2ol51WveQscVJObVjYmNxxmgo69KPpaO5xhL-qT3mEXgr1iUx0bDiolg5YWEhNfYCstAJsJXziJR6RzLYeXy8YyS6IrlP_6uvma0AKLrI/s1600/dKVk5eonFwAA%2526bo%253DVQOAAgAAAAABAPM%2521%2526rf%253D0-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyS7xb-SIjEJgRLOQEVmR1pH7KUnGi20QSp2ol51WveQscVJObVjYmNxxmgo69KPpaO5xhL-qT3mEXgr1iUx0bDiolg5YWEhNfYCstAJsJXziJR6RzLYeXy8YyS6IrlP_6uvma0AKLrI/s1600/dKVk5eonFwAA%2526bo%253DVQOAAgAAAAABAPM%2521%2526rf%253D0-21.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group picture with the BBC crew</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wei JinQuan also carves
puppets for Jean-Luc Penso, a French puppeteer, who studied with him for
several months before starting his own troupe in France.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wei JinQuan welcomes in his home anybody
willing to learn the art of shadow puppetry, and is more than happy to teach
them! If you are interested we can help you to get in touch with him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_D7jHPi5Pi7IC_9xW1B8JkFm7IfOqJtL9f2aJ1WmQzNy_guHwPkq-tpOn-TVMurgK5vcPu6cLETKFJirb7Bp7Pymc1D1lxgixSVlx5RH53u21R3vWTqfb_iGWxruP3jlOSqmtQq5l7Q/s1600/DSC_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_D7jHPi5Pi7IC_9xW1B8JkFm7IfOqJtL9f2aJ1WmQzNy_guHwPkq-tpOn-TVMurgK5vcPu6cLETKFJirb7Bp7Pymc1D1lxgixSVlx5RH53u21R3vWTqfb_iGWxruP3jlOSqmtQq5l7Q/s1600/DSC_0391.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to manipulate the puppets</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now forget about Kung Fu Panda
and watch Zhang Yimou’s touching movie “To Live” to see how the life of a family,
where the father happens to be member of a shadow puppetry troupe, was like
between the 1940`s and 1970`s.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xu Qi told us that Pan Jingle, 83 years old member of Guang Hua Shadow Play
Troupe, was the one who dubbed the shadow play scenes in the movie. One more
reason to watch this movie!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">In another post I will explain more in detail how the puppets are made and I will introduce </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Wang Tianwen, the inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">praised as " No.1 in Carving of Shadow Figure"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the pictures in this post are a courtesy of Xu Qi.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-91681037662975607572014-06-23T02:40:00.000-07:002014-07-04T17:21:41.122-07:00Trip to Suzhou - part 2 - Taohuawu New Year woodprints<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I
anticipated in the first part of the post about the trip to Suzhou, one of our destinations
was the workshop of Gu ZhiJun, a multiple award-winning artist who merges
ancient techniques with modern design.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gu ZhiJun workshop
is located in Taohuawu, literally the Peach Flower Port, a district in Suzhou
that produced many folk artists, and is one of the two best-known homes of
Chinese New Year pictures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mbG_3LHQjnyBjLTSRZKWP8onIzKLzhCQEglRAZHxWSk5fYUg4Dsgd4a2Jjaij70Pu-qlgOLqQ1wnnq6akriWdoUGAkzXZ9S3ZM8u55kKbhT8yArfDtJ8P1yyyL0Dj7pECnUMRYEu7to/s1600/IMG_3371_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mbG_3LHQjnyBjLTSRZKWP8onIzKLzhCQEglRAZHxWSk5fYUg4Dsgd4a2Jjaij70Pu-qlgOLqQ1wnnq6akriWdoUGAkzXZ9S3ZM8u55kKbhT8yArfDtJ8P1yyyL0Dj7pECnUMRYEu7to/s1600/IMG_3371_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the workshop</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DLmcGCMvU-2gEn9o8dOiU6Mr1TbiwAMYef2_Bvu0WWLJtgu8052IutqcJs3hmkSK-tnmTbdBJld2F7u_xZV3rAPCf7I4UFwQ4nv6xkIRJyPQuoh6bnZh-mvBqeKXynvBpAr3eRU3Pd4/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DLmcGCMvU-2gEn9o8dOiU6Mr1TbiwAMYef2_Bvu0WWLJtgu8052IutqcJs3hmkSK-tnmTbdBJld2F7u_xZV3rAPCf7I4UFwQ4nv6xkIRJyPQuoh6bnZh-mvBqeKXynvBpAr3eRU3Pd4/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV6nmDhyphenhyphenbZ-xO0-S5Rh62pwPN1uGYYCuBmeULqT8-HUlC45SzVnx0GnakvliDLYaV6QFyy_kKOng4exDXQrNtlBN6Z02NSSeAe2UL72_s0N84srrZ7L4vGvDTeIkWP0pROgWs6LEnsjQ/s1600/IMG_0123_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV6nmDhyphenhyphenbZ-xO0-S5Rh62pwPN1uGYYCuBmeULqT8-HUlC45SzVnx0GnakvliDLYaV6QFyy_kKOng4exDXQrNtlBN6Z02NSSeAe2UL72_s0N84srrZ7L4vGvDTeIkWP0pROgWs6LEnsjQ/s1600/IMG_0123_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taohuawu New
Year woodprints, listed as one of China's national intangible cultural
heritages in 2006, developed into a folk artistic style</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> during the Ming
Dynasty in a workshop on Suzhou's Taohuawu Street, which gave the style its
name, and reached their peak during the Qing Dynasty.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although this
fact is almost unknown (I admit it was a surprise for me as well) Taohuawu New
Year woodprints largely influenced Japanese ukiyo-e during Edo period, which then
affected Western Post-Impressionism, contributing this way to the history of
global art. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">In earlier
times almost every family hung Taohuawu New Year woodprints on the door and/or
on a wall on the first day of the New Year and left them there for the whole
year.</span> They were very popular because they reflected the hopes or wishes
of people, and were highly decorative and inexpensive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIS-opVRLYBCQE7o00aTkN8S8-eLa7gd0rteVF6lCBm0_MBjrI_dnMhyEXPUMzrb4VF5Zlw5BGuzFeEpdiZmEA-pFUq2MsKfGtJv5bMF_H1SXcmcRD9flfJyN5zyUgrNnzYEyfcj0B9Y/s1600/IMG_0134_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIS-opVRLYBCQE7o00aTkN8S8-eLa7gd0rteVF6lCBm0_MBjrI_dnMhyEXPUMzrb4VF5Zlw5BGuzFeEpdiZmEA-pFUq2MsKfGtJv5bMF_H1SXcmcRD9flfJyN5zyUgrNnzYEyfcj0B9Y/s1600/IMG_0134_%E5%89%AF%E6%9C%AC.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The designs
for the paintings are rooted in traditional Chinese realist art, and themes of
good fortune and happiness, manifested by deities and auspicious symbols, are
dominant. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties the prints were mostly created by
imagination according to legends and, later on, images from dramas, novels,
became a source of inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEEC2QQA-SncEzHfYsRKSFnKAnSKAa27o78nyKKe6_-CJOof-paFjc9ZMYfS-EAsnBdrkusqKNtRtvv8IY5tBg6ZlMBIMgfNow6_yO5JxployvRWAO3ojYN0A2OLLZmW3gNIN-sqisUg/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEEC2QQA-SncEzHfYsRKSFnKAnSKAa27o78nyKKe6_-CJOof-paFjc9ZMYfS-EAsnBdrkusqKNtRtvv8IY5tBg6ZlMBIMgfNow6_yO5JxployvRWAO3ojYN0A2OLLZmW3gNIN-sqisUg/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEEtKHyD6wZvxzyG5nr4HBO1ei017k7nezhGRZRtmCldjPC7c4Cm72uD8tONgapshdy1FWYlYIXeCoL8MjqxbbzPR5XeN9XpM-_pJVoej44j5ENNr0Om4_heDr6cDAdbnMLY4w7uE-lw/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEEtKHyD6wZvxzyG5nr4HBO1ei017k7nezhGRZRtmCldjPC7c4Cm72uD8tONgapshdy1FWYlYIXeCoL8MjqxbbzPR5XeN9XpM-_pJVoej44j5ENNr0Om4_heDr6cDAdbnMLY4w7uE-lw/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To emphasize the
