Traditional Chinese crafts

Author: Hang Jian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The wisdom of traditional Chinese craftsmanship can be summarized in the following aspects. First is "valuing oneself and employing external things," which means valuing the life essence and controlling man-made things. It emphasizes that any craft is centered on the human being, which is what is now called "human-centered." This point is extremely important for the development of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. Second is "utilitarianism and benefiting people," which emphasizes practicality and livelihood. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Western missionaries or foreign envoys who came to China brought mostly toys as gifts, such as self-playing clocks. This shows that many of the things produced in the West at that time were not entirely utilitarian. Third is "understanding the shape and potential, each suited to its purpose," which discusses the relationship between craftsmanship and specific techniques and materials. There are many examples in this regard: such as how wood is used in furniture manufacturing to handle different structures based on its properties, or how inkstones are made by utilizing the unique colors of stones to create things that are both in harmony with the material's characteristics and functional. These are all small examples of crafting according to material. From a macro perspective, traditional Chinese craftsmanship pays great attention to materials and technical conditions, integrating functional requirements into design. Fourth is "ingenious methods and the creation of nature," which emphasizes that creation draws inspiration from nature and maintains harmony between humans and nature. Fifth is "skills carrying the Dao," which means that technology embodies ideological factors, combining the tangible aspects of manufacturing, such as specific functional operations and technical labor, with the intangible theories. Sixth is "gentle and refined," meaning that the exterior and essence are appropriately matched. It emphasizes the unity of content and form, as well as the unity of function and decoration, which can be found in many examples of traditional Chinese craftsmanship.