Pu Mingcai – Wood Carving Craftsman in Beicheng Town, Yuxi 

Pu Mingcai, born in 1950 in Huaning County (华宁县), Yuxi City, is a representative inheritor of traditional wood carving techniques in Hongta District. Below is a detailed introduction to his life and craft.

Personal Journey

Early Life

• From 1966 to 1969, he learned carpentry from his elder brother.
• In 1969, he enlisted in the military and served for seven years.
• After leaving the army, he continued working as a carpenter and opened his own furniture factory in 1995.

Transition to Wood Carving

• In 1997, at the age of 47, Pu Mingcai decided to shift from furniture-making to wood carving.
• Despite no formal training, he mastered the craft through self-study, driven by passion and his carpentry background.

Recognition as an Inheritor

• In July 2014, his wood carving techniques were officially listed as a district-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) project in Hongta District.

Wood Carving Techniques and Masterpieces

Artistic Features

• Specializes in boxwood, wild red toon, and Indian ebony.
• Skilled in hollow double-sided carving and deep relief carving, with a strong sense of composition and intricate detailing.

Representative Works

Coffin for Master Shi Yongxiu of Lingzhao Temple (灵照寺释永修大师棺木) (2003–2004)

• Dimensions: 340 cm (H) × 140 cm (W) × 20 cm (D), weighing 1,400 kg.
• Features: Four coiling dragons, celestial canopy, and seasonal flowers.

Large Deep Relief Screen “Nine Dragons Playing in Water” (《九龙戏水》) (2008)

• A dynamic masterpiece showcasing lifelike dragons amid waves and clouds.

Qing Dynasty-style Official’s Armchair (清代风格太师椅)

• Hollow double-sided carving of “Hundred Birds Worshipping the Phoenix.”

Wooden Luding Bridge (木制泸定桥) (2022)

• A scaled-down replica (8.2 m long, 2.2 m high/wide) made with traditional mortise-and-tenon joints, taking three years to complete.

Honors and Achievements

Awards

• 2009: Two Dragons Competing for a Pearl (《二龙抢宝》) won the “Outstanding Cultural Work Award” at the Yunnan Provincial Workers’ Talent Expo.
• 2013: Root carving Nine Dragons in the Clouds (《九龙云空》) was exhibited at the Yunnan Migrant Workers’ Cultural Festival.

Cultural Significance

• Pu Mingcai is one of Hongta District’s most comprehensive wood carving artisans.
• His works blend practicality, artistry, and cultural heritage, preserving historical techniques.

Inheritance and Challenges

• His hollow double-sided and deep relief carvings resist mechanized reproduction.
• Currently seeks dedicated apprentices to ensure the survival of these skills.

Distinctive Features of Pu Mingcai’s Works

Unique Carving Techniques

• Hollow double-sided carving: Requires precision to create interconnected patterns on both sides.
• Deep relief carving: Achieves striking three-dimensionality.

Artistic Conception

• Integrates traditional motifs (e.g., dragons, phoenixes, seasonal flowers) with harmonious layouts.

Exquisite Craftsmanship

• Meticulous material selection (hardwoods like boxwood) and refined detailing.

Functional and Decorative

• Furniture pieces (beds, cabinets) combine utility with aesthetic appeal.

Iconic Works

• Highlights include the Lingzhao Temple coffin, Nine Dragons Playing in Water screen, and wooden Luding Bridge.

Pu Mingcai’s wood carvings embody the essence of Yuxi’s traditional artistry, blending technical mastery with cultural storytelling. His legacy is vital to preserving Hongta District’s intangible heritage.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-2699.html