Editor's Note: This article is produced in collaboration with the Chongqing Institute of Foreign Studies as part of a series of ongoing reports exploring the city's abundant resources in intangible cultural heritages.
Rongchang Folding Fans.
There are numerous intangible cultural heritages in the hinterland of Chongqing. Among them, Rongchang folding fans from the southwestern part of Chongqing are the most suitable accessories for ladies and gentlemen, which have long been integrated into the development of the whole city.
Yin Chunlian, the fourth-generation inheritor of Rongchang Folding Fan Factory, has immersed herself in the memories of folding fans since childhood. Despite her age, she has no regrets in choosing this path.
The basic process of making a Rongchang folding fan includes choosing the bamboo, cutting branches, building a framework, organizing its shape, paper-pasting, fan folding, fan tying, fan polishing, checking, engraving, painting and writing, and finally, packaging. Yin Chunlian has repeated these repetitive procedures year after year. Recalling the strict requirements and careful guidance from her senior sister apprentice, she feels all her laborious efforts pay off. As a craftsman, she often gets some wounds on her hands, but she still remembers what her grandmother once said, “Wounds and calluses are the symbols of a craftsman’s hard work.”
She also remembers what the old generation in her family taught her – “selling fans” is actually “making friends”. As an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, she prefers to choose the disabled locals to write and paint on the folding fans, although she knows that the calligraphic and painting works from famous artists like Zhang Daqian and Xie Wuliang would make Rongchang folding fans more valuable. “What makes me happy is that I can inherit this business from my family. Now I have devoted half of my life to Rongchang folding fans, not just for my hometown, but for the inheritance,” Yin Chunlian said proudly.
The most eye-catching feature of the folding fan factory is the black and white photo wall that captures the history and development of Rongchang folding fans. As for Yin Chunlian, she is always moved whenever she sees these photos or hears heartfelt praises for Rongchang folding fans from domestic and foreign friends. However, she does feel a bit worried about the inheritance in the next generation because this is a family business, and her son has his own successful career. Despite this, she feels obliged to be a responsible inheritor for now.
The principle of “not revealing secrets to outsiders” contradicts her willingness to share and show, from the initial persistence to accumulation, and finally to affection. To better preserve Rongchang folding fans, Yin Chunlian combines Rongchang grass cloth, another local intangible cultural heritage, with it. However, the powerful combination fails to save its precarious existence. “Now all we can do is to protect and preserve, and innovation is too hard for me”. Beyond these words is Yin Chunlian’s ardent hopes for young generations to make leading innovations. Fortunately, more and more people are taking notice of this intangible cultural heritage.
“Rongchang folding fans integrate the spirits of Chongqing and flourish the city”. Rongchang folding fans have contributed to the achievements of a city and a generation. When a daily necessity becomes an artistic object, can we realize how intangible cultural heritage appear and exist around us?
Chinese script: Fan Shixun
Tutored by: Wang Ruqian
Translation: Feng Lei
Tutored by:Wu Shulin, Lu Siying, Hu Wei
Voice-over:Dong Qiling
Tutored by: Ren Yi