In Pics: Wood carving inheritor in SE China’s Jiangxi

Photo taken on March 18 shows the wooden carving of the Emperor’s Hunting that took Yu Youhong three years to complete. (Photo/xinhua)

From southeast China's Jiangxi province, the “Three Carvings in Wuyuan” made up of carvings on wood, brick, and stone, is listed as one of China’s national intangible cultural heritages. These carvings are made with sophisticated materials and imaginative design, displaying the features of the local culture.

Yu Youhong, a national-level wood carving inheritor, started to learn the handicraft when he was 16 years old. It only took him five years to master all the basic carving techniques.

His fine workmanship is visible in the Emperor’s Hunting, a creation that includes 50 figures and more than 30 birds, carved on a piece of wood less than 0.1 square meters in size.

Apart from carving, Yu is also a protector and restorer of ancient buildings in his hometown. So far, the master and his apprentices have repaired over 100 wooden buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasty.

“Traditional handicrafts should be passed on from generation to generation. We hope to restore the past glory of these ancient buildings,” Yu said.