Of the numerous folk arts in China the paper-cut is perhaps the most popular and widespread form of art.Everywhere-whether in the loess plateau or the land of rivers and lakes in east China in the remote places or prosperous cities-you can see fine and beautiful paper-cuts that display the everlasting national customs and traditional charms of the Chinese nation.
In the face of such an ancient and ubiquitous folk art that emerged almost at the same time as paper itselfwhere should the introduction begin?
Perhaps it is correct to start with Weixian Countya well-known cultural city on the Central Plains known as"the home of Chinese paper-cut";or to start with Foshana famous industrial town in south Chinawhich is the birthplace of the culture;even stillperhaps it is appropriate to begin with the loess plateau in northern Shaanxiwhere there are rich grounds of historical culture.
The Color Paper-cut of Weixian Hebei
Located at the juncture of Hebei and Shanxi Provinces,Weixian is“home of the paper-cut of China,”so named by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Association of Folk Artists.
It is impossible to find the exact date of origin of the paper-cut of Veixian.It is generally believed that it has a history of more than 150 yearsbeginning with the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty(1821-1850). Many legends exist with regard to its origin. It is said that long, long ago in Weixian County, a Mr. Wang and a Taoist named Zhang often used scissors and knives to cut colored paper and later the two ran a workshopto produce paper-cuts—one cutting,the other dyeing.
In close cooperation the men gradually created the colorful paper-cuts of Weixian County with dexterous workmanship and a riot of colors and many displays.
Of the numerous schools of paper-cuts in China,the workmanship of the paper-cut of Weixian County is unique.One of its special artistic features is point dyeing of the paper.Most of China’s paper-cuts are made of red paper or paper of other single colors and only those of Weixian County are made with paper in different colors.This paper-cut is not crafted with scissors but with knives.The thin rice paper of Xuancheng,Anhui Province,is cut with a small,sharp knife and colored with a Chinese writing brush.The colors of the paper-cut of Weixian County are striking but sprightly and harmonious with a strong local flavor.Because the paper-cut of Weixian not only requires a meticulous cutting skill but also a superb spot-dyeing skill,there is an axiom that the paper-cut of Weixian depends 30 percent on the cutting skill and 70 percent on dyeing.
The subjects of the paper-cut are extremely rich and varied:figures of plays and dramas,folklores,fairy tales,as well as birds and animals,flowers and plants,insects and fishes,landscapes,etc.The people of Weixian refer to paper-cuts as“window designs,”because most are pasted on windows,which are usually made of paper.Under the bright sunshine the“window designs”become dainty,exquisite,and lively in a variety of colors.Most of the“authors”of these paper-cuts are peasants who do all of the painting,cutting,and dyeing.Through many years of development many outstanding paper-cut artists have emerged.Of these,the most famous is Wang Laoshang(1890–1951),who perfected the traditional skills of paper-cutting and dyeing.All the dramatic figures he cut were lively,vivid,and fondly loved by the people.He was posthumously given the title“a Chinese folk artist of the 20th century”because of his great contributions to Weixian paper-cuts and the art of the paper-cut of China.
The Southern Zhangzhuang Village of Weixian County,hometown of Wang Laoshang,is one of the most important birthplaces of Weixian paper-cut.At present,tourists may appreciate the entire process of paper-cutting at the“Paper-cut Street”of the village.In the slow season of winter,people may see wooden frames carried on the bicycles at local fairs,on which gorgeous“window patterns”are pasted,a sight unique in the county.
The Bronze Foil Paper-cut of Foshan,Guangdong
In south-central Guangdong Province in the hinterland of the Pearl River Delta,Foshan has been a confluence of merchants and commodities since ancient times.It has fostered a developed handicraft industry and is now one of the four most famous handicraft towns of China.The woodblock New Year paintings and paper-cuts have unique features.They are among the first group of folk arts that have entered the catalog of intangible cultural heritages of China.