Suzhou-style Embroidery

Suzhou-style embroidery is an admirable skill representing the progress of Chinese traditional craftsmanship. It is an important expression of handicraft art in the history of Chinese fine arts and folklore. In 2006, Suzhou-style embroidery was proclaimed as an entry to China’s first national list of intangible cultural heritage."Pingjiang Painting", drawn in 1229 (Southern Song Dynasty), depicts the prosperity of embroideryindustry in Suzhou. At that time, Suzhou was an     

Suzhou-style Embroidery Fascinates Foreign Diplomats

<正>On November 28, 2012, the 5th China Embroidery Festival opened in Zhenhui, a lakeside town in Suzhou which is hailed as the "hometown of Chinese embroidery"....     

Refined and Elegant： Masterpieces of Suzhou-style Embroidery

＂Birds Perching at Winter Sweet＂ is an exquisite embroidery work, The work features a vigorous and straight trunk of the winter sweet, shone by plum blossoms and with a pair of birds perching at the branches. The embroidered work was based on one of the ink paintings by Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty [960-1127] which is now collected in the Palace Museum in Taipei. The emperor is an accomplished artist skilled in painting and calligraphy.     

History of Suzhou Embroidery

With great eagerness, I was led by Ms. Sun, a senior embroiderer, into the Ancient Embroidery Workshop where Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute is based. All of sudden I was fascinated by the dazzling array of embroidery works of past dynasties like laceworks, dress collars and dragon-patterned gowns. All these embroidery exhibits date back to hundreds of years but still look sleek and shining today. The exquisite embroidery silk fabrics triggered out my curiosity for the history of Suzhou embroidery art.     

Master Artists of Suzhou Embroidery

My curiosity about three master artists of Suzhou embroidery, Shen Shou, Yang Shouyu and Ren Huixian, were satisfied in the library of Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute. Publications and references reviewed these master artists＇ remarkable accomplishments in the art of Suzhou embroidery.     

Stitching Skills of Suzhou Embroidery

Suzhou-style embroidery is known as the most famous of the four major embroidery styles of China. Over the sweep of history, thisembroidery genre has been nurtured in the context of cultural richness in waterside towns of southeast China and continued to evolve thanks to sldll perfection by generations of female embroiderers. Time-honored cultural traditions developed by scholars, poets and painters have enriched aesthetics, craftsmanship and coloring of the embroidery genre, endowing it with unique characteristics and enduring artistic appeals and helping to bring it with worldwide reputation.     

描龙绣凤美在民间--灵宝民间刺绣

宋绣的深远影响刺绣,是用多彩的丝线、绒线、棉线或金银线等,在绸缎、布帛等纺织品上,穿针引线,绣出各种人物、纹饰、花鸟鱼虫等,史书称这种工艺为刺绣,民间称“绣花”,也叫“扎花”。相传刺绣始于舜。周代已有“画绣之工共其职也”的说法。又据《尚书》载:“衣画而裳绣。”《诗经》中就多次提到过服饰、刺绣的色彩。目前,人们所能见到的我国最早的刺绣实物是1958年在湖南长沙楚墓中出土的春秋时代的绣品,它是在细密的丝绢上,绣出龙凤纹饰,绣工的绝妙令人赞叹。1972年,在长沙马王堆的西汉古墓中,又出土了40件绣衣和一幅装饰内棺的铺绒绣锦,其图案纹饰之优美,针法之精妙,更是无与伦比。     

“货郎儿”、“货郎鼓”及《货郎图》

所谓“货郎儿”，就是旧时挑担、推车或背箱儿、背包袱，在城乡流动出售日用杂货的小商贩。时下，这种商贩早已被各种商店或摊贩所取代，“货郎儿”已经成了人们记忆中那种消逝了的传统职业，一种商业民俗事象。     

Embroidery Innovation Draws Inspirations from Artists and Scientists

In 2004 a forum on the innovation of Suzhou-style embroidery was held in the city of Suzhou, attracting some 50 celebrated artists, scientists and scholars from home and abroad. Nobel Laureate and famous physicist Tsung-Dao Lee delivered an important presentation as the forum＇s honorary president, noting that ＂Culture will not sustain without innovation. Suzhou-style embroidery will see infinite vitality by making innovative breakthroughs＂. His speech triggered intensive discussions among participants and enormous comments online. The forum has had continued impacts on the development of Suzhou-style embroidery in the new century.     