celebration of the New Year the colors used in these carvings are usually
strong, such as red, lemon, emerald green, shocking pink, and cobalt blue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the New
Year wood print we bought, it represents a tiger, and the coin-like circles have
words of good fortune and happiness inscribed on them, symbolizing the hopes or
wishes for the New Year. I love the bright colors and the energy that this
print transmits! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lMsWviffa7uBGl2iBapzQqis83v8ik7vr_c1C9Ocz4F2RLDjtB1hPVzktnGrbtCxYhA1ZYC_7JO0euq95uuc0JFZPsSWy_SBYI84_AEFvnksEXPCp8MRFA4ppS3V_piIKV4mltVGvp0/s1600/IMG_3398_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lMsWviffa7uBGl2iBapzQqis83v8ik7vr_c1C9Ocz4F2RLDjtB1hPVzktnGrbtCxYhA1ZYC_7JO0euq95uuc0JFZPsSWy_SBYI84_AEFvnksEXPCp8MRFA4ppS3V_piIKV4mltVGvp0/s1600/IMG_3398_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvvumhx54dPiTfIS7RfY1q-8Ikt73tJdbE1R8_oaFt8dNf3WAe2FDCVjzlx-Lr6o4gs6cBeD5E3QFPqea3NDYOele8IOMjjrgA0qduEuwNThxJ9AzX5etmBYBgSN1_Tgk-2qhMquDRc8/s1600/IMG_3397_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvvumhx54dPiTfIS7RfY1q-8Ikt73tJdbE1R8_oaFt8dNf3WAe2FDCVjzlx-Lr6o4gs6cBeD5E3QFPqea3NDYOele8IOMjjrgA0qduEuwNThxJ9AzX5etmBYBgSN1_Tgk-2qhMquDRc8/s1600/IMG_3397_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wood
printing process is quite complicated, but I will try to explain it as best I
can.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1: The
design is drawn or painted on a special thin paper and transferred to the
woodblock. Next the paper is rubbed off, and only the design itself is left on
the block.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2: The wood is carved
with a special knife with two metallic ends for cutting and carving. The
complete design might not be carved into only one woodblock, especially for
color printing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: The
woodblock is coated with color with an ink brush and the sheet to be printed is
laid over the woodblock and rubbed with a baren. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the workshop
we had the chance to see an apprentice in the process of inking and rubbing the
wood block. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvg0FmX23SnAE3nEp2B0sjQ6Rf1YUvVh200LhXSt_WBhgcTKyuv13_ZcNaFZ8vQ-XS8wxHpPI9ETHfmxMgDMp2oQX52xhdYVtnqQjy89iDaURyjpicw4kjeYXwcAWlkZFaxCDINXeMqs/s1600/IMG_0124_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvg0FmX23SnAE3nEp2B0sjQ6Rf1YUvVh200LhXSt_WBhgcTKyuv13_ZcNaFZ8vQ-XS8wxHpPI9ETHfmxMgDMp2oQX52xhdYVtnqQjy89iDaURyjpicw4kjeYXwcAWlkZFaxCDINXeMqs/s1600/IMG_0124_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_sQN4ei9AlX_V5dQk-vSPqSYLjJXpOKsPl9jDJo4jJe9rhnBbMbgeycXFoL6Ii9XtG5Kn6VdBhKi0G0-0gjG5DSbf-oFYJVXolgl01W3lBig7_IRzmXRAXvBHDQ-zCyNWzr9hzQuOgw/s1600/IMG_0126_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_sQN4ei9AlX_V5dQk-vSPqSYLjJXpOKsPl9jDJo4jJe9rhnBbMbgeycXFoL6Ii9XtG5Kn6VdBhKi0G0-0gjG5DSbf-oFYJVXolgl01W3lBig7_IRzmXRAXvBHDQ-zCyNWzr9hzQuOgw/s1600/IMG_0126_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately Gu
ZhiJun wasn`t in the workshop when we visited, but we are planning to go back
some other time to talk with him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Anyway, his
art is very interesting. Besides producing traditional New Year paintings, he
creates prints where ancient and modern times overlap, disorienting the viewer
and raising a smile at the same time.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaMNKd_NPiKjrfX6r09bieYAaletbf50GeolKH1tjUqVe34wrxAt0ZoR17gE1lb5uIKn4Kr4xATX0B7Y9Yr5gxMeaiLteRf12CUDui6-HA-KInZG8K_vocuuq5MB_J388bWepYLXA0nA/s1600/IMG_0121_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaMNKd_NPiKjrfX6r09bieYAaletbf50GeolKH1tjUqVe34wrxAt0ZoR17gE1lb5uIKn4Kr4xATX0B7Y9Yr5gxMeaiLteRf12CUDui6-HA-KInZG8K_vocuuq5MB_J388bWepYLXA0nA/s1600/IMG_0121_%25E5%2589%25AF%25E6%259C%25AC.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/trip-to-suzhou-part-1.html" target="_blank">Back to Part 1 - Trip to Suzhou</a></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-16824926205932495732014-06-22T02:15:00.001-07:002014-06-24T17:24:36.422-07:00Chinese Folk Artists on Tour in USA and Canada<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I bumped
into a really interesting news, especially for those living in Washington or
Toronto.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">According to
an article on the Global Times from late June to mid-July, a group of 108
Chinese folk artists will tour North America as part of the Smithsonian
Folklife Festival in Washington DC in the US and the China Now Festival at the
Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada.<br>
<br>
Eight performing art programs and 16 folk handcraft art forms will be on
display at the two art festivals.<br>
<br>
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival “China: Tradition and the Art of Living” will
feature 120 participants among artists, dancers, craftspeople and cooks, who will
share and celebrate the customs and traditions from every part of China.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Festival
visitors can watch craftspeople make paper-cut designs, New Year’s prints, clay
figurines, kites and sachets that are used during annual celebrations and see
artists who specialize in embroidery, patchwork, batiks and porcelain.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more
information visit <a href="http://www.festival.si.edu/2014/China/"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.festival.si.edu/2014/China/</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Similarly, at
the China Now Festival in Toronto visiting crafts artists from various parts of
China will demonstrate crafts ranging from paper-cutting to sachet- and
kite-making to textiles and calligraphy.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information you can visit the festival`s site <a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/chinanow/"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/chinanow/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It`s a great
chance to see so many folk artists at the same time, especially considering
they come from every part of China, and even for us living here it can be hard
to reach the most remote places! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you live
nearby I`d definitely recommend you to visit the festivals, and maybe after
that share your opinions, pictures, etc. with me!</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-76803205474973129012014-06-21T20:21:00.002-07:002014-06-21T20:21:48.761-07:00The Shanghai Shikumen Open House Museum<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday after
my Chinese test (92/100!!) we were supposed to visit the sustainable market in
