Cuban rattan playing and appreciation

Author: He Yue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-01
Features: The author not only meticulously explores the historical origins, categories, and processing techniques of gourds but also concisely introduces knowledge about playing, appreciating, collecting, and maintaining them. It can be said that this is a rich and accessible popular book on gourds, making it highly suitable for beginners who are interested in gourd craftsmanship but have not yet fully entered the field. Gourds, which sound like "fortune and wealth" (), were previously called "hulu," "pao," or "hu" before the Han Dynasty; after the Han Dynasty, they were referred to as "hulu" or "gourd." Li Shizhen, a renowned Ming Dynasty medical expert, described "hulu" in his work Compendium of Materia Medica as follows: "Hulu refers to wine vessels, while lu refers to rice vessels." With the continuous advancement of human technology, most of these practical functions have gradually disappeared. What people truly cherish now are the more abstract "aesthetic functions." Gourds are no longer just vessels but have become a form of art for appreciation.
Gourds are common plants with a long history of cultivation in China and are grown in a wide range of regions. Botanically, they can be broadly categorized into the following types:
1. Large Gourds: Widely cultivated by farmers, these gourds can be eaten as vegetables when young, and after ripening, they are often split in half to serve as water scoops or containers for various items.
2. Waist Gourds (Yayao): A common variety, more widely cultivated in ancient and modern times. Their shape is quite adorable, resembling two stacked spheres with a larger top and smaller bottom, featuring a "wasp waist" in the middle, hence the name "waist gourd." In ancient times, people often used waist gourds to store medicine or wine. The famous "Living Buddha" Jigong and the "Iron Crutch Li" among the Eight Immortals are said to have carried such gourds on their waists. Today, artists use techniques like "fire painting" and "embossed decoration" to make waist gourds even more dazzling! Small waist gourds are also highly sought after by enthusiasts who love "small-hand-nurtured" gourds. The tiniest waist gourds (round ones) are as small as peas and are said to be priceless, with legends claiming they are rarely seen even in gourd-growing regions. Thus, they are even rarer and more precious!
3. Flat-round Gourds
4. Long-stemmed Gourds
5. Hulu Seeds (These are briefly introduced)
Below are a few pictures of small waist gourds I grew on my balcony for reference for enthusiasts.