Craftswoman in China's Shanxi passes on leather carving

Li Jinyun, the fourth-generation inheritor of handmade leather art, an intangible cultural heritage in Datong city, north China's Shanxi Province, has been in the trade for many years.

Li, 35, began to learn leather carving from her grandfather, a leather carving craftsman, when she was 13 years old and began working in the craft at the age of 18.

Li Jinyun works on a leather carving work. (Photo/Zhang Yuanyuan)

The traditional craft involves several steps, including the selection of leather materials, drawing patterns, carving, and coloring. Among all the steps, the selection of leather materials is particularly important as it affects the procedures that follow, Li said, adding that vegetable-tanned leather is an ideal option for leather carving artists.

Li explains that the complex leather carving techniques require an artist's hands to be steady to ensure the quality of a carving work.

The main tools used for leather carving include gravers and nylon hammers. In addition, Li has created some special tools for other purposes such as carving decorative patterns.

Photo shows Li Jinyun's workbench.  (Photo/Zhang Yuanyuan)

Li is currently producing a life-size leather carving replica of the famous Nine-Dragon Wall, a cultural relic in Datong city. She explained that the replica will be 8 meters in length and will take her at least half a year to complete.

So far, Li has trained 13 apprentices. She has made more efforts to pass down the traditional craft, as an increasing number of young people have become familiar with Datong leather carving in recent years thanks to the continuous development of the Internet and activities promoting intangible cultural heritage at schools.

Li Jinyun works on a leather carving work. (Photo/Zhang Yuanyuan)

"I try to integrate leather carving with some cultural elements and other handicrafts including Suzhou embroidery works, jades and silver ornaments," Li said, hoping to have more people, including foreigners, get to know about the traditional craft.

Photo shows a piece of leather carving work produced by Li Jinyun.  (Photo/Zhang Yuanyuan)