[Explanation] The sound of gongs and drums, the dancing of unicorns...Every holiday, there is always a loud voice in front of the Zhazuo Pavilion at the entrance of the Kutung Village in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong.

When the reporter met Mao Zhuoqi, the owner of the exhibition hall, he was facing the sun to introduce the craftsmanship to visitors.

　　[Concurrent] Hong Kong Kirin Zhazuo Master Mao Zhuoqi

　　It has been more than a year since the opening of this museum, so there have been about 2,000 people (visiting) up to now.

Why do you want to spend money to do some free things in this place, we have no income.

Through their photographs, word of mouth, or uploading some social media, you have a Zhazuo Museum in Gudong to help promote this culture of Zhazuo together.

　　[Explanation] As one of the few surviving unicorn craftsmen in Hong Kong, a few years ago, Mao Zhuoqi set up a small exhibition room here at his own expense to display his and his students’ works, aiming to promote traditional craftsmanship. Work culture.

According to Mao Zhuoqi, the art of Hong Kong Kirin has a history of about 200 years. It was first introduced to Hong Kong from Foshan, Guangzhou, and it continued the traditional Cantonese skills of "Zhupu writing" in craftsmanship.

　　[Concurrent] Hong Kong Kirin Zhazuo Master Mao Zhuoqi

　　First of all, we first cut these bamboo strips, cut them to the same size, length and thickness, and then place them in these places.

We will take some sandpaper and make a little bit of paste at the beginning. At this position, we will twist this piece of paper slowly while turning it. The purpose is to make it as strong as a rope.

Then tie a knot at the end, and that's it.

Every other position is done in this way.

After tying the unicorn, small pieces of sandpaper will be rubbed with the paste, and one by one will be pasted from these places and pasted into this shape. After it is dried or air-dried, it will be It became a very hard shell.

Then we paint on it, write with a pen, write patterns, paint colors, and write letters. After writing, after applying glycerin, we just need to paste the hair on it to complete it. This is the four processes of "Zhapu writing". .

　　[Explanation] The more bamboo strip nodes, the more evenly and finely the sandpaper is laid, the more delicate and firm the work presented.

If the "framework" and "sticking of gauze paper" test the patience and perseverance of the producer, then the step of "painting" requires more creativity and thinking from the craftsman.

　　[Concurrent] Hong Kong Kirin Zhazuo Master Mao Zhuoqi

　　I just think about it while doing it myself, for example, its theme is purple.

There are shades of purple, what color does purple hit?

Purple may hit some yellow, hit some green, hit some light green, hit some dark green, a little orange, yellow, so that it is conspicuous.

You must add a little white to the black to make it stand out.

So there is no end to doing this.

Art creation is different for every work.

If everything is the same, it is no longer artistic creation, it is already a business.

　　[Explanation] Mao Zhuoqi joined the industry at the age of 19 and has now grown into the industry's leading veteran.

He said frankly that the crafting skills are time-consuming and laborious, easy to learn and difficult to master, and it is even more common to make ends meet, but his love for the customs of his hometown has allowed him to work in this industry for 30 years.

　　[Concurrent] Hong Kong Kirin Zhazuo Master Mao Zhuoqi

　　Every year in our Kwudong village, there will be a Guanyin birthday, a big drama, a unicorn dance, and fireworks.

I have known these activities since I was a child, and I don’t need to learn them. In addition, I am very interested in these festive things and like them very much.

That is to say, I am interested in this matter. When I grow up or when I have time, or when I have the ability, I want to be a lion and a unicorn by myself.

　　[Explanation] With the development of the times and changes in the city, the scale of the birthday of Gods and various traditional festivals has shrunk year by year. The paper lanterns and flower plaques that can be seen everywhere in the past are also declining. Hong Kong's local staple goods market is gradually shrinking.

In Mao Zhuoqi's view, although young people are reluctant to enter the industry, the dilemma of gradual retirement of the elderly is inevitable, but he also hopes to continue to spread and preserve this long-standing folk craft in his own way.

　　Reporter Fan Siyi reports from Hong Kong

Editor in charge: [Wang Kai]