Li Xuezhang - Artisan of Folk Zhizha Paper Art in Jingdong County, Puer 

Li Xuezhang: A Master of Paper Effigy Craft and Inheritor of Jingdong’s Cultural Heritage

Basic Background and Learning Journey

​​Li Xuezhang (李学章)​​, a ​​Han Chinese male (汉族男性)​​ born in ​​1967 (1967年)​​ in ​​Yingpan Village, Huashan Township, Jingdong County, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province (云南省普洱市景东县花山乡营盘村)​​, is a ​​second batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage representative inheritor (第二批省级非物质文化遗产代表性传承人)​​ (recognized in 2002) for ​​traditional paper effigy craftsmanship (民间纸扎技艺)​​. A lifelong paper artist, he has mastered the creation of ritual and festive paper crafts—including horse lanterns, flower lanterns, and symbolic effigies—since age 16, when he began learning from his grandfather. For over five decades, he has crafted thousands of pieces, from ceremonial structures to daily-use baskets, earning acclaim for preserving Jingdong’s paper effigy tradition. His 1995 works for Jingdong’s 10th anniversary celebration were televised locally, and multiple pieces have won county-level awards. Known as a "paper effigy master," he sustains this ancient craft through dedication and innovation.

Learning Journey: A Family Legacy of Paper Art

Li’s connection to paper effigy making is deeply rooted in family tradition:

• ​​Childhood (童年时期)​​: Born into a paper artist family, he was immersed in the craft from birth, surrounded by bamboo frames, rice paper, and the scent of dye—igniting his early fascination.
• ​​Adolescence (青少年时期)​​: At 16, his grandfather formally initiated him into the trade, transmitting skills honed over decades. This "grandfather-to-grandson"lineage embodies the intimate, hands-on nature of traditional Chinese craft inheritance.
• ​​Adulthood (成年时期)​​: After years of practice, he took over his grandfather’s workshop, becoming the primary paper artist in the village. His mastery of design, framing, and decoration marked his rise as a local legend.

Artistic Characteristics and Representative Works

Technical Mastery: Precision and Creativity

Li’s craft is defined by meticulous skill and reverence for tradition:

1. ​​Material Selection​​: He sources premium local materials—bamboo strips (for flexibility), rice paper (for translucence), and natural pigments (for vibrant, lasting color).
2. ​​Full Craftsmanship​​: Proficient in every stage, from design to assembly, he employs techniques like:
   • ​​Framing​​: Weaving bamboo into sturdy skeletons using "four-before-four-after"principles (prioritizing load-bearing strips, then structural ones).
   • ​​Decoration​​: Blending zha(binding), jian(cutting), tie(pasting), and hui(painting) to create intricate details.
   • ​​Finishing​​: Applying阻燃 treatments (like vanadium water) and partial镂空 (hollowing) to enhance durability and visual appeal.
3. ​​Stylistic Fusion​​: Merging the delicate elegance of Southern Chinese paper crafts with local ethnic motifs, his works balance tradition and regional identity.

Representative Works: From Ritual to Daily Life

Li’s creations serve both spiritual and practical roles:

Cultural Contributions to Jingdong and Pu’er

Safeguarding a Centuries-Old Tradition

As a provincial inheritor, Li preserves Jingdong’s paper effigy craft—a practice with roots in Han Dynasty Buddhist rituals and evolved through local folk culture. His workshop, a living archive, hosts informal workshops where he teaches framing, painting, and assembly, ensuring the art’s survival.

Weaving Identity and Community

• ​​Cultural Pride​​: His works, displayed at festivals and ancestral rites, reinforce Jingdong’s unique cultural identity. Villagers remark, "His effigies make our traditions feel alive."
• ​​Economic Support​​: Selling crafts locally and through cultural events provides steady income, inspiring younger villagers to explore the craft.

Educating Through Practice

While formal apprenticeships are rare (a hallmark of family traditions), Li engages youth indirectly:

• ​​Public Demonstrations​​: At county events, he showcases framing and painting, sparking curiosity in younger generations.
• ​​Media Exposure​​: His 1995 televised works introduced paper effigy craft to broader audiences, fostering local cultural pride.

Cultural Context of Paper Effigy Craft in Jingdong

Roots in History and Folklore

Jingdong’s paper effigy tradition dates to ancient China, evolving from Buddhist mortuary rites to a cornerstone of local folk culture:

• ​​History​​: By the Tang-Song dynasties, paper effigies were integral to rituals; by Ming-Qing, they flourished in festivals and daily life.
• ​​Status​​: Recognized as part of Yunnan’s intangible heritage, Jingdong’s paper craft reflects the region’s multicultural tapestry.

More Than Craft

Paper effigies are cultural glue:

• ​​Ritual Significance​​: Used in funerals and ancestor worship, they honor the deceased and connect the living to heritage.
• ​​Artistic Expression​​: Blending realism (e.g., lifelike animals) with symbolism (e.g., 12 flower lanterns representing months), they embody local aesthetics.
• ​​Community Cohesion​​: Shared participation in crafting and using effigies strengthens social bonds.

Current Challenges and Preservation

Challenges

• ​​Aging Artisans​​: Few young people master the craft’s complexity.
• ​​Market Pressures​​: Machine-made alternatives undercut handmade quality.

Protective Efforts

• ​​Policy Support​​: Li is a provincial inheritor; his work is in ​​Pu’er’s Intangible Heritage Catalog​​.
• ​​Tourism Integration​​: "Non-heritage + tourism" initiatives (e.g., festival exhibitions) boost visibility.
• ​​E-Commerce​​: Platforms like Douyin promote direct sales, sustaining artisans.

Conclusion

Li Xuezhang is more than a paper artist—he is a ​​guardian of Jingdong’s soul (景东文化的精神守护者)​​. His hands, calloused by decades of weaving bamboo and painting paper, have transformed humble materials into cultural treasures. As a provincial inheritor, he proves tradition thrives when shared—ensuring Jingdong’s paper effigy legacy will endure for generations.To learn more, contact the ​​Jingdong County Culture and Tourism Bureau (景东县文化和旅游局)​​ or visit Yingpan Village to witness Li’s craft and the living heritage of paper effigy making.