Xintiandi, but unfortunately it was canceled due to bad weather (for some weird
reason it always rains on Saturday…).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, since we
were already in Xintiandi we decided to take a walk among the Shikumen houses,
these old lanes are particularly charming under the rain, especially because
there aren`t many people around…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-HE6Psn98rHoInCrIGe_ssiMhw4K1FylUeFkiXa4wRR_0CmmQYkTsASmp_sTNRaVUlgHrWy1nTy6mPLWkQo9luMTCwRWuqRvyUL3gqS5iCgWL1LIl1INfGQz-mApPKBWnGikJc5aQpU/s1600/lane2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-HE6Psn98rHoInCrIGe_ssiMhw4K1FylUeFkiXa4wRR_0CmmQYkTsASmp_sTNRaVUlgHrWy1nTy6mPLWkQo9luMTCwRWuqRvyUL3gqS5iCgWL1LIl1INfGQz-mApPKBWnGikJc5aQpU/s1600/lane2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LxJQDzNodz1_ZkZfCPLUOroYKM2Waop_bGYiYfP76IvbaPV665a0rz9lJ-uFF50ACawIhRoQ9IOvDuZ44DQMfllrL4VVlEt4IHM0nF_fJnkBulPNXcEe40WVcPH349RMDEkCx_13Csg/s1600/lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LxJQDzNodz1_ZkZfCPLUOroYKM2Waop_bGYiYfP76IvbaPV665a0rz9lJ-uFF50ACawIhRoQ9IOvDuZ44DQMfllrL4VVlEt4IHM0nF_fJnkBulPNXcEe40WVcPH349RMDEkCx_13Csg/s1600/lane.jpg" height="400" width="316" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Shikumen was
one of the most representative residential form in Shanghai, which reached their
popularity peak from late 19th century to 1930`s. The most typical feature of
Shikumen buildings is the combination of Western and Chinese architectural
elements, so the general layout resembles European terrace houses, but the
inside structure is typical of the residential style in South China. Shikumen
means “stone gate”, and refers to the architectural focus of these houses: the
front door framed in carved stone. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These houses were
the birthplace of more than 70% of Shanghai's residents in those days, but
many have since been destroyed or demolished.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Nowadays Shikumen
architecture is fast disappearing, but in Xintiandi we can still find
renovated/rebuilt Shikumen houses, and one of them has been turned into a
museum which gives a glimpse into the life of an upper-middle class Chinese
family living in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Taking advantage
of the bad weather that scared off all the tourists, we decided to visit the Shikumen
Open House Museum located in a renovated Shikumen house built in the 1920s.</span>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuljMXGiMJZ1WjugXw_jUsl1Sokil5ReenZNoUqJ2lKwdqhcpW9BxvbGhCIUNN-5f6LvFDVbzM2awTUjscq9XcFMlHnDiJiQDw_qW0bJjUe-8vJFG_cqiLaHngMIVgfE2QgrAi1tLu-M/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuljMXGiMJZ1WjugXw_jUsl1Sokil5ReenZNoUqJ2lKwdqhcpW9BxvbGhCIUNN-5f6LvFDVbzM2awTUjscq9XcFMlHnDiJiQDw_qW0bJjUe-8vJFG_cqiLaHngMIVgfE2QgrAi1tLu-M/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this place
very fascinating, all the articles on display are all genuine 1920s or 1930s
memorabilia sourced in the Shikumen alleys.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I also think that part of
its charm is that each room looks as if the people living here had just stepped
out for a while (it`s a little bit ghostly though). Particularly interesting to
us were of course the handcrafted items displayed in some of the rooms. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJzNP7Uo076cNeUZu6zh4aeD-Lks88NBUdWU-SRfCTHaWfNhH9tf0XmdaKQCheVeFpAfpAfOl4vLH02KTPSdJ0ZZkX4jtiYkOEfgSpX53R6yTZi5vgKxLudyloOf3CpdnNZd3_BelbL4/s1600/IMG_3384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJzNP7Uo076cNeUZu6zh4aeD-Lks88NBUdWU-SRfCTHaWfNhH9tf0XmdaKQCheVeFpAfpAfOl4vLH02KTPSdJ0ZZkX4jtiYkOEfgSpX53R6yTZi5vgKxLudyloOf3CpdnNZd3_BelbL4/s1600/IMG_3384.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK4RLPITc5O2UPMHZYqm5TihjibPYW9FFQCQ-WPII8NQEfVYwSudz3q2krE2dFgRJUQOPTAfvcLqHsx1kY-QHCxXYQfsXj7T9vL2k3ZhB1f2AgBfs_j4jzkVBi5Y2IMKJep5ePpkv4Lw/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK4RLPITc5O2UPMHZYqm5TihjibPYW9FFQCQ-WPII8NQEfVYwSudz3q2krE2dFgRJUQOPTAfvcLqHsx1kY-QHCxXYQfsXj7T9vL2k3ZhB1f2AgBfs_j4jzkVBi5Y2IMKJep5ePpkv4Lw/s1600/IMG_3386.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH1chsiSbV7ZeGsuy-qj3CMufS5G45bJpMe7yNqr7mtr_mTbY32O7TrIIwQclLHfRsld5RHZe9qy8uDTC3M4lCwXA1ET_2uZpH0uv3Tl3CEe7ZQQFJAqYAf8ysOL6qifW7UIijF-17gk/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH1chsiSbV7ZeGsuy-qj3CMufS5G45bJpMe7yNqr7mtr_mTbY32O7TrIIwQclLHfRsld5RHZe9qy8uDTC3M4lCwXA1ET_2uZpH0uv3Tl3CEe7ZQQFJAqYAf8ysOL6qifW7UIijF-17gk/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elderly room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsclS3O4C821RoZ1d_DwgtqjN4_QbBGfiQM9BSnSTnPCC7KOxc1dLzTD_l6Vqd-RiAAZHL8FpJIYouP3hZSZDs_2LWK1QyBiVdS7c7XC2THtP3sB3nRdMHrMKsL9lzG1K7PD0ugXxJvw/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsclS3O4C821RoZ1d_DwgtqjN4_QbBGfiQM9BSnSTnPCC7KOxc1dLzTD_l6Vqd-RiAAZHL8FpJIYouP3hZSZDs_2LWK1QyBiVdS7c7XC2THtP3sB3nRdMHrMKsL9lzG1K7PD0ugXxJvw/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The master`s bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGh108xEyIqrp5qra_kQQSPM2vjBp8NmMcfNBsiWdrjLod0ChuiqkTWC1oqS9aeWwt-bTHu0a6vNNhyEAMqO-O8pfm2apZKa8hzHULZrC8PBdVtsHw3zBoP1YqreRS5tRBGImMztb81A/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGh108xEyIqrp5qra_kQQSPM2vjBp8NmMcfNBsiWdrjLod0ChuiqkTWC1oqS9aeWwt-bTHu0a6vNNhyEAMqO-O8pfm2apZKa8hzHULZrC8PBdVtsHw3zBoP1YqreRS5tRBGImMztb81A/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toys in the kid`s room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ9TdsT6qXChi6LgVzWjhv2RGWXtou48-ahX_KTdg6C2c5hyphenhypheng5ccicKcY3X80JPcnB0EGQEqtxcI7mvJorOHC_ew-vH3B1k_4cdcG2y5qY-Mz9jI9BYn1R3mSC-IzhL7U5XEe5k4BLKs/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ9TdsT6qXChi6LgVzWjhv2RGWXtou48-ahX_KTdg6C2c5hyphenhypheng5ccicKcY3X80JPcnB0EGQEqtxcI7mvJorOHC_ew-vH3B1k_4cdcG2y5qY-Mz9jI9BYn1R3mSC-IzhL7U5XEe5k4BLKs/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn`t a literate`s ghost, <br />only my husband hanging in the Tingzijian room </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the second
floor there is also a section with historical information about the family life
of that time and an exhibition about the concepts of the Xintiandi renovation project
and development process.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are in the
city and have some time to kill take a look around and enjoy the old Paris of
the East atmosphere.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-418628307650935962014-06-18T23:56:00.001-07:002014-07-04T17:20:37.280-07:00Trip to Suzhou - Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally the
long awaited post about the trip to Suzhou!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I
neglected this blog lately, but on Saturday I have my first Chinese language
test, and since I`m having an hard time memorizing pinyin (I get confused with
Japanese), I decided to concentrate on my study. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, finally, today
