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. ■
最长春节假期收官：多地接待游客远超往年，“南北互换”流动趋势明显 澎湃新闻记者 唐莹莹 2月17日正月初八，为期8天的史上最长春节假期正式收官。 根据全国各地文旅部门、热门景区以及多家在线旅游平台的数 新华社记者熊轩昂春风送暖，阳光和煦。2月21日上午，昆明市2024年“春风行动”暨“春暖农民工”服务行动专场招聘会在南坝人力资源市场举行。记者在现场走访观察到：参加招聘会的企业涉及领域广，涵盖智能制 四年亏掉10年利润，中国民航飞向何处 | 供给侧调查 2023年是中国民航连续亏损的第四年。 疫情三年，民航全行业累计亏损超过4000亿，2023年虽然大幅减亏，但依然没能扭亏为盈，全行业亏损288亿，其中航空公司亏损170亿 中新经纬2月23日电 (王玉玲 刘雪玉)近期，美国开放人工智能研究中心(OpenAI)的文生视频大模型Sora一经推出，就引爆互联网。有业内人士认为，以Sora为首的多模态大模型，将带人类走向更超乎想象的地方。如何看待Sora的发 2023年能源投资保持快速增长(新数据 新看点) 新能源完成投资额同比增长超34% 本报北京2月22日电 (记者丁怡婷)记者近日从国家能源局获悉：2023年，我国能源投资保持快速增长，据监测，全国在建和年内拟开工能源重点 印度等不及了！当地制药商开始仿制“减肥神药” 财联社2月22日讯(编辑 夏军雄)为了从新型减肥药市场分一杯羹，印度制药商已经开始开发他们自己版本的“减肥神药”。 作为新一代减肥药物，诺和诺德的Wegovy和礼来 。本文链接：Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44719-0.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