Editor

Professor Chen Ping

Global President of the International Organization of Folk Arts (IOV), Chief Chair of the UNESCO Chair on the Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Handicrafts, Dean of the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Jinan University, Professor

Preface

There are always some things that, needless to say, are deeply hidden in our bloodline. There are always some memories that have not been labeled, but are engraved among the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees. What are we talking about when we talk about "China", "tradition", and those artifacts that have been worn for thousands of years and are still as warm as ever?

Perhaps it is a silent faith, a deep affection for time, and an understanding of 'people'. In an era full of speed and sound, we try to "see China" again with a quiet gaze.

It's not the territory on the map, not the noise in the news, nor the symbolic elements of "national style" - it's a texture of life, a strand of craftsmanship fireworks, a thread of civilization warmth that has traveled through a long time and has not yet dissipated.

To see China is to see a pair of calloused hands weaving the last piece of gold thread under the lamp; I saw an old man painting a wooden tire at dusk, almost focused; I saw a piece of silk swaying gently in the wind, and the totem on top seemed to be telling a fable from thousands of years ago.

What we see is not only skills, but also the soul of human beings; Not only traditional, but also a living and evolving cultural flow.

《The Art of Attacking Gold: Metal Rolls》by Wang Xiaoxin

Civilization, never far away

Every blade of grass, every tree, every knife, and every axe on this land contains a poetic expression of life. The ancient saying goes, "Instruments carry the message." Handicrafts are one of the gentlest and most steadfast expressions of Chinese civilization.

It doesn't speak, but it can convey meaning; Not flashy, but with its own radiance. The profoundness of lacquer art, the elegance of ceramics, the hardness and softness of metals, the etiquette of architecture, the blank space of printmaking, and the refinement of weaving and embroidery... Every craft is a listening to nature, an understanding of materials, and an exploration of the harmonious order between people and things. And this exploration is not just about skills, but also a philosophy.

It tells us that beauty is not a luxurious luxury, but the breath of daily life; Creation is not for shocking the world, but for gentle coexistence with the world.

As the giant wheel of industrialization rolls forward, traditional craftsmanship is like a reef in the river of the times. It does not refuse to move forward, but it also refuses to be completely swept away. It reminds us in an extremely slow way what is truly important.

《Huaxia Construction: Architecture Volume》By Wang Qijun

The Philosophy of Hands: Temperature, Patience, and Reverence

In modern society, the functions of the hand are becoming increasingly limited, and people are accustomed to tapping their fingertips and receiving commands immediately. In handicrafts, the hand is an extension of thought, an organ of emotion, and the dwelling place of the soul. Every strike, every cut, every thread of needle and thread is an intimate conversation between people and objects.

There is no copy and paste here, only waiting and echoing. There is no standardization, only individuality, contingency, and irretrievable uniqueness. This is a philosophy, a deep reflection on how humans exist in the world.

As Hegel once said, "True freedom is not to detach from things, but to dance with them." The nostalgia brought by handicrafts is not about old things, but rather a hint of another possibility for future life - a slow life, a warm creation, and a poetic resistance that prevents people from being systematically alienated.

《Colorful Clouds and Clouds: Weaving, Dyeing, Embroidering Scrolls》by Li We

The way of civilized dialogue: not shouting, but inviting to have a cup of tea together

In the context of globalization, culture is no longer an isolated island of one country and one place. We talk about traditional Chinese crafts, not for retro purposes, but for dialogue. Not pushing China towards the center of the world, but inviting the world into China's daily life.

Just as ancient literati invited friends into the garden not to show off the lush greenery, but to enjoy the autumn scenery and clear tea together. Truly profound culture never requires loud noise. It only needs to use tools as a medium, convey emotions through art, and convey a sense of human heart in one thing.

The significance of Chinese craftsmanship lies in its willingness to exchange glances with the world, rather than compete in terms of standards, as the saying goes, 'Beauty and unity make the world a whole.'. Willing to use a tapestry, a hairpin, and a tea cup, quietly yet firmly say: This is our philosophy of life, this is the warmth of our civilization.

《Author of "Lacquer Art Splendor: The Great Lacquer Scroll》by Yang Peizhang

Seeing China is not just looking back at history, but also seeing the future

《The publication of the six volume book "Seeing China: Traditional Chinese Handicrafts》is not only a cultural sorting and presentation, but also a questioning of life.

The six crafts - lacquer art, ceramics, metal, architecture, watermark printing, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery - each have their own profound traditions and are also seeking a path of return in today's life.

We don't want these crafts to be limited to exhibitions behind glass cabinets, nor do we want them to be just topics of discussion among experts and scholars. We hope that they can enter the lives of modern people, become an aesthetic way, a posture of dialogue with the world, and a profound and peaceful cultural choice.

This is not a simple cultural record, it is a echo of civilization; It's not just a technical explanation, it's a spiritual awakening.

《Author of "Ceramic Ware: Ceramic Rolls》by Liu Xiaoyu

At the end: May you see the gentle China and the poetic life in this series of books

Seeing China is actually a journey of 'seeing oneself'. We see things that are not noisy, but always shine with a faint light in every paint line, every stroke, and every brick and tile. They let us know that in this constantly evolving world, there are some things that do not need to be replaced; Some beauty is worth waiting for.

May you see not only the beauty of objects, but also the beauty of human hearts when flipping through this set of books; Not just an old dream of China, but also the future of China. The foundation of civilization is not splendor, but warmth and empathy. The true cultural inheritance is never shouting loudly, but whispering softly, placing objects in daily life and letting them naturally and vividly live between us.

So, this set of books has truly fulfilled its mission: not to tell you what China is, but to invite you to see for yourself.

《Woodcut Spring and Autumn: Watermark Prints Volume》by Liu Yichun

Introduction

The series of books "Seeing China: Traditional Chinese Handicrafts" has recently been published. It is hosted by Professor Chen Ping, Director of the Cultural Heritage and Creative Industry Research Institute of Jinan University, and edited by Professor Wang Qijun, Wang Xiaoxin, Li Wei, Yang Peizhang, Liu Xiaoyu, and Liu Yichun. With six volumes of exquisite works, it systematically interprets the millennium old technical codes of ceramics, construction, printmaking, metal, lacquer, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. Between the pages, the warmth of the living inheritance of Chinese civilization is fully displayed; Every browsing is a cultural journey of dialogue with history. This series has been selected for the 2024 National Publishing Fund project. Published by China Workers' Publishing House, edited by Meng Yang, Liu Guangtao, and designed by Zhang Zhiqi.

The entire set of books revolves around the core theme of "seeing China". Through detailed research and vivid explanations, it connects the historical origins, technical essence, and cultural connotations of traditional Chinese handicrafts. It is not only a concentrated presentation of excellent traditional Chinese culture, but also a valuable model for the inheritance and research of handicrafts.

Click on the following QR code to purchase books

Selected for the National Publishing Fund in 2024;

Six volume masterpiece of intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship,

Unlock the technical password of Chinese civilization,

Opening it is a cultural dialogue that transcends time and space