I found some time to complete the report about the trip to Suzhou, so here it
is!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suzhou is an
ancient city with a 2,500 years' history, and its many crafts are enlisted in
China`s intangible cultural heritage, which makes it a great destination for arts
and crafts enthusiasts like us. During our trip we had the chance to visit many
workshops, and even to look at the making of some items!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I will talk about Pingjiang District, </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one of
the places I enjoyed the most, it`s very quiet and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the city`s historical feature have been
well-preserved</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suzhou is mainly
famous for its gardens, placed on the UNESCO list as a World Cultural Heritage
site in 1997. There were originally over a hundred but now only a few exist,
some over a thousand years old. We visited the Humble Administrator's Garden,
regarded as one of the four most famous gardens in <span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">China</span> and
a masterpiece in Chinese classic gardening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some
pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJEvH5YZ0gwlEjtd0A_RQjif18iEB-rrMHTRP-ZbQ3gaZ1-nCa-bZo7KG1bz6aBjS6gCLHLlx_4LpLpZGkPM-fYkaLJs1lGfV4gP0L7gc_QP-22v6gCkupXdj7zQGx8oRH8uwm7Ob7Hs/s1600/name.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJEvH5YZ0gwlEjtd0A_RQjif18iEB-rrMHTRP-ZbQ3gaZ1-nCa-bZo7KG1bz6aBjS6gCLHLlx_4LpLpZGkPM-fYkaLJs1lGfV4gP0L7gc_QP-22v6gCkupXdj7zQGx8oRH8uwm7Ob7Hs/s1600/name.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCuhvzlyEGp0tZM91vlTXd1JWOHj_uCccavBdjQbxmJGsyPVkt5_Xk5DnAlTOAwiqBR7zQn6vY-_uTDlvgGwbBxp55Ajjm0fpWhofMSVhiTn7ApaOhomS8TZRdLP4dG5GlxrCK5_yd7o/s1600/garden-suzhou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCuhvzlyEGp0tZM91vlTXd1JWOHj_uCccavBdjQbxmJGsyPVkt5_Xk5DnAlTOAwiqBR7zQn6vY-_uTDlvgGwbBxp55Ajjm0fpWhofMSVhiTn7ApaOhomS8TZRdLP4dG5GlxrCK5_yd7o/s1600/garden-suzhou.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsuj25hWZneL8GIbGNW6Gr3HNNxRvhPgEDYD7kUEBD8I5zuS9egIoNKSd1DitICFuj6TY2_RSzLgcrER93XAD1GzUbMbGXEFLpDflxyV9lUqnq5gYPHe8OQaPbHk_tcbOJej3Ly9YtBw/s1600/humbleadministrator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsuj25hWZneL8GIbGNW6Gr3HNNxRvhPgEDYD7kUEBD8I5zuS9egIoNKSd1DitICFuj6TY2_RSzLgcrER93XAD1GzUbMbGXEFLpDflxyV9lUqnq5gYPHe8OQaPbHk_tcbOJej3Ly9YtBw/s1600/humbleadministrator.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Close to the Humble
Administrator's Garden you can find Suzhou Museum, which houses, among others,
historic works of arts and crafts from Suzhou and its surrounding areas. I
particularly liked the stunningly beautiful bamboo carvings and embroidery
collections, each piece take not only a great deal of skill and precision but
also plenty of patience</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTuE3wP6KPoC6xMJEe-POZHNmc_4JGKeCxwVSf0v1oOLOP9dzO216LWouuP8twjuZe-2iSO0ttcNm-AIKE3vPYaGcR5WH_U6h8o5Xk7cCIb1i7_XoUHFQyNekxawW1bg9H1mRjteyGMU/s1600/8+immortals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTuE3wP6KPoC6xMJEe-POZHNmc_4JGKeCxwVSf0v1oOLOP9dzO216LWouuP8twjuZe-2iSO0ttcNm-AIKE3vPYaGcR5WH_U6h8o5Xk7cCIb1i7_XoUHFQyNekxawW1bg9H1mRjteyGMU/s1600/8+immortals.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivory carving of the eight immortals</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KuvUtVtFZZeifP8ApSwb4QaJ8awcD6OMbQZyJrUjfWXazR_fu8x1KSB6tILdShBAH4RhCn-2_V_5F7Cl5iIEOmVIA2FEwXVYo9PyfSd9zFSnLspogqpU-azRrB3_pz55zfB3rf8L9d8/s1600/ivory+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KuvUtVtFZZeifP8ApSwb4QaJ8awcD6OMbQZyJrUjfWXazR_fu8x1KSB6tILdShBAH4RhCn-2_V_5F7Cl5iIEOmVIA2FEwXVYo9PyfSd9zFSnLspogqpU-azRrB3_pz55zfB3rf8L9d8/s1600/ivory+boat.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivory carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4rK-VPYGM9W_spVtSspjHDkKgSz4o1ttHXc7vLiNElgK-32K2x0DP2A6Kr_1HcfNUWdyvSl5HAjb5ZQJnVwvKHtqCfoPp18ezG_WEmWG6La2TLzVANGg3B89QztLRJs2ORsQ3gDPhnE/s1600/u131768953_131d4d07235g213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4rK-VPYGM9W_spVtSspjHDkKgSz4o1ttHXc7vLiNElgK-32K2x0DP2A6Kr_1HcfNUWdyvSl5HAjb5ZQJnVwvKHtqCfoPp18ezG_WEmWG6La2TLzVANGg3B89QztLRJs2ORsQ3gDPhnE/s1600/u131768953_131d4d07235g213.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amber carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bamboo, ivory,
jade and even fruit shells were used for both utilitarian items, such as seals,
and decorative ornaments. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwEMeC2Rf3EP5ZOsvLxQ6uYukAwxTWPWNuJuZ37b8VeQvlNOGYSNBW0GyT7mge7VesKvx_H7TcAOeHfizDE340dipb5YWCabYtXWQ196HBmxjowMToneKj2S5vpmMlUzyEO_hpfM-Mnk/s1600/IMG_3311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwEMeC2Rf3EP5ZOsvLxQ6uYukAwxTWPWNuJuZ37b8VeQvlNOGYSNBW0GyT7mge7VesKvx_H7TcAOeHfizDE340dipb5YWCabYtXWQ196HBmxjowMToneKj2S5vpmMlUzyEO_hpfM-Mnk/s1600/IMG_3311.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facial cleansing pads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamEwb2wqbzl52BWBdGSZ8mizS1brpujaA1oMv8CJNdWN9l6HNnSiH8L__rqMNmuJLnGb6opxKJaerAX8-vrYYtelgPQDT7gWkOuu3-CLlD5FhO9sasfwcbEC0GZRUx_yTQdJyU8iOC2s/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamEwb2wqbzl52BWBdGSZ8mizS1brpujaA1oMv8CJNdWN9l6HNnSiH8L__rqMNmuJLnGb6opxKJaerAX8-vrYYtelgPQDT7gWkOuu3-CLlD5FhO9sasfwcbEC0GZRUx_yTQdJyU8iOC2s/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child`s vest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLOQGHRtbnizWIRcQKXTCdGH9T8X4zoPi8bJQvPahJMrGDCPT5mWT0ne8P4MnZta0Fu8pV2R0jsJ5LbQYQL4dyMsk8CDe-B74IFLGePgZrzuXMB-b_dQMLV386INt_6KFaZCzPpkq5G0/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLOQGHRtbnizWIRcQKXTCdGH9T8X4zoPi8bJQvPahJMrGDCPT5mWT0ne8P4MnZta0Fu8pV2R0jsJ5LbQYQL4dyMsk8CDe-B74IFLGePgZrzuXMB-b_dQMLV386INt_6KFaZCzPpkq5G0/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyeglass case</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS_lwEMngt-NGmTA05zLmLFMWONdpauBEORodATKgKQH1umPZA6PhDGcGpDhQSUiahSgK85QaS4aH_-uLPmY3Ch1hnc95L4NUucdUvFeHSsG_YKxkNMcAdDSNO-waZuX1e4A6Xbxx688/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmS_lwEMngt-NGmTA05zLmLFMWONdpauBEORodATKgKQH1umPZA6PhDGcGpDhQSUiahSgK85QaS4aH_-uLPmY3Ch1hnc95L4NUucdUvFeHSsG_YKxkNMcAdDSNO-waZuX1e4A6Xbxx688/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-sided embroidery (modern)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you`re
not interested in art it`s worth just to walk in the museum to take a look at
the building itself. The museum`s beautiful architecture is designed by the
internationally renowned architect I. M. Pei (best known for the glass Pyramid
at the Louvre in Paris</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), and integrates the local style of the
traditional courtyard and garden architecture with a modern geometrical style.
