YUEYANG, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Yuezhou fan dates back to the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The fan, having a history of about 400 years, is one of the most famous fans in China for its delicacy. Using fine bamboo as its framework, ox horn as the nail, and Xuan paper as the cover, the fan goes through 72 complicated procedures before done, while the making of framework requires most exquisite and skillful work. The craft of making Yuezhou fan was listed in the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritages in 2021.
Liu Zhengwen, 70 years old, a provincial intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Yuezhou fan, has been engaged in the craft for 56 years. Enrolled into a Yueyang fan making factory in the 1970s, Liu witnessed himself the declining of the fan factory with the popularity of electric fans and air conditioners. After the closing of the factory, he set up a studio called "Baling fan studio" with his family and colleagues.
Nowadays, Yuezhou fan craft faces the problem of inheriting, the same as other traditional crafts. Acknowledging the challenge, Liu cultivates his own son and daughter on the craft, with his son making the fans and daughter designing the patterns. "Although less people need to use Yuezhou fan in daily life, the arts value and collection value of it are eternal," said Liu Zhengwen.
Yuezhou fans are displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Yuezhou fans are displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen checks the growth of bamboo at a bamboo forest in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A Yuezhou fan is displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen takes tools to make Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A fan covering is seen at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Processed bamboo strips are seen at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen makes Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A painter draws patterns on a fan at the Yueyang tower scenic spot in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen drills holes to make Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A Yuezhou fan is displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen drills holes to make Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen dips bamboo for making Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Yuezhou fans are displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen makes Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen makes Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen makes Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen (R) and his son cut the fan cover at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A Yuezhou fan is displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Liu Zhengwen makes Yuezhou fan at his "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
A Yuezhou fan is displayed at Liu Zhengwen's "Baling fan studio" in Yueyang City, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)
Producers: Wang Jianhua
Planners: Zhu Weixi, Wang Haijing, Wang Qingqin, Yuan Ruting
Journalist: Chen Sihan, Cheng Jian
Editors: Zhu Weixi, Zhang Xinjing, Zhang Yudong, Wang Haijing
Video Editors: Tian Weiwei
