The sixth batch of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) custodians was recently designated by the culture and tourism authority of Gongshu District, with three master artisans from Mishixiang - Sun Jia, He Fengzhu, and Yu Zeying - making the list. They earned this distinction for their exceptional craftsmanship.
In Mishixiang, these time-honored skills are more than artistic. They bear family values. The local CPC Discipline Inspection Office, together with the Culture Center, has tried to bring to life such legacies by uncovering stories of ICH masters, like Gao Xuemei, Lv Gensheng, and Yu Zeying. These stories are all about workmanship and integrity.
Yu Zeying is a true master of the mounting and conservation of old Chinese paintings. She would rather scrap months of painstaking work on restoring an ancient artwork if a barely visible flaw in the process was spotted - there’s no room for errors in her eyes. The relentlessness stems from her demanding mentor and was even tempered by her family. Now, she pays it forward. Both her skills and the ethos are passed down through free workshops - with a value that requires them to stay fresh in mind.
There is also a showcase of heritage artworks standing for integrity. For instance, a Party flag of Gao Xuemei’s, all made of vermilion beads, bears an implied meaning of “lifetime uprightness”; Zhao Meina’s paper cutout, named “Lotus of Purity,” encodes a call for integrity with its unblemished petals .
“We want more people to find strengths in these stories and works,” said a source from Mishixiang Disciplinary Inspection Office. “Cultural heritage helps keep good value for a family and keeps everyone stay upright and true.”