Li Renhan - Inheritor of Caizha Paper Art in Heqing County, Dali

Overview
Li Renhan (李忍汉, b. 1932), a Bai ethnic folk artist from Yunhe Town, Heqing County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan, is a provincial-level representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage (second batch). Renowned for his mastery of Cai Zha (colored bamboo-framed paper craft) and Miansu (dough modeling), he is widely recognized as one of Heqing’s greatest “Zha Cai masters.” His works are characterized by concise yet powerful forms, bright colors, and bold, unrestrained beauty, making them a distinctive branch of Yunnan’s traditional handicrafts.

Personal Background

• Name: Li Renhan (李忍汉)

• Ethnicity: Bai

• Birth: 1932, Yunhe Town, Heqing County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan

• Expertise: Cai Zha (彩扎), Miansu (面塑), painting

• Title: Provincial Representative Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Growing up in Heqing, a major cultural town along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Li was deeply influenced by its rich cultural environment. Heqing has long been a center of craftsmanship, famous for its silverware, copperware, wa mao clay cats, qian jiu liquor, pig liver zha delicacy, and handmade white paper. This fertile cultural soil nurtured his artistic growth.

Learning Journey

Li’s artistic development reflects the traditional folk model of “self-study combined with guidance and practice.”

• Early Influence: Taught painting by his aunt, laying his creative foundation.

• Mentorship: Received instruction from local painting masters.

• Teaching Practice: While in middle school, also worked as an art teacher at Hexiang Primary School, refining his skills through teaching.

• Multifaceted Learning: Inspired by local embroidery, while also studying bamboo frame making, paper mounting, and dough modeling.

• Growing Reputation: His diligence and talent quickly earned him recognition in Heqing’s folk art scene.

Artistic Characteristics

His works stand apart from those of the Zhang brothers of the Qing dynasty, who favored exaggerated forms and lavish colors. Li’s art embodies restraint, clarity, and expressive force.

Heqing Cai Zha: Craft Overview

1. Materials

• Bamboo (3+ years old, harvested in July, pest-resistant)

• Hemp fiber for binding

• Colored paper or silk for covering

• Pigments, paper flowers, tassels, embroidered balls for decoration

2. Process

1. Frame Construction: Bamboo strips shaped into skeletons, often fire-bent.

2. Reinforcement: Hemp bindings at joints for stability.

3. Mounting: Covering with paper or silk, smooth and bubble-free.

4. Painting: Bold, colorful motifs painted on surfaces.

5. Decoration: Paper flowers, tassels, and other accents added.

3. Functions

• Funerary Use (冥品): Paper figures, horses, houses for rituals.

• Ritual Use (神品): Sacred figures and offerings.

• Post-1949 Development: Expanded into cultural performance props—dragons, lions, phoenixes, qilin lanterns—giving Cai Zha new vitality.

Contribution and Legacy

• Official Recognition: Designated a provincial-level intangible heritage inheritor in the early 2000s.

• Standing: Considered alongside masters like Zhang Xiantian brothers (Qing dynasty), Zou Jinyu and Zhao Quan (Republican era).

• Influence: His personal style significantly shaped the evolution of Heqing Cai Zha.

Transmission:

• Likely trained apprentices through oral teaching and hands-on practice.

• Family transmission may have played a role.

• While specific disciples are undocumented, his legacy aligns with the traditional master–apprentice model.

Contributions:

1. Preserved and revitalized Heqing Cai Zha.

2. Developed an identifiable personal style.

3. Cultivated local talent.

4. Promoted Heqing’s folk art beyond its borders.

Cultural Context of Heqing Cai Zha

• History: Dates back over 1,000 years, with roots in the Nanzhao period (Tang–Song). Flourished in the Ming–Qing eras alongside Heqing’s handicraft industries.

• Value: Serves as a folk ritual medium, artistic expression, and cultural bridge between Bai, Han, and Tibetan traditions.

• Modern Protection:

  • Heqing County currently protects 26 intangible cultural heritage items with 242 representative inheritors (as of 2024).

  • Challenges include generational gaps and modernization.

  • New approaches: “Intangible heritage + design,” “heritage + tourism,” “heritage + revitalization.”

Conclusion

Li Renhan is not only a skilled craftsman, but also a cultural guardian. His Cai Zha works, marked by clarity, brightness, and bold expressiveness, embody the artistic soul of Heqing folk traditions. Through his dedication, he ensured the survival and renewal of this craft, making Heqing Cai Zha a living art form that continues to enrich both local identity and Yunnan’s cultural heritage.