- Author: Tran Duc Hanh
- Date of participation: August 27, 2024
- Contest entry code: 600038
- Link to contest entries: https://happy.vietnam.vn/contest/gallery-contest-2024/submission/600038
- Work: "THANH LIEU WOODBLOCK - THE JOURNEY TO REVIVE A CRAFT VILLAGE" - Taken at: Hanoi - Unit: Individual
Introduction: The woodblock printing profession in Thanh Lieu village (Tan Hung ward, Hai Duong city) has existed for more than 500 years. Over time, the printing profession here has gradually faded away and now only a few households still maintain the traditional profession. "Thanh Lieu Woodblock - Journey to revive a craft village" is not only a performance topic, introducing the heritage of the craft village, but also a topic of exchange and sharing including practical workshops, discussions, investment connections with many rich activities taking place throughout June in Hanoi by Bach Nghe ward and artisans of Thanh Lieu village. Photo caption: “THANH LIEU WOODBLOCKS – THE JOURNEY TO REVIVE A CRAFT VILLAGE” 1. The artisans shared their dedication to preserving the woodblock printing profession, and organized a number of activities, such as: Photo exhibition about Thanh Lieu woodblocks, hands-on woodblock printing experience, making lotus tea, enjoying ca tru… 2. Sharing at the event, Mr. Nguyen Cong Dat (woodblock carving artisan of Thanh Lieu village) said: “Thanh Lieu woodblocks - The journey to revive a craft village” aims to preserve heritage, and at the same time will create opportunities for development and innovation for Thanh Lieu craft village. We hope that the woodblock craft will continue to develop and be accepted by more people in the future." 3. Woodblock printing paper is Do paper, Xuyen paper rolled with Chinese ink. The craftsman sticks the paper onto the completed engraving and rolls it evenly. At each stage, the craftsman must carefully put all his mind and skill to bring about the result of a clear print that has "resistance" that lasts over time. 4. "Each woodblock, an artisan takes an average of 3 to 5 days to complete. However, there are also woodblocks that take a lot of time, up to several months depending on the length, words, theme, details... There are woodblocks that require letters as small as ants, there are thin details that require skill, experience and a long time to complete", said artisan Nguyen Cong Trang. 5. Thanh Lieu woodblocks are also special in that they are meticulous in each carving, the sharp beveled lines are carved very thinly so when printed on paper, they will have a very unique beauty that modern engraving and printing technologies such as CNC, laser... can hardly achieve. 6. A carving of Duc Tri Quoc Thien Vuong. It is known that these "super detailed" carvings take at least 10 days to half a month to complete cutting each line. 7. People and tourists can experience the practical stages. This is a way for artisans to pass on the passion in preserving and conserving the value of craft villages as well as spreading traditional Vietnamese culture in contemporary life. 8. The public visits and experiences the woodblock printing equipment display. 9. Many sets of scriptures have been engraved and printed here, including the massive "Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu" which was first completely engraved by artisans from Hong Luc village (Thanh Lieu) and Lieu Trang village, following the king's orders, in the 18th year of Chinh Hoa (1697). Currently, the woodblocks are being stored at the National Archives Center IV (Da Lat). 10. Currently, some people have returned to the woodblock printing profession, Thanh Lieu is also a "vocational school" for those who are passionate. However, to become a woodblock printer, one must learn an average of three years of apprenticeship to become a craftsman. The craftsman must know Chinese characters, understand the rules of writing, and recognize reverse printed characters. Because of this difficulty, since ancient times, the woodblock printing profession has been within the family lineage, passed down from father to son.
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Source: https://happy.vietnam.vn/contest/gallery-contest-2024/submission/600038/
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