He Zhengwen – Inheritor of Caizha Paper Art in Shangri-la County, Diqing 

Overview of Colorful Paper Art (彩扎)

Colorful Paper Art (彩扎), also known as Paper Sculpture (纸扎) or Silk Sculpture (绸扎), is a traditional Chinese folk craft that creates lifelike art through comprehensive handcraft techniques. In 2008, it was included in China’s second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Originating in the Tang and Song dynasties, artisans use bamboo strips as a framework, combining skillful craftsmanship and creative designs to produce sculptures of animals, famous mountains, ancient temples, and characters from operas. After the Ming and Qing dynasties, the craft flourished across China. Modern Colorful Paper Art (彩扎) has expanded its materials from paper to include clay, wax, enamel, silk, and fabric, enhancing its expressive power.

The craft is divided into two types:

  • “Standing Work” (站活): Large-scale pieces like “Ao Mountain” (鳌山), “Spirit House” (灵厝), and “Colorful Tower” (彩楼).
  • “Sitting Work” (坐活): Delicate works such as famous figures, birds, and beasts.

Artists can create custom pieces based on customer requests, making the craft highly adaptable in both content and scale.

 

Inheritor He Zhengwen

He Zhengwen (和正文), born in 1952 in Gran Village (格兰村), Shangjiang Township (上江乡), Shangri-La City (香格里拉市), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), is an outstanding inheritor of Lisu ethnic Colorful Paper Art (彩扎).

In 1983, he apprenticed under Peng Jinhuai (彭金怀), a local master, to learn the craft of making animal props for the Lisu Rib Dance (肋巴舞), including golden pheasants, white cranes, phoenixes, ponies, and deer. By 1986, when Peng passed away, He Zhengwen had mastered the full production process.

His works are highly realistic and meticulously crafted, earning recognition from the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Museum (迪庆藏族自治州博物馆). Besides crafting props, he is also skilled in performing the Rib Dance (肋巴舞) and has innovated by integrating Golden Pheasant Dance (金鸡舞) and Deer Dance (马鹿舞) into the traditional routine. Under his leadership, the dance troupe has won multiple awards in prefectural and county performances.

Committed to preserving the craft, He Zhengwen has trained a new generation of inheritors, including Jin Weiquan (金卫权), a 27-year-old Lisu (傈僳族) youth. Through his efforts, Colorful Paper Art (彩扎) continues to thrive in Shangjiang Township (上江乡) and has become a vital part of Diqing’s (迪庆) intangible cultural heritage.

Cultural Background

Located in southwestern Shangri-La (香格里拉), Shangjiang Township (上江乡) features diverse terrain and climate, along with rich ethnic culture. Colorful Paper Art (彩扎) is deeply tied to local rituals, festivals, and folk activities, evolving into a significant cultural symbol through continuous innovation.

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