The building has white walls and grey tiles and, as you can see from the
pictures, it has a Chinese garden with bamboo trees and lotus pond and also a
rock landscape.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx52FhPw18SV4_aILzIbxOO6Ohr-Q1bSHcrqxGJLe3b2HeFAAEj0ojotBDpwJxwUp3_SLqrc2DC7L1VqcU3vG4RltRKAasqbIjG4fVetIyprAfJ6kh5650cEyxNxRXhVRGrWQ_M8FAboI/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx52FhPw18SV4_aILzIbxOO6Ohr-Q1bSHcrqxGJLe3b2HeFAAEj0ojotBDpwJxwUp3_SLqrc2DC7L1VqcU3vG4RltRKAasqbIjG4fVetIyprAfJ6kh5650cEyxNxRXhVRGrWQ_M8FAboI/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp5EP66X17MXbzYFrs2_tc8MU4V1-OOkToaXY8fCvn_bFNLKBh3-iTyQNOJof3EcoROLpMmMSI1G2wcRbiDLiX7jOWmZzoZRTgExYVAIgHBCRRWZcI1kf8qqPX06vsJYqylYaR31Bluc/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp5EP66X17MXbzYFrs2_tc8MU4V1-OOkToaXY8fCvn_bFNLKBh3-iTyQNOJof3EcoROLpMmMSI1G2wcRbiDLiX7jOWmZzoZRTgExYVAIgHBCRRWZcI1kf8qqPX06vsJYqylYaR31Bluc/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboo trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCrkY3NjtNmbEXNI7Qb8eL5VorOryOD_prY_GU4RHjvsG0f3p9CqljM_kbpLDMmWRNAIrINPDQ9S-Y-gEcY6N5tJdPV1nSECBQo7eBz89AjrT5gMrBjxhDQauLXhHTXMdas0wCpa1MOc/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCrkY3NjtNmbEXNI7Qb8eL5VorOryOD_prY_GU4RHjvsG0f3p9CqljM_kbpLDMmWRNAIrINPDQ9S-Y-gEcY6N5tJdPV1nSECBQo7eBz89AjrT5gMrBjxhDQauLXhHTXMdas0wCpa1MOc/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pavilion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbwT5mD3F4eBKhNlcBLjIcGzNz40GAB6jmiuDH4L_kUXoy-1TFN2jO_H_sDo1OONZGZl5r_TozwaXChUjJQ8PUw6NPbqR88JnJ866lYU6PBHN971sXoI1wPrbVmoOd3CC61Sxh7XyRQs/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbwT5mD3F4eBKhNlcBLjIcGzNz40GAB6jmiuDH4L_kUXoy-1TFN2jO_H_sDo1OONZGZl5r_TozwaXChUjJQ8PUw6NPbqR88JnJ866lYU6PBHN971sXoI1wPrbVmoOd3CC61Sxh7XyRQs/s1600/IMG_3321.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A short walk
from the museum street lays Pingjiang Street, found on Suzhou maps as far back
as the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It runs for about 1.5 kilometers along Pingjiang
river on one side and a collection of antique homes with white walls and black
roofs</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> on the other, and abounds with authentic Suzhou handicraft. You
can really feel the history when you hit this lovely cobblestone lane!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIUcY6PbfmW_zQhn27jhiwVL0h3N-JKWHyAz6Spasod3NCwBR0VuiAwtqDbf1LGYj94Y72SSGda1rRKtHZ2XcOMiPxOrKacxPIMymYNyjfYoSTkU_75r9D1aoFK_jzxDjK6e6QzgxLdM/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIUcY6PbfmW_zQhn27jhiwVL0h3N-JKWHyAz6Spasod3NCwBR0VuiAwtqDbf1LGYj94Y72SSGda1rRKtHZ2XcOMiPxOrKacxPIMymYNyjfYoSTkU_75r9D1aoFK_jzxDjK6e6QzgxLdM/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD33QlF56gQgGino7-Xf9Ss29FEmrHQL4WZCK__lPewyPgKPN0H8CjreCtV7LPSLIxWi7Gu1c2DSU17iWMhQHHuC8COtl8iF9Jw1XSbUmQ3BDjbOG4evkLtrt8-N_jDmWdQbp23XH4nOs/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD33QlF56gQgGino7-Xf9Ss29FEmrHQL4WZCK__lPewyPgKPN0H8CjreCtV7LPSLIxWi7Gu1c2DSU17iWMhQHHuC8COtl8iF9Jw1XSbUmQ3BDjbOG4evkLtrt8-N_jDmWdQbp23XH4nOs/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNhM9pvfDARSPRDChKf5a-QOXQ0K_50kJyZzoJr0EAjFelTPFOqDlisvDzp0dKWjV5eygm5MdHisuzI_DByICiLVMus2Az-g9S-oIgROtu4fjiilrV33GbVS_CKXVIvwEDyiNWBV6mM/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNhM9pvfDARSPRDChKf5a-QOXQ0K_50kJyZzoJr0EAjFelTPFOqDlisvDzp0dKWjV5eygm5MdHisuzI_DByICiLVMus2Az-g9S-oIgROtu4fjiilrV33GbVS_CKXVIvwEDyiNWBV6mM/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfdNgGpPTSxreOdBYXqWhZ5f8RmQhtctV-WR13r5OSGXE3OItGX5NjQFNIc4-8ZK4wLVvXXG74AlXDVreGibYYHlamG2HeE2CaSqAzhPJ04eEan12Own9OAUAKWcZ1SABWZz-Wdk-HzQ/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfdNgGpPTSxreOdBYXqWhZ5f8RmQhtctV-WR13r5OSGXE3OItGX5NjQFNIc4-8ZK4wLVvXXG74AlXDVreGibYYHlamG2HeE2CaSqAzhPJ04eEan12Own9OAUAKWcZ1SABWZz-Wdk-HzQ/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeo3Ws3msOCRGRkWZ-ysRNw_kytDZbA6UEGYma3RVUTWaT1_JgwQmu90-ZPriZHqEjRduIvtYzA0UovGKe2ZdKK6eoLt-ECe_tDGB7fc1VqefTwhqu27dYYW3PMXQFQOTl_BEVW6qhNN8/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeo3Ws3msOCRGRkWZ-ysRNw_kytDZbA6UEGYma3RVUTWaT1_JgwQmu90-ZPriZHqEjRduIvtYzA0UovGKe2ZdKK6eoLt-ECe_tDGB7fc1VqefTwhqu27dYYW3PMXQFQOTl_BEVW6qhNN8/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiC_9HOXMjbqxtPyqgXuXOQ2jZ04oB3XUnvGuY3muQ-K7vOaio1-ftSn6AIwvtr6dUDAlorsAyOEoj2RnXobpJ_NQH2ucAsIVcOuPRlwhoEKC2atUpu0Z3l_g0WMACFD4nVUcWUNtLkk/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiC_9HOXMjbqxtPyqgXuXOQ2jZ04oB3XUnvGuY3muQ-K7vOaio1-ftSn6AIwvtr6dUDAlorsAyOEoj2RnXobpJ_NQH2ucAsIVcOuPRlwhoEKC2atUpu0Z3l_g0WMACFD4nVUcWUNtLkk/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we found
a Kesi workshop, which is a unique Chinese traditional silk weaving technique, resembling
carved artwork (Kesi means “cut silk”). It`s said that in ancient China an
inch of Kesi was worth the same as an ounce of gold (and I can assure you that
it`s still quite pricey). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kesi is an integration
of the skills of silk weaving and painting, and involves meticulous craftsmanship
and time-consuming labor to weave the colored silk. The technique itself is
very complicated, but I might try to explain it in a future post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some
picture of the superbly elegant items sold at the workshop and a picture
of the craftswoman at work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9ZA5KVdE_SgO9XYfjHO76UlEN_pPeOTPgPPa2CAxLssg-dqxci1npis_t-_VT_FZhMz9VbGEZmTMhtoSboSxot7gDK96YsQMbI5RUmKvdp5P77YbkVV9BnuqcWJqzoQUy4VJxq0bzcU/s1600/IMG_3362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9ZA5KVdE_SgO9XYfjHO76UlEN_pPeOTPgPPa2CAxLssg-dqxci1npis_t-_VT_FZhMz9VbGEZmTMhtoSboSxot7gDK96YsQMbI5RUmKvdp5P77YbkVV9BnuqcWJqzoQUy4VJxq0bzcU/s1600/IMG_3362.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUYZst-dAVOKUR0XzcMipwNt-Z_LmJgEqi3_KWQMSFAuggFS5a3-kcmZ0KS1m5w-gXnzs0rPbGVCGbHmQ2Bacm0mU8_MzcmZnRlIyl9qeD-m2cq-T3yDkafb0epBilnJtunzZVezoXFI/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUYZst-dAVOKUR0XzcMipwNt-Z_LmJgEqi3_KWQMSFAuggFS5a3-kcmZ0KS1m5w-gXnzs0rPbGVCGbHmQ2Bacm0mU8_MzcmZnRlIyl9qeD-m2cq-T3yDkafb0epBilnJtunzZVezoXFI/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIsuIzMAiO35FJ3Kgx__SZ4pBw6JdbW1tlJ9RmvciB0du5342P_sZqDcX1YgM2h_06QifQMa8kULDGkWjNQKDgpxwepZ0cuBFNQD93U4WHqvx1UZzbsrPMdhWBKtgr-yZKmFjOwqbQyo/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIsuIzMAiO35FJ3Kgx__SZ4pBw6JdbW1tlJ9RmvciB0du5342P_sZqDcX1YgM2h_06QifQMa8kULDGkWjNQKDgpxwepZ0cuBFNQD93U4WHqvx1UZzbsrPMdhWBKtgr-yZKmFjOwqbQyo/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many other places we visited, but this post is
getting too long, I call it quits for today!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In part 2 I
will talk about Taohuawu New Year woodprints, we visited the workshop of Gu
ZhiJun, a multiple award-winning artist who merges ancient techniques with
modern design.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I have to
get back to studying mode!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Wish me good luck!</span><span style="background-color: white;">再</span><span style="background-color: white;">见</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/2014/06/trip-to-suzhou-part-2-taohuawu-new-year.html" target="_blank">Go to Part 2 - Taohuahu New Year Woodprints</a></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-56011054378613672882014-06-15T18:35:00.000-07:002014-06-15T21:03:19.599-07:00Oil paper umbrellas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When was the last time you saw a paper umbrella (except the one in your cocktail on Saturday night)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I used to associate bright red oil paper umbrellas with China, but
since I moved to Shanghai I still hadn`t seen any. Then, during a recent trip
to Suzhou (that will be featured in my next post), I finally spotted some. But
that wasn`t what I was looking for unfortunately, it was just a cheap souvenir
for tourists, like those you can find online or in every China town around the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To find the best oil paper umbrellas we have to travel all the way
