Shangli has been influenced and rendered by Wu Feng and Chu charm since ancient times, and has nurtured a rich traditional culture with local characteristics. Among them, Nuo culture is particularly outstanding and is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Nuo Culture". Nuo temples, Nuo dances, and Nuo masks are all It is called the "Three Treasures" of Nuo culture. During the Spring Festival every year, Nuo dance performances are held locally to pray for good weather and a good harvest in the new year. Nuo dance performances are inseparable from Nuo masks. Nuo masks originated from the early days of primitive society, when they were used for color-painted tattoos and hunting by wearing animal heads and skins. Later, they were gradually used to ward off epidemics, drive away ghosts, celebrate, war and other occasions. It has been passed down for more than three thousand years. Today, we will get to know Long Rudong, an inheritor of Nuo mask carving.
When the reporter met Long Rudong in Wanshi Village, Shangli Town
He was busy carving
The knife in his left hand and the hammer in his right hand
"Dong dong dong"
The wood slowly became lifelike in his hands
Long Rudong introduced
Nuo Masks can be divided into two types according to their functions: for worship, and for dancing.
The one used for worship is larger and thicker.
The one used for dancing is lighter and more flexible. Its materials and carving methods are very particular. When carving, each cut needs to be conceived in advance. Once deviations occur, they are often irreversible.
Long Rudong, the inheritor of Shangli Nuo mask carving: wood carving can only "subtract" but not "add". To carve a bunch of pieces, you need your hands, your brain, and your eyes, and nothing more will do.
The raw material for carving Nuo masks is commonly camphor wood
It is not only a "sacred tree" in the eyes of local people
It is also an excellent production material because of its fine wood and resistance to deformation
its fragrance can also repel insects
it can extend the service life of the mask
Long Rudong told reporters that he has been focusing on Nuo mask carving research for more than 30 years. Among the more than 2,000 Nuo mask works he participated in the development and creation, more than 1,300 pieces are collected in the China Nuo Culture Inheritance and Protection Base and surrounding county and city museums and cultural centers for exhibition; 7 works are collected by the Beijing Military Museum. Long Rudong Studio was also named the Mask Carving Art Research Center of China's Nuo Culture Inheritance and Protection Base in April 2021.
Influenced by Long Rudong
His sons Long Ping and Long Fei
also followed their father to learn art
His elder brother Long Ping was good at the design and drawing of Nuo masks
His younger brother Long Fei was specialized in the engraving of Nuo masks
Long Rudong's son Long Ping: After I came into contact with Nuo masks, I discovered that the characters inside are all heroes of our nation. I want the next generation to know these heroes and worship them, so I chose to engage in Nuo mask carving like my father.
Long Rudong, the inheritor of Shangli Nuo mask carving: This craft of must be passed down from generation to generation. This is a responsibility of us sculptors.
It is the "keeping" artists
like Long Rudong that make our traditional culture
more authentic and charming
and continue to inherit and carry forward
Source: Pingxiang News Media Center
Reporter: Liu Haiyan
Editor: Xu Zhe
Proofreaders: Lu Jiajia, Ning Tiegang, Zhang Cheng
This is Pingxiang
