Luo Aijun - Master of Wamao-making Craft in Heqing County, Dali 

1. Personal Background and Lineage

Luo Aijun (罗爱军), born in 1965 in Xin’an Village, Chenggong County, Kunming, is one of the most important inheritors of the Wamao (瓦猫) making tradition. At the age of 13, influenced by the local kiln master nicknamed “Pan Beiguo,” he began to self-teach the craft. Luo specializes in creating “earthen-pot cats” (土锅瓦猫, also called guanguan mao 罐罐猫), in which cat figures are shaped on top of pottery jars. His works are known for their rustic and simple style, and they became a typical representative of Chenggong Wamao.

As the fourth-generation inheritor of Chenggong Wamao, Luo was recognized as a Folk Arts and Crafts Master by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture in 2002. In 2006, he was listed among the first batch of intangible cultural heritage inheritors of Kunming City.

2. Artistic Characteristics and Influence

• Craft Features: Luo’s Wamao maintain traditional forms and emphasize folk symbolism. A wide mouth signifies “absorbing wealth,” while the rounded head and body reflect the cosmological idea of “the round sky and square earth.” His works are primarily made of clay, available in both glazed versions with a glossy finish and unglazed versions with a plain, rustic charm.

• Cultural Promotion: In 1995, he was invited to demonstrate Wamao-making to American scholars. In 2003, he appeared in the CCTV program Behind the Scenes (走进幕后), where he showcased the production process and cultural meanings of Wamao to a nationwide audience, sparking wide interest.

3. Current Situation and Challenges

• Industry Difficulties: With urbanization advancing, Luo’s kiln was forced to close due to land requisition. Coupled with the shrinking market demand for Wamao, he once had to make a living by running a rice noodle shop. Still, he remained deeply attached to the craft.

• Contribution to Transmission: Despite economic hardships, Luo nurtured new generations of inheritors. His students include Zhang Hang, founder of Xinfang Wamao (心房瓦猫), and his nephew Luo Haoyang, a municipal-level inheritor. By introducing innovative designs and transforming Wamao into cultural and creative products, they have revitalized the tradition and extended its cultural life.

4. Social Evaluation and Heritage Protection

• Intangible Heritage Value: Chenggong Wamao was listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Kunming in 2005, and Luo’s works had already gained recognition earlier. At the 1999 Kunming Ethnic Folk Arts and Crafts Exhibition, his Wamao became a symbolic highlight of local cultural promotion.

• Media Coverage: Local and provincial TV stations have reported on his craft many times. CCTV further elevated his reputation by presenting his Chenggong Wamao side by side with the Zhang family Wamao of Longtoujie, identifying them as the two major schools of Kunming Wamao.

Conclusion

Luo Aijun’s life reflects the struggles and perseverance of traditional craftsmen amid rapid modernization. Although he faced economic pressure and the loss of his kiln, his dedication ensured that the craft was not interrupted. Through his disciples’ innovation and adaptation, Chenggong Wamao evolved into a form of living heritage. Luo’s story stands as a representative case of intangible cultural heritage transmission in Yunnan, balancing preservation and renewal in the face of change.