to Luzhou, a city in Sichuan Province (the one famous for spicy food and
pandas). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The origins of oil paper umbrella are still a mystery, they might
be dating back to more than one thousand years to the Tang Dynasty, but there is no
doubt about the fact they have been invented in South China, where, because of
the wet weather, they were a necessity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The history of Luzhou’s oil paper umbrella can be traced back more
than 400 years to the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and up to the 1970`s two
third of the oil paper umbrellas sold in China used to be manufactured here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luzhou’s oil paper umbrellas enjoy an excellent reputation, not
only because people believed that they protect against bad luck, but also
because they are beautifully crafted and very resistant. Yes, you can walk
under the rain holding an oil paper umbrella and you won`t neither get wet, nor
struck by lightning, since no metal is being used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Luzhou’s oil paper umbrellas are made of 100% natural materials,
mainly different kind of bamboos and bark paper sourced locally, making it an environmentally
sustainable craft. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBDS-sbgz4Hnjx2_uVEjSQFxHMPRlunehwQCmoyKh43qaFU0qhqzv53fk6Z0nhWOtOVLT-wgiAClridJWYLp5vLEQDtIhZFGuKUYGDjB2zP9X28sYWqdQ8vgpqwKH_fy72Rgdv4R1r-k/s1600/red+umbrellas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBDS-sbgz4Hnjx2_uVEjSQFxHMPRlunehwQCmoyKh43qaFU0qhqzv53fk6Z0nhWOtOVLT-wgiAClridJWYLp5vLEQDtIhZFGuKUYGDjB2zP9X28sYWqdQ8vgpqwKH_fy72Rgdv4R1r-k/s1600/red+umbrellas.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luzhou`s Red oil paper umbrellas with the Intangible Cultural Heritage logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The craft work of making paper umbrella is nearly a full manual
process, the only tools used are simple self-produced tools, and it`s quite
interesting to watch. More than hundred steps are involved in making these
umbrellas, which include splitting bamboos, drilling, threading, paper cutting,
gluing, sun drying, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlW6632W6oSm9YATqN6dkLHz43NZZEh56vT5pXOYJCTjmh7bt6eelFanVA0LWbGj_VavZ-iiOI7Yk4Qfp1Y0utyaWtZN1lqjV7xuM2dbkHni0kh9SGqFo3k5ty6HIEsvuONpbfV7KuYI/s1600/stitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlW6632W6oSm9YATqN6dkLHz43NZZEh56vT5pXOYJCTjmh7bt6eelFanVA0LWbGj_VavZ-iiOI7Yk4Qfp1Y0utyaWtZN1lqjV7xuM2dbkHni0kh9SGqFo3k5ty6HIEsvuONpbfV7KuYI/s1600/stitching.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During this process up to 2000 stitches can be made </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaVVIxrNN_3jTWVH_D-WpTHDjdyM2TgHJXbVTexJes7C7J4aPrYjz02XQc5uLzB6vi4tUPor9vd-jyrU3_HVT5R4dEdwlreo9B3cPuUa_XIPoBiYhf3HBeyJwfQuVFw0w0Hg9AFCYWbw/s1600/drying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaVVIxrNN_3jTWVH_D-WpTHDjdyM2TgHJXbVTexJes7C7J4aPrYjz02XQc5uLzB6vi4tUPor9vd-jyrU3_HVT5R4dEdwlreo9B3cPuUa_XIPoBiYhf3HBeyJwfQuVFw0w0Hg9AFCYWbw/s1600/drying.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil paper umbrellas drying outside a workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Since the process is so lengthy and complex, I won`t describe it
this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Instead, I found this</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=0ZL7o0YBAAA.0HfEdF7uUnJcTsWKsfFGdw.QWMbqG-RFWFNopKY6ZbOhw&postId=1556462404578352772&type=PAGE" target="_blank">CCTV`s video</a> (in English) </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">you can enjoy. It`s
a little bit slow, so don`t expect an action movie, but you will be amazed by
the manual skills of the manufacturers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Until the mid-19th century, when the lithographic printing
technology allowed introducing diverse colors to the umbrellas, Luzhou’s oil
paper umbrellas came only in red, which in China is a symbol of wealth and good
omen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nowadays we can find umbrellas hand-painted with images inspired
by Chinese folklore, such as “auspicious dragon and phoenix” (seen in the video),
“peacock spreading feathers” and “fairy splashing flowers.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBX9LGYQCeD8l8-6wpmrTtGLzQipzDRyhOU5oFztZAsc3HQlTYn0d6g9VWYgPI8EO4_GUxR70oDAWyfNi2ZJb38VkyPIPWNA5qJoOyI9MtGZS0NjhwAW0-fSkphbNqwIehw_bwc9nooj8/s1600/market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBX9LGYQCeD8l8-6wpmrTtGLzQipzDRyhOU5oFztZAsc3HQlTYn0d6g9VWYgPI8EO4_GUxR70oDAWyfNi2ZJb38VkyPIPWNA5qJoOyI9MtGZS0NjhwAW0-fSkphbNqwIehw_bwc9nooj8/s1600/market.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil paper umbrellas displayed in a workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We can certainly say that Luzhou’s oil paper umbrellas combine
gracefully both practical function and artistic appeal thanks to a successful
union between traditional crafts and creative innovation, making them valuable
collectible items.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you live in Shanghai, next time it rains keep your eyes peeled,
you might spot me walking around holding an oil paper umbrella!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-52447282884184001312014-06-13T02:02:00.000-07:002014-06-15T21:03:05.231-07:00Bai Tie-Dyeing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might start
thinking I`m obsessed with textile dyeing techniques…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is I`m
not obsessed, but it`s really hot in Shanghai lately and the blue and white
colors of this kind of crafts give me a fresh and cool feeling like when sitting
by the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now let`s
get back to the Bai tie-dyeing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The Bai (which
means “white” in Chinese) are a minority ethnic group living mostly in
southwest China's Yunnan Province, more specifically in the Bai Autonomous
Prefecture</span>, where the textile tie-dyeing technique is passed on from
generation to generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bai Tie dyeing industry in Zhoucheng village is 200 hundred years old, and so
famous that in China the place is known as the “National Tie-dyeing hometown”.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The concept
behind tie-dyeing is basically to prevent some areas of the cloth from
absorbing the dye, which is achieved through tying parts of the fabric</span> using
knots, threads, etc. The color of the parts reached by the dye reaches changes,
but the restricted parts stay untouched, creating an unlimited variety of
patterns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tie-dyeing process
consists of the three parts of tying, dyeing and rinsing before hanging the
fabric out to dry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The fabric,
usually a white cotton cloth</span>, is tied, twisted, folded and sewn into
various patterns by hand, and it could take several days to prepare the
required pattern. Multicolored pieces need to be tied and dyed twice, imagine
how complicated the procedure can be!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOoi4MXVKOF0ih-TLUW0VHaZwMXuO4Zpw64QnOphrO3gT3_NVpBuaUmdNSCI77lu9zW3xw7g6SLrsg6DpBGJRmpaBX0LRiP4z4ohYL5KIyNmVBBFo-kT6U62QXjoc4Tj4P6TrbH2jbwM/s1600/tying+process+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOoi4MXVKOF0ih-TLUW0VHaZwMXuO4Zpw64QnOphrO3gT3_NVpBuaUmdNSCI77lu9zW3xw7g6SLrsg6DpBGJRmpaBX0LRiP4z4ohYL5KIyNmVBBFo-kT6U62QXjoc4Tj4P6TrbH2jbwM/s1600/tying+process+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf2L570st4MQCVEH0m0VGICdYVoNdrDidS9yCdR1Wdz3txb795FdaQW572GGQx6v4m6hT5_iqHw1SGTOWCx531XsF88iCrLJ3VJRPOxurtoQx1dX93FuKStPX41xKM8nF5J1g_-rDZkw/s1600/tying+process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf2L570st4MQCVEH0m0VGICdYVoNdrDidS9yCdR1Wdz3txb795FdaQW572GGQx6v4m6hT5_iqHw1SGTOWCx531XsF88iCrLJ3VJRPOxurtoQx1dX93FuKStPX41xKM8nF5J1g_-rDZkw/s1600/tying+process.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tying process</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tied white
cloth is soaked into the dye pot and taken out for dry; the procedure is
