W110xH150mm, Hong Kong
One of a pair of cards for with the blessing “peace for the 4 seasons“.
Features boys each holding a potted plant, plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum and lotus, the four plants are known as the four season flowers, each representing a season.
Spring – orchid, Summer – lotus, Autumn – chrysanthemum, Winter – plum blossom
The “vase” 瓶 (ping) has the same pronunciation as “peace” 平 (ping); thus symbolizing peace all year round.
W140xD160mm, Hong Kong
A small portfolio decorated with a piece of embroidery filled with blessing symbols.
The cow in the middle of the embroidery is known as a Spring Cow, it is part of the Chinese New Year traditional that has been passed down since 800B.C. The figure of a cow would be made with straws and mud, a day before (Li Chun – the first day of spring in the 24 solar terms) it would be brought to front gate of the town where it would be whipped by all the notable of the town or village. The ritual is believed to wake up the Spring Cow, the passing of the freezing winter, the start of agriculture and the gone with winter ailmnet. With us city dwellers who are far away from the farmland and the fields, the only Spring Cow we will see is perhaps the one printed at the back of the Tung Shing which gives us prediction of the year’s weather. Well, for this year will is suppose to be drought, we seems to be getting a lot of rain so far.
Around the Spring Cow are blessing objects;
@12 o’clock – yellow moon, an object of worship,
@2 o’clock – the double trapezium, Fang Sheng, the hairstyle of the Queen Mother of the West, has the ability to pacify,
@5 o’clock – rhino horn, resembling victory,
@7 o’clock – scroll of books and painting, wisdom
@10 o’clock – the 3 blessed star Fu Lu Shou,
@11 o’clock – in form of a white cloud shape is Ru Yi, “as you wished”.
W320xH240mm, China
There are different new year print for different blessings, for fertility, longevity, health, prosperity, etc. This particular one is for the livestock and the working cart; sitting in the middle the guy with 3 eyes is Hua Guang, one of the 4 Taoist Saints, a powerful warrior against evils. On both sides of him are 2 banners, 牛馬平安 (blessing to the ox and horses), 日進斗金 (daily income of 100g of gold).
W110xH150mm, Hong Kong
A series of paper cutout greeting cards of cats by Mountain Folkcraft.
Here a blue cat in a sitting pose, ever wonder how many ways they can sit?
Have a good weekend and spend some time with the cat!
W15xD24xH42mm, Hong Kong
A paper sculpture of a three dimension impression of a fish swimming downward.
The new issue (issue 8) of Ha Wan Pao is out and is available at Mountain Folkcraft and the following stocklists.
Ha Wan Pao is a monthly paper about people who make beautiful things. whether they’re making comic books, tofu or shoes; what they have in common is the quiet pursuit of excellence.
Ha Wan (下環) is an old name for Wanchai – the Hong Kong neighbourhood where the project was born.
HWP is created by Anna Gleeson with contributions from Furze Chan.
W410xH550mm, China
This is a Wei Fong school wood block print.
The Wei Fong school of the Shan Dong province began in the late Ming dynasty and flourished in the Qing dynasty. Known for the bold composition and the reflection of life with humor. The wooden stencil of this print was carved by the artisan Zhao Lan Peng of the Wei Fong New Year Print Studio in the 80s.
The subject of the print is Guan Yu, the red face general of the 3 Kingdom period. In the novel, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, General Guan took on loyal and fearless character which is worshipped by the police and the triads alike.
W160xH220mm, Japan
This Ukiyo-e print two kōshi-jōro (high ranking courtesan) contemplating on a writing a letter.
Would it be a letter to home, a lover or a desirable client?
The movie Sukuran describes life inside Yoshiwara as a courtesan, the rivalry, survival and love.
LxHmm, China
This Yang Liu Qing wood block print depicts a scene of the Duan Wu Festival where the dragon boat race is taking place. From the costume, it would be a time of the Republic of China period, the cue hairstyle has gone, the appearance of western style hats.
The dragon boat race began as a rescue operation of the respected Qu Yuan who leaped into the river to kill himself. Fisherman gathered ringing gongs to scare the fish away, feeding them zong so they will not harm him. Hundreds of years later, it came a festival that attracted even the Emperors would participate viewing the race.
Today is 5th of lunar May, and you have probably feasted on the traditional dumpling (zong) over the past few days. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will take place on this weekend and this year it have the setting of the Victoria Harbour. Click here for more details.
W100xL300xH300mm, Hong Kong
Inspired by the Han dynasty wooden horse, this white horse is constructed entirely with paper.
Horses were highly priced in the Han dynasty (200 B.C. – 220 A.D.). The use of war chariots started in the Warring State period (450 B.C.) and gradually replaced by cavalry in the Han dynasty. This change was brought about by the discovered of the heavenly horses, a superior breed that is found in the Feghana Basin (today’s Afghanistan). Failing to obtain these horse peacefully, lengthy wars took place; Chang An, the capital of Han, is far far away from Feghana Basin (some 2000km away, that is if we take the plane, and much more by foot). The long journey was exhausting and food soon ran out, by time the Han army reaches the Feghana Basin, the starving troops were defeated even by the smaller war lords. General Li Guang Li, led the remaining of his men back to Chang An. The emperor gave the general a larger army and a large supply of food and sent off again. This time they reach the Dayuan capital, Khujand, with no difficulties. The Han army was no match with the enemy, half the men was killed in the first battle. General Li changed his plan and instead of fighting with the Dayuan, he succeeded in cutting off the water supply to the city. Within the city the nobles revolted against the ruler and offered a tribute of 3000 heavenly horses.
Mountain Folkcraft 