The local skill of making Lu'an inkpads has been listed as part
of the nation's intangible cultural heritage.
The Lu'an inkpad, used to impress a stamp or seal, was invented
by Zhang Lu'an at the end of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It quickly
gained a reputation for reproducing bright colors that resisted
fading.
"In most people's opinions, an inkpad is just a tool used to
impress a stamp," said Ma, an official of the Jing'an District
Culture and History Bureau.
"However, according to traditional Chinese culture, the quality
of an inkpad directly influences the quality of an artwork."
Many famous painters and calligraphers, including Wu Hufan and
He Tianjian, used the Lu'an inkpad because it won't spoil in summer
or turn hard in winter.
Young craftsmen use
traditional methods to make Lu'an inkpads. (photo: Shanghai
Daily)
Because of this, use of the Lu'an inkpad has become one of the
most important methods used by the Shanghai Cultural Relics
Management Commission and the Shanghai Museum to identify art
masterpieces. Ma said that making a Lu'an inkpad was a complex
affair. It required more than 50 ingredients and special procedures
to ensure its color stayed bright.
"All the procedures should be made by hand instead of on an
assembly line, because the chemicals of a metal machine would
affect the inkpad's color after being mixed with its special
materials," Ma said.
There are only two surviving students of Zhang Lu'an-Gao
Shixiong and Fu Jiliang-and both are over 80.
They have donated the secret method for making the Lu'an inkpad
to the country, according to the Jing'an District Culture and
History Bureau.
"The Lu'an inkpad was listed among the first batch of intangible
cultural heritage skills in Shanghai," said Yang Jiguang, head of
the bureau.
"It's good for the inkpad to be recognized as one of the
national treasures."
The bureau plans to nurture young successors to the aging
masters and it will be holding training classes and establishing an
exhibition hall.
(Shanghai Daily February 20, 2008)