Suzhou-Style Embroidery：Appreciation,Collection and Investment

Suzhou-style embroidery is originated and developed in the southeast city of Suzhou, a historical town abundant in silk and rich in cultural traditions. Inscribed in the national intangible cultural heritage list, it is well known for its long history artistic richness, superb skills and delicate workmanship.     

China Embroidery Festival Opens in Suzhou

<正>The 4th China Embroidery Festival opened in Zhenhu Town,Suzhou City,Southeast Jiangsu Province on November 5,2011.This annual event features the theme of "ap...     

青街

青街在浙江温州地区平阳县南雁荡山的腹地。平阳自古就流传“青街竹，顺溪屋”的俗语，青街的竹子的确不少，满山青青的修竹随风飘逸。一条清澈的小溪从青街乡贯穿而过，溪的南岸是长达200米青石铺就的古街，街的两边是商铺。古街呈弧线状，部分面溪见山。古街的尽头是一座精致小巧的廊桥，名叫“睦源桥”。廊桥始建于宋，清道光年间重建。桥边有两棵老树，村里人称为“樟抱梅”，古桥配上古树，俨然一幅古画。     

Historic County of Yuxian

County has played an important role in the history of China since it was first established as a basic administrative unit in the Qin Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago. Historic counties have not only performed administrative and economic functions but also carried and preserved basic information about culture and traditions of China. Not long ago, the Photographic Exhibition on the Cultural Heritage of Historic Counties of China, organized by China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation in partnership with the Palace Museum and China Institute of Toponymy, was held at     

Historic Archways of Ningbo

<正>Ningbo is a seaside city in east China’s Zhejiang province.Over the sweep of history,numerous archways have been built and preserved, constituting a unique u...     

Historic Town of Xuanhua

Driving northwestward from Beijing and after crossing over the Great Wall at Badaling Pass, you will soon arrive at Xuanhua, a historic town nestling in a valley in the eastern part of Yinshan Mountain Range in the northeast of Hebei Province.[第一段]     

Historic City of Suizhou

The historic city of Suizhou, located in the northern part of Hubei Province, has been well known in recent years,because it has been recognized as the birthplace oftheYan Emperor, a legendary figure ancestral to Chinese culture and people, and sets of bronze chime bells of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State were unearthed here. With these unique heritage legacies, this historic city has attracted more and more visitors from home and abroad.     

Historic Scenes in Yangzhou

The Slim West Lake is a national-level scenic resort in the historical city of Yangzhou.The garden in the lake area was built during the reign of Qing-Dynasty emperors Kangxi and Qianlong.It integrates the delicate beauty of south China with the vigorous grandeur of north China,featuring willow trees and towers and terraces along the lake dyke.Major scenic sports around the Slim West Lake include rockeries     

Zanhuang County:Historic Temples and Steles

County has played an important role in the history of China since it was first established as a basic administrative unit in the Qin Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. Historic counties have not only performed administrative and economic functions but also carried and preserved basic information about culture and traditions of China. Not long ago, the Photographic Exhibition on the Cultural Heritage of Historic Counties of China, organized by China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation in partnership with the Palace Museum and China Institute of Toponymy, was held at the Forbidden City, displaying photographs on the cultures and traditions of the first 16 Historic Counties of China, with an objective to enhance the public’s awareness of the conservation of cultural heritage in these historic counties. Our magazine will cover each of these chosen historic counties in each issue.     

Zunhua : a Historic County

County has played an important role in the history of China since it was first established as a basic administrative unit in the Qin Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. Historic counties have not only performed administrative and economic functions but also carried and preserved basic information about culture and traditions of China. Not long ago, the Photographic Exhibition on the Cultural Heritage of Historic Counties of China, organized by China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation in partnership with th...