repeated twice a day and continued for seven days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The dye is made
of woad leaves, which are fermented in a pit until they are indigo in color. In
Chinese traditional medicine is believed that this plant has anti-inflammatory
and detoxing effects, beneficial to health. Its qualities would also make Bai
tie-dyed garments and bedding comfortable to wear and soothing to the skin, especially
in hot weather.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXfroFhtxtmQYkZGkdRuzsdxOI6mKTN7JOKpTo8IwnkWZJIMJ2VDoMkiPW0D-mnCn9m6T-vfjTBBVYJ1zO6X7-Z5oNM0tszlSMSwLde4rVIOGSCGaa999Rm1U5miQ-v5cI9A4_aIkFM8/s1600/dyeing+process.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXfroFhtxtmQYkZGkdRuzsdxOI6mKTN7JOKpTo8IwnkWZJIMJ2VDoMkiPW0D-mnCn9m6T-vfjTBBVYJ1zO6X7-Z5oNM0tszlSMSwLde4rVIOGSCGaa999Rm1U5miQ-v5cI9A4_aIkFM8/s1600/dyeing+process.jpeg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The stitches are
then carefully removed one by one, the cloth is rinsed and hung out to dry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKAt2py5SniY-pkN_-x253PHN0XcheBb84vQJzCh1-yhJxqAlW1HugJCwqlAjdy8U4vLgx-X3TyAZhFHTryMo1fn6lVOs-dHBgqc_qJHUkLIjd5r3JOjbxaESjLFP1ofVgy2ONutFjU/s1600/tied+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKAt2py5SniY-pkN_-x253PHN0XcheBb84vQJzCh1-yhJxqAlW1HugJCwqlAjdy8U4vLgx-X3TyAZhFHTryMo1fn6lVOs-dHBgqc_qJHUkLIjd5r3JOjbxaESjLFP1ofVgy2ONutFjU/s1600/tied+fabric.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before removing the stitches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more than 1,000 tie-dye design patterns reflect Bai
history, culture and customs, and include flowers, plants, bees, butterflies,
fish, folk characters and symbols, most of which are wishes for auspiciousness
and good luck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc2MiU0RtMq4uUMkInGj3M_b0ysTArqgBH8y58ogk9pWJ7kEHlZAAsycI009VZXLeXMNdM6wbyCSW7OPRERUGS42HdscPonrRFgvIkAmz6poxK49GfNdzkFgbYb_ptU56DKWOmWjT_kE/s1600/tied+fabric+-+%25E3%2582%25B3%25E3%2583%2594%25E3%2583%25BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc2MiU0RtMq4uUMkInGj3M_b0ysTArqgBH8y58ogk9pWJ7kEHlZAAsycI009VZXLeXMNdM6wbyCSW7OPRERUGS42HdscPonrRFgvIkAmz6poxK49GfNdzkFgbYb_ptU56DKWOmWjT_kE/s1600/tied+fabric+-+%25E3%2582%25B3%25E3%2583%2594%25E3%2583%25BC.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish pattern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINlsHy3dV01g_GJ2vPxUyjXqEukGOb7os3XXn_kC7mCbEAuQwYLJfGPCULyVBUtdePnPMTx8Ra_G3A19IiMOeS_bjls6U1Qk2q4iCIlME3IAX1-bNCQH_eSsgi-j7k0-bpVHDmHD3-Bg/s1600/finished+cloth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINlsHy3dV01g_GJ2vPxUyjXqEukGOb7os3XXn_kC7mCbEAuQwYLJfGPCULyVBUtdePnPMTx8Ra_G3A19IiMOeS_bjls6U1Qk2q4iCIlME3IAX1-bNCQH_eSsgi-j7k0-bpVHDmHD3-Bg/s1600/finished+cloth.jpeg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complicated flower and geometrical pattern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The manual
skills developed over time and passed down from generation to generation</span>
make each work a unique masterpiece! It`s really amazing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">It`s still
boiling hot out there, but I feel refreshed! What about you? :)</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-28829193106817696832014-06-12T03:20:00.000-07:002014-06-12T03:39:37.209-07:00China`s intangible Cultural Heritage<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">In my previous
post about maple resin dyeing technique I mentioned China National Intangible
Cultural Heritage List. But what is intangible cultural heritage? Well, roughly
it covers the oral traditions, languages, performing arts, social practices,
rituals, and traditional craftsmanship associated with a particular social
group, generally passed down orally. In this article I will give you an
overview of what is Intangible Cultural Heritage and what elements are included
in the List of China`s Intangible Cultural Heritage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The
UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Intangible
cultural heritage was promoted by UNESCO as a counterpart to the World Heritage
that focuses mainly on tangible aspects of culture, and aims at safeguarding intangible
cultural heritage. According to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage, the intangible cultural heritage is defined as </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">“the
practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the
instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that
communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their
cultural heritage”. </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Among many
others, the following elements are inscribed on the List of China</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Chinese shadow
puppetry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Wooden
movable-type printing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Art of Chinese
seal engraving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Regong arts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQlZReXbAS6m5PC4TA7YJktam4xsAbKJc8XdP0w9xv6KPSmMol-BzrbxQ1gd9AiOo_HGnljt-HV8ta-G6dEB4HTMOrTIBUI1ghV-B-f6z6ZqhcCI81FNcEj4qUgb3dl24yShlKzdo6Yg/s1600/shadow+puppets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQlZReXbAS6m5PC4TA7YJktam4xsAbKJc8XdP0w9xv6KPSmMol-BzrbxQ1gd9AiOo_HGnljt-HV8ta-G6dEB4HTMOrTIBUI1ghV-B-f6z6ZqhcCI81FNcEj4qUgb3dl24yShlKzdo6Yg/s1600/shadow+puppets.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xi`An Shadow Puppets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0mm; margin-right: 0mm; margin-top: 0mm;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">China’s
Intangible Cultural Heritage List</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The early
1950’s, when the Chinese government started investigating the minority cultural
heritages in China and taking measures to protect and nurture a large number of
traditional arts and crafts industry, are considered the beginning of the
heritage protection in China.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">In 2006, 2008
and 2011 the state council of China announced three batches of national level
intangible cultural heritage list, a total of 1,219 inscribed in it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(YE Peng, ZHOU Yao-lin. The Development and Trends Of China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Among the fine
arts and crafts list we can find:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Tibetan Thangka</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Kite-Making
Techniques</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Xiangdong Nuo
mask</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Tie-Dyeing
Techniques of Bai Ethnic Group</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Paper cuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">And many others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8K4anx9fBGNy_0w3JArrfaAbsv3yxVAAsLy77Oshu02qhVefhWWWUnuvF2pRtIbkdlaepTfBaEuzyYCBPBCpLLyKtw-pdxmOMAHxRzYyo8dCMqyGKOkSEn4evQmghe1AlkXmI0kNC5s/s1600/papercut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8K4anx9fBGNy_0w3JArrfaAbsv3yxVAAsLy77Oshu02qhVefhWWWUnuvF2pRtIbkdlaepTfBaEuzyYCBPBCpLLyKtw-pdxmOMAHxRzYyo8dCMqyGKOkSEn4evQmghe1AlkXmI0kNC5s/s1600/papercut.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Zodiac Papercut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">On this blog we
will mainly introduce arts and crafts from the UNESCO List and the China
National List. Making it known to the public, showing our support and
appreciation we hope to contribute somehow to keep alive intangible cultural
heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Don`t miss the
next post to find out more about fascinating techniques and unique crafts! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">For further
information about the Intangible Heritage Lists</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> visit the <a href="http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011" target="_blank">UNESCO site</a>.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-14188351640623636492014-06-10T20:56:00.002-07:002014-06-14T19:40:24.187-07:00Heavenly Dyeing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dyes derived
from plants have an extensive history in communities worldwide, however,
nowadays natural pigments have almost been completely replaced with synthetic
dyes and, unfortunately, traditional dye and its knowledge are being threatened
by globalization.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">This is
especially true for China, where the persistence of plant-derived dyes and
associated cultural practices is threatened by the astonishingly rapid socio-economic
change.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Nevertheless some
ethnic minority groups in remote areas continue to utilize dye plants for
coloring clothing.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">Speaking of Chinese natural dyeing technique, the most popular is
certainly batik dyeing of Miao, Yao, Buyi ethnic groups etc. in the southwest
region, which uses hot wax to create designs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">In this post
though I want to talk about a less known dyeing technique, which uses maple
resin instead of bee wax, called maple resin dye (“</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">枫香染</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">” in Chinese).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The maple
resin dye is a dyeing technique with a history of nearly 200 years invented by
the Buyi (or Bouyei) ethnic minority group, the second largest minority group
in Guizhou Province.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Instead of
using wax and wax spatula the raw material and tools for drawing the patterns
are painting brushed and the oil boiled from mixed maple resin and butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">This technique
features simple and elegant colors and patterns and is hence hailed as the “Blue
and white porcelain on canvas”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In 2008 the maple-resin dyeing of Huishui County (Guizhou Province)
was included in the China National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DwN84lDCKUMhjuy8sj00uXv7pXnxscHh92AtalDrBfKMvty9QQLcMdGs9sans2IlrdyTKd1cnycY-BA6nN5qBY1jntD5BjCFpg0VTbiZjpLcN4D6aRk9MzF72OCvgrocWrWMoI8RjBI/s1600/cloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DwN84lDCKUMhjuy8sj00uXv7pXnxscHh92AtalDrBfKMvty9QQLcMdGs9sans2IlrdyTKd1cnycY-BA6nN5qBY1jntD5BjCFpg0VTbiZjpLcN4D6aRk9MzF72OCvgrocWrWMoI8RjBI/s1600/cloth.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a dyed cloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8EeMEHDDHez4yQA9M5x-Z7DKhS9lvTwgrW2RnY9dz8Rg4VsJFPogRMCFvyxrocbIi7JEBAC9xWkRnloO9dRUGw0-w44TG1CRdYpgrqAT33cLxDxLIyb6wUAd9b5LKfCMrL0g4nDCewk/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8EeMEHDDHez4yQA9M5x-Z7DKhS9lvTwgrW2RnY9dz8Rg4VsJFPogRMCFvyxrocbIi7JEBAC9xWkRnloO9dRUGw0-w44TG1CRdYpgrqAT33cLxDxLIyb6wUAd9b5LKfCMrL0g4nDCewk/s1600/detail.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The process:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">After
collecting it from the tree, the resin is simmered with some butter and other materials
to filter impurities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXs8XwfzV4eIJCXMFg5ADpH-kEJzuNoQW_Z7XaSGyLXpNH_K_ysXJg0QB6jum692TQGCh2ibDBWU75DWqXzqXJC662_UDIimanNL3Tjpr2FU3IeohvXLZ40xdvKHrCiYd_urcZopAsiY/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXs8XwfzV4eIJCXMFg5ADpH-kEJzuNoQW_Z7XaSGyLXpNH_K_ysXJg0QB6jum692TQGCh2ibDBWU75DWqXzqXJC662_UDIimanNL3Tjpr2FU3IeohvXLZ40xdvKHrCiYd_urcZopAsiY/s1600/tree.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">collecting the resin</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The craftsmen then use the
resin at a temperature of 50-60</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: 'MS Mincho'; font-size: 10.5pt;">°</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">C to draw
patterns on a white canvas.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_WJ1XW_mOcI_3bvuoqavdBgWSh9a89qecPJCRh8j9n_jiv1YIkKD6OHs4ZUoqh_5DqVzwcE5GEEWNYHd-O-BmLOwLETZrYiqO_j3IAaG2-hgH8x49EhKzDLKcK-tbIjpadh7SYlhY9M/s1600/master+at+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_WJ1XW_mOcI_3bvuoqavdBgWSh9a89qecPJCRh8j9n_jiv1YIkKD6OHs4ZUoqh_5DqVzwcE5GEEWNYHd-O-BmLOwLETZrYiqO_j3IAaG2-hgH8x49EhKzDLKcK-tbIjpadh7SYlhY9M/s1600/master+at+work.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the artist at work</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">When the
drawing is finished the dyeing process begins. The painted cloth is soaked in a
bucket with indigo (like batik) for many times, and when the indigo dip-dyed
the white linen thoroughly the maple resin is washed out in hot water until the
patterns come to our sight. The linen is then bleached to wash away the
remaining indigo.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3CKG8XruFKMw6Yw2Kn7xEJjIU3ZQ_gytssvXFRCjC34dnTpNiTmAD9iPeW9mwo4UfsDOKUiAON6_vgJXXZAu_YAQ4XBWbtftUKK2SGv2S-l7wpBYuwy7nIScIvUZapI9XoKiFVwSi4o/s1600/drying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3CKG8XruFKMw6Yw2Kn7xEJjIU3ZQ_gytssvXFRCjC34dnTpNiTmAD9iPeW9mwo4UfsDOKUiAON6_vgJXXZAu_YAQ4XBWbtftUKK2SGv2S-l7wpBYuwy7nIScIvUZapI9XoKiFVwSi4o/s1600/drying.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drying cloths</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The artist you
see in the pictures is Yang Guangchen, heritor of maple-resin dyeing technique
as a state intangible cultural heritage. He took on the technique from his
father at the age of 13, and nowadays, at the age of 80, struggles to find heritors
that will learn this technique.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">In <a href="http://chinahiddencrafts.blogspot.com/p/videos.html" target="_blank">China Today`s video</a> China
Today`s video you can watch an interview with Yang Guangchen, showing the
dyeing process.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In the next post I will
introduce some exquisite creations made using the resin maple dyeing technique.
Stay tuned for more!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The pictures in this article are a courtesy of Xiaomujiang.
If you read Chinese you can visit his blog <a href="http://www.chiyou.name/blog/hz/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174591607326949302.post-22018085075235854472014-06-09T04:10:00.000-07:002014-06-11T20:01:23.598-07:00Changing your view of China<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When
thinking about Made in China the first image that comes to your mind is
the mass produced health threatening low quality cheap things sold everywhere
in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But China, with five thousand years of history, is one of the
world's oldest civilizations, and this means that it must have a very rich and
diverse culture, which, as in any civilization, finds expression in art and
crafts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, you most likely don't see those kinds of things on
the market, as traditional arts and crafts and their associated knowledge are
being threatened by globalization and replaced by mass produced less valuable
objects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With this blog I want to show you that valuable and unique
handicraft products still exist in China, they are just very hard to find!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0mm;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In each post I will introduce a traditional craft, telling the
story of artists and people behind it, and documenting my travels to remote
Chinese regions where the traditional heritage of art and crafts is still
preserved.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd8q747zRCM4dJtnPQQUlRsa0yuzZHr5CjuBrXpDMiiqEws_ztZamO_670Gcu9bvB44WNUdPoKFkxTkIxV5rdgep7DkXeZvPcVF7EYFTUSYjVXKzhLIEhAm2R5FIOwuJtuhIBtXhziko/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd8q747zRCM4dJtnPQQUlRsa0yuzZHr5CjuBrXpDMiiqEws_ztZamO_670Gcu9bvB44WNUdPoKFkxTkIxV5rdgep7DkXeZvPcVF7EYFTUSYjVXKzhLIEhAm2R5FIOwuJtuhIBtXhziko/s1600/me.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Simsun, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09050686659593952540noreply@blogger.com0