Craftsmen from E. China's Shandong Linyi pass down traditional printed and dyed fabric technique to younger generations

Photo shows the printed and dyed fabric artwork.

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Recently, students from Shandong University of Arts visited Zhang's printed and dyed fabric workshop located in Hedong District of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province, and learned traditional printed and dyed fabric technique.

Zhang Jizhong, the seventh-generation inheritor of Yimeng printed and dyed fabric, introduced the production process and usage of the fabric during the visit.

According to Zhang, the printed and dyed fabric is an ancient Chinese handicraft with distinctive folk art styles, which was originated in Qin and Han dynasties and flourished in Tang and Song dynasties, and became popular in Linyi during Ming, Qing, and Republican eras.

In the past, the printed and dyed fabric was mainly used for wedding packaging items for women in rural areas, featuring elements such as peonies, phoenixes, and lotus flowers that symbolize wealth and prosperity.

As time passing by, the printed and dyed fabric has gradually withdrawn from practical use and the elderly artists who specialize in this craft have passed away or are no longer engaged in it, resulting in the gradual disappearance of this technique. Subsequently, it has evolved into an important cultural heritage item.

It is learned that Zhang Mingjian, father of Zhang Jizhong and the sixth-generation inheritor of Yimeng printed and dyed fabric, is currently the only folk artist in China who is capable of independently completing all production processes of printed and dyed fabric from plate-making, color matching and dyeing.

In Linyi's printed and dyed fabric exhibition hall, more than 300 pieces of artworks created by Zhang Mingjian are showed, with wide range of themes, and rich local characteristics and folk customs.

Both Zhang Mingjian and Zhang Jizhong hope that, through exchanges with younger generations and exhibitions, they can protect and pass down the traditional technique, attracting more people to enjoy this folk art. (Edited by Jiang Feifan with Xinhua Silk Road, 346129473@qq.com)