This panda scene was made by Nanjing velvet-flower artist Zhao Shu-xian. The Chinese word for velvet flowers refers to all figures made from thin copper sticks covered with silk velvet. Nanjing is the birthplace of many of the country's traditional arts.
Traditional crafts: Velvet flowers —
This panda scene was made by Nanjing velvet-flower artist Zhao Shu-xian. The Chinese word for velvet flowers refers to all figures made from thin copper sticks covered with silk velvet. Nanjing is the birthplace of many of the country's traditional arts.
Sun Chen
Having a similar pronunciation as the word for prosperity in Chinese, "rong-hua" (velvet flower) is seen as a lucky charm in China, especially during weddings and festivals.
Lucky charms —
Having a similar pronunciation as the word for prosperity in Chinese, "rong-hua" (velvet flower) is seen as a lucky charm in China, especially during weddings and festivals.
Sun Chen
To make velvet flowers, pieces of silk are boiled then dyed different colors before they're wrapped onto thin copper wires.
Velvet chickens —
To make velvet flowers, pieces of silk are boiled then dyed different colors before they're wrapped onto thin copper wires.
Sun Chen
Zhao Shu-xian has been making velvet flowers for 40 years. He was an apprentice of velvet-flower master Zhou Jia-feng and is now China's only recognized velvet-flower artist.
Velvet-flower master —
Zhao Shu-xian has been making velvet flowers for 40 years. He was an apprentice of velvet-flower master Zhou Jia-feng and is now China's only recognized velvet-flower artist.
Sun Chen
Nanjing's silk brocade is known as "yunjin," meaning brocade that is "as beautiful as clouds at sunset."
Yunjin (Brocade) —
Nanjing's silk brocade is known as "yunjin," meaning brocade that is "as beautiful as clouds at sunset."
Sun Chen
Nanjing's yunjin has been offered as tributes to royal families of various dynasties.
Royal tributes —
Nanjing's yunjin has been offered as tributes to royal families of various dynasties.
Sun Chen
Dating back more than 1,500 years, authentic brocade is still produced with old-fashioned wooden weaving machines.
Traditional way of weaving —
Dating back more than 1,500 years, authentic brocade is still produced with old-fashioned wooden weaving machines.
Sun Chen
These four-meter-high machines are operated by two craftsmen at the same time -- one sits on top the machine sorting threads, the other sits at the opposite end and weaves. Each team can produce only five centimeters of yunjin per day.
Five centimeters per day —
These four-meter-high machines are operated by two craftsmen at the same time -- one sits on top the machine sorting threads, the other sits at the opposite end and weaves. Each team can produce only five centimeters of yunjin per day.
Sun Chen
After China's state television CCTV showcased the paper-cutting work of Zhang Fang-lin, aka "Jinling Holy Scissorhand," in 2013, pirated versions of his Chinese zodiac design started appearing all over the country.
Paper cuts —
After China's state television CCTV showcased the paper-cutting work of Zhang Fang-lin, aka "Jinling Holy Scissorhand," in 2013, pirated versions of his Chinese zodiac design started appearing all over the country.
Sun Chen
Among China's community of paper-cutting artists, Zhang is the first to have been recognized by the government as a senior handicraft and art master.
Jinling Holy Scissorhand —
Among China's community of paper-cutting artists, Zhang is the first to have been recognized by the government as a senior handicraft and art master.
Sun Chen
Paper-cutting artists don't need sketches. They're known for their improvisational skills and in the past were hired to perform at wedding parties.
Improv —
Paper-cutting artists don't need sketches. They're known for their improvisational skills and in the past were hired to perform at wedding parties.
Sun Chen
The area in front of the Confucius Temple along Nanjing's Qinhuai River has hosted the country's most famous lantern show since China's Southern Dynasty (420-589). This shot was taken during the 2012 show.
Lantern show —
The area in front of the Confucius Temple along Nanjing's Qinhuai River has hosted the country's most famous lantern show since China's Southern Dynasty (420-589). This shot was taken during the 2012 show.
Sun Chen
Every year, lantern master Cao Zhen-rong's studio is responsible for creating 10,000 lanterns for Nanjing's Lunar New Year celebrations and lantern festival.
Lantern master —
Every year, lantern master Cao Zhen-rong's studio is responsible for creating 10,000 lanterns for Nanjing's Lunar New Year celebrations and lantern festival.
Sun Chen
"From sourcing the materials to gluing the lanterns, around 30 procedures are involved in making each lantern," says Cao.
Lantern-making —
"From sourcing the materials to gluing the lanterns, around 30 procedures are involved in making each lantern," says Cao.
Sun Chen
Buddhist scroll engravers carve sutras onto wooden blocks that are printed onto paper. Then, the scrolls are sorted and bound by hand.
Buddhist scroll engraving —
Buddhist scroll engravers carve sutras onto wooden blocks that are printed onto paper. Then, the scrolls are sorted and bound by hand.
Sun Chen
"It takes half a month to complete a wooden plate of 800 words," says nationally recognized senior engraver Ma Meng-qing. "Some of the more famous sutras, like the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, each consists of 16 wooden plates."
How long does it take? —
"It takes half a month to complete a wooden plate of 800 words," says nationally recognized senior engraver Ma Meng-qing. "Some of the more famous sutras, like the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra, each consists of 16 wooden plates."
Sun Chen
Jinling Buddhism Publishing House was founded in 1866 by a Buddhist scholar. It's now one of only two engraved block printing houses specializing in Buddhist scrolls left in China.
Jinling Buddhism Publishing House —
Jinling Buddhism Publishing House was founded in 1866 by a Buddhist scholar. It's now one of only two engraved block printing houses specializing in Buddhist scrolls left in China.
Sun Chen
The house stocks more than 130,000 plates carved with Buddhist sutras and images.
Great archives —
The house stocks more than 130,000 plates carved with Buddhist sutras and images.
Sun Chen
"There were gold leaves everywhere in the studio," says Nanjing-based photographer Sun Chen, who visited this gold leaf workshop. "I have never seen that much gold in my life."
Gold leaf —
"There were gold leaves everywhere in the studio," says Nanjing-based photographer Sun Chen, who visited this gold leaf workshop. "I have never seen that much gold in my life."
Sun Chen
Gold leaves are used to plaster the surfaces of Buddhist sculptures in temples, as well as in architecture and even food.
Multiple uses —
Gold leaves are used to plaster the surfaces of Buddhist sculptures in temples, as well as in architecture and even food.
Sun Chen