Losang Zhaxi (洛桑扎西) is a Tibetan folk craftsman from Yangla Township (羊拉乡) in Deqin County (德钦县) and the 14th-generation inheritor of a family lineage of metal craftsmanship. Born in 1963 in Yangla Township (羊拉乡), Deqin County (德钦县), he began learning metalworking techniques from his father and uncle at a young age. As an adult, he furthered his studies in Lhasa (拉萨) and Chamdo (昌都), mastering both the design and processing techniques of metal craftsmanship.
Inheritance and Innovation Measures
Preservation of Traditional Techniques
Losang Zhaxi inherited his family’s traditional metal casting techniques, including copper gilding, copper carving, and Buddhist statue design. He continues to use traditional lost-wax casting methods involving clay molds, sheep fat, pine resin, and beeswax. The gilded products made using these techniques can retain their color for centuries.
Integration of Modern Design
While preserving traditional techniques, he has incorporated modern design concepts to align his works with contemporary aesthetics. His creations now extend beyond traditional ethnic ornaments and religious ritual tools to include tourist souvenirs and handicrafts such as animal sculptures and ethnic musical instruments.
Promoting Industrial Development
In 1993, Losang Zhaxi became the director of the Deqin County Ethnic Silverware Factory (德钦县民族银制品厂). He integrated traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and developed over 1,500 types of ethnic goods, religious items, and tourism products. In 1998, he transformed the factory into a private enterprise named Deqin County Ethnic Products Development Co., Ltd. (德钦县民族用品开发有限责任公司), further advancing the industry’s development.
Training the Next Generation
Losang Zhaxi is committed to cultivating young inheritors, with over 20 apprentices currently under his guidance. He also participates in various workshops and international exchange events to continuously improve his skills.
Representative Works and Achievements