Hangzhou, Oct. 30, China News Network: Zhejiang Culture Observation: What's the significance of traditional block printing today?

     Reporter Wang Titi

     Recently, the "Thousand Years of Song Dynasty Charm Made in Chu, Mo and Zhejiang - Zhejiang Papermaking and Printing Inheritance Seminar in Song Dynasty" was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Inheritors of traditional paper making and printing techniques from all over Zhejiang and experts from relevant industries gathered here to discuss the integration and development of traditional paper making and printing techniques in the future.

     The event also exhibited more than 30 pieces of woodblock printing works created by Huang Xiaojian, a representative inheritor of national intangible cultural heritage (Hangzhou woodblock printing technology) in different ages. Among them, there are the complete works of the reprint of the sole copy of "A Sketch of Lake and Mountain" handed down from generation to generation in the Ming Dynasty, as well as the color separation diagram, step diagram and partial diagram, as well as the actual samples of the engraving for visitors to appreciate and understand the engraving printing, an intangible cultural heritage that has been passed down for thousands of years.

     It is reported that China's printing, papermaking and other ancient major technological innovations have had an incalculable impact on the development of human civilization, and this impact has continued to this day. Zhejiang is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, and has been the main production area of these two skills since ancient times.

     Hangzhou woodblock printing technology is famous for its excellent engraving in history. In the Wu and Yue States of the Five Dynasties, the exquisite Sutra of the Thunder Peak Pagoda and the Toroni has been carved and printed in Hangzhou. After the Southern Song Dynasty moved its capital to Lin'an, the engraving industry became more and more prosperous. Around the Royal Street in Hangzhou, there were a large number of bookstores, classics shops, and paper shops at that time, operating various kinds of processed paper, books, and printed products. By the Ming Dynasty, the Song Dynasty edition printed in Hangzhou had become a priceless page, and now it is even more difficult to find a priceless page.

     In addition to creating a large number of precious woodblock printing works in history and playing an important role in the communication of words, what is the significance of traditional woodblock printing today?

     In Huang Xiaojian's opinion, the traditional woodblock printing technology has been passed down to this day, on the one hand, it can be used to reproduce precious woodblock printing works in history. For example, on the display that day, a reprint of the Ming Dynasty's handed down version, "A Sketch of the Scenery of Lake and Mountain", was presented.

      He said that this is the pinnacle of the traditional block printing technology and the essence. But such fine products have disappeared in China, which is a pity. Therefore, as the inheritor of this skill, I have the responsibility to reproduce it to let more people know that there is such a history.

     On the other hand, Huang Xiaojian believes that the traditional woodblock printing is a kind of spirit conveyed by this skill, that is, the spirit of traditional craftsmen in pursuit of perfection and transcendence.

     He said that the craftsmanship spirit of these traditional handicrafts is an encouragement, a spur and a positive force for today's people, which are very important.

      Wang Qiquan, a professor of China Academy of Fine Arts and a national/Zhejiang province intangible cultural heritage protection and warehousing expert, believes that traditional block printing still has important contemporary value and has achieved innovative development.

     In his opinion, traditional woodblock printing, as an excellent traditional culture, has profound connotation. Under the background of strengthening the protection of cultural relics and cultural heritage, the confidence and determination of people to "promote cultural self-confidence and self-improvement, and create a new brilliance of socialist culture" has been conveyed by taking the protection of traditional woodblock printing techniques as the carrier. In terms of inheritance, the traditional woodblock printing has been inherited to this day, not only the technology itself, but also the woodblock printing culture.

      In addition, he believes that the contemporary value of traditional woodblock printing is also reflected in the popularization of intangible cultural heritage knowledge, promoting the implementation of social aesthetic education, and contributing to the telling of Chinese stories.

      In order to make the traditional woodblock printing more brilliant in the long history, Wang Qiquan suggested that the inheritors and relevant experts of traditional paper making and printing techniques should continue to make efforts in innovation and development, especially in the aspects of "reproduction of classics", "reconstruction of teams" and "re creation of brilliance". For example, by virtue of the power of the communication platform, the reproduced classic works can be widely disseminated; For another example, depending on the experience and influence of the representative inheritors of the woodblock printing technology, give play to the backbone of the team. In this way, with the expansion of the inheritance of the woodblock printing technology and the improvement of the inheritance practice ability, the woodblock printing will be better.

Source: China News Network