TIANJIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a studio adorned with antique charm in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Zhang Yu delicately rotated the clay sculpture with his left hand while skillfully carving intricate details with a tool in his right.
Gradually, a "Lucky Star" clay figure took shape in Zhang's hands, its face beaming with kindness and joy, while its flowing robes added a sense of movement.
"The Lucky Star held a big gold ingot in his right hand and a ruyi, a symbol of good luck, in his left hand, which means joy and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. It perfectly fitted the festive and peaceful atmosphere of the Spring Festival," said Zhang, the sixth-generation inheritor of Clay Figure Zhang, a renowned form of intangible cultural heritage in China.
To celebrate the Spring Festival in the Year of the Snake, 59 "Lucky Star" clay figures were released on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year. Many customers had already placed reservations, eager to own a piece of art imbued with good wishes.
Clay Figure Zhang is a household name in traditional folk art in China, and such artwork has a history of nearly 200 years. It was listed in 2006 in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage.
The craft's essence lies in its traditional techniques. "The clay used for the Lucky Star sculptures is stored in a cellar for three years before being sculpted. Completing a single piece takes over three months and involves multiple intricate steps, such as shaping, air-drying, firing, polishing and painting," Zhang explained.
"No matter how the themes and styles evolve, we remain committed to excellence in clay sculpture craftsmanship and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage," he added.
On Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin's oldest hub for folk culture and commerce, the red-and-gold signboard of Clay Figure Zhang's shop stands out, drawing visitors inside.
Stepping into the elegant store, customers are greeted by lifelike, vibrantly painted sculptures depicting historical figures, folklore, daily life, and mythical legends, all displayed in the shop's windows.
"Each piece is exquisitely crafted and incredibly lifelike -- it feels as if the figures' expressions convey real emotions. I hope my children can experience this intangible cultural heritage firsthand and develop a love for China's traditional culture," said Teng Haiming, a visitor from Inner Mongolia, as he explored the shop with his children.
The Spring Festival, the social practice of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, was added by UNESCO to its list of intangible cultural heritage in December last year.
Clay Figure Zhang also introduced a series of Chinese New Year-themed sculptures to celebrate the inclusion, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Zhang noted that while these new pieces retained the realistic style and vibrant colors of Clay Figure Zhang's legacy, their design and color palettes incorporated contemporary influences.
"We release about five new works each year, continuously integrating modern elements into our clay figures," Zhang said.
Beyond its traditional sculptures, Clay Figure Zhang has also embraced cultural innovation, expanding into creative merchandise. A wide range of products, such as desk calendars, refrigerator magnets, and stamp books, are displayed in the store.
Among them, a newly launched bookmark stood out. "The bookmark is sealed with wax, similar to a blind box, adding an element of surprise for customers like drawing a lottery," said Li Dan, deputy general manager of Clay Figure Zhang.
Gao Pengfei, a 24-year-old visitor from Shandong, chose a Guan Gong clay sculpture bookmark inspired by the historical figure renowned for his loyalty.
"These new products bring intangible cultural heritage closer to younger generations, helping tourists better appreciate Tianjin's unique traditions," he said.
Li emphasized the importance of keeping traditional culture relevant in modern times. "We can't just wait for young people to take an interest in intangible cultural heritage. We must engage with the evolving market," she said.
"During the Spring Festival holiday, tourists from all over China visit our shop. We hope this store serves as a window to showcase the charm of Tianjin's folk art, culture, and intangible heritage," Zhang said. ■
中新经纬1月11日电 “上海市场监管”微信号11日消息，宜家召回3008件USB充电器。 上海市市场监管局称，宜家(中国)投资有限公司自2024年1月10日至2024年4月9日召回2020年4月至2023年12月生产的宜家牌ASKSTORM 奥斯 国家移民管理局：春节假期1351.7万人次出入境 同比增长2.8倍 中新网2月18日电 据国家移民管理局微信公众号消息，2024年春节假期全国边检机关共保障1351.7万人次中外人员出入境，日均169万人次，较2023年春节同期增长2 春节初一至初七逾130万人次访港 内地游客占近九成 中新网2月18日电 据香港《文汇报》报道，据香港特区政府入境处统计，今年年初一至年初七(2月10日至16日)共录得逾130万人次旅客访港，接近2019年春节的水平(140万人 2月电影票房破100亿，传媒板块多股涨停，行业有望持续繁荣 2月23日，传媒板块盘中持续走强，截至发稿，宣亚国际20%涨停，赛因集团涨超19%，文投控股、天威视讯、中视传媒等多股涨停，川网传媒、百纳千成涨超8%。 消息上，据 “新年刚过，我已经买好了十一旅游的机票” 中新网北京2月23日电(张钰惠)在年初就买好全年的旅行机票，是一种怎样的体验？近日，三亚、哈尔滨等网红城市的天价返程机票引发关注。为了最大程度上避开高价机票，压缩旅 中新经纬2月22日电 据“中国铁路”微信号消息，2月21日，全国铁路发送旅客1201.2万人次，铁路运输安全平稳。2月22日，全国铁路客流持续高位运行，预计发送旅客1125万人次，加开旅客列车867列。 各地铁路部门积极应对低温 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44627-0.html
声明：本网站为非营利性网站，本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献，不代表本站观点，本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼，请大家谨防诈骗！若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系，我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇： GLOBALink | German entrepreneur embraces Chinese New Year traditions in E China
下一篇： Across China: Robots add futuristic twist to China's Spring Festival