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Lacquer thread carving experience
After laying the gold foil, we went to the studio on the other side of Master A-fa’s shop, where the large statue of the god that Master A-fa was making for the temple was displayed, which was even more magnificent. In the studio, Master A-fa taught Miss Ally and us the most exquisite skill of the Quanzhou Sect─lacquer thread carving. The gray lacquer thread soil felt a bit like clay but seemed to be more malleable. Master A-fa teaches us how to use tools to roll lacquer thread soil into long, thin, and even strips, just like threads. Although this step was a bit difficult, we did it slowly and felt quite accomplished when watching the thin threads appearing in our hands. However, Master A-fa said that apprentices in statue sprucing cannot work so slowly. When he was an apprentice, he often had to pull the lacquer thread for three or four masters at the same time, so there was certainly a speed requirement.
After completing the production of the lacquer threads, Master A-fa gave us the choice of using his traditional mythological animal drawing board or creating our own pattern for pulling lacquer threads. We used lacquer thread as a pen on the blank cardboard to draw the desired pattern. The patterns of traditional gods or totems are usually quite complicated and detailed. Therefore, we had to exercise great patience when pulling the lacquer threads. If the thread was accidentally broken or placed crookedly, we would regret. After starting the steps of pulling lacquer threads, everyone immersed themselves in the creation of their own lacquer threads, and suddenly the silence dominated studio.
Master A-fa patiently guided us on the lacquer thread carving skill.
It was difficult just to create thin threads!
This step seemed simple, but it required a lot of patience and concentration.
Everyone was concentrating on pulling the lacquer threads.
We took a photo with Miss Ally and Master A-fa in memory of the video shooting
