China News Service, Poyang, Jiangxi, September 18th (Huashan Li Jianbo) Bodiless lacquerware is a traditional handicraft product in China. It began in the Han Dynasty and is side by side with porcelain and cloisonne, and enjoys the reputation of "China's Three Treasures".
Ding Guokun, 80 years old this year, is a representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of "Poyang Bodiless Lacquer Decorating Technique". Born in a local lacquer art family, he has been engaged in the research and production of bodiless lacquer ware for more than 60 years.
A few days ago, the reporter walked into the time-honored Ding Guangchang Lacquerware Lacquer Shop in Poyang County, Jiangxi Province. Ding Guokun rubbed olive oil with his forehand and wiped a bodiless lacquer vase repeatedly.
This is the last process of the lacquerware without the body - painting, which can retain the soft gloss of the lacquer surface.
The picture shows Ding Guokun, the inheritor of "Poyang Bodiless Lacquer Decoration Technique", being interviewed by reporters.
Photo by Huashan
Ding Guokun introduced to reporters that the lacquer ware is made of natural raw lacquer, ramie cloth and lacquer ash. After more than 70 processes such as molding, wrapping, ash, varnishing, rubbing, and painting, a finished product can be produced. Has a complete set of perfect lacquer production system.
"The production process of bodiless lacquerware is the most complicated type of handicraft. If you want to do the whole process from scratch to the end, you can't master it without decades of experience." Ding Guokun said.
The picture shows Ding Guokun painting the final process of a bodiless lacquer ware.
Photo by Li Jianbo
Lacquerware has a long history in China.
As early as the Neolithic Age, people recognized the function of raw lacquer and used it to make utensils. With the continuous development of lacquer craftsmanship, it has finally reached a very high artistic level. , bright and moist, timeless.
However, this traditional handicraft is also facing the problem of how to inherit and develop.
Ding Guokun said that he has accepted many apprentices for decades, but very few can really persevere and make a living.
"Because it takes several months for you to make a product, but the cost of living is very high now. You can't live without income. This is a real problem. It is very difficult to earn food from a work for a few months."
The picture shows Ding Guokun inspecting his own lacquer work.
Photo by Li Jianbo
In recent years, Ding Guokun has been often invited to give lectures in major art colleges and universities in China, and has given guidance to students in lacquer art and lacquer painting craftsmanship.
Ding Guokun expressed that he hoped that the society can give appropriate rewards or subsidies to students who are interested in this skill, so that they can learn it seriously, and he will make every effort to inherit this culture without reservation.
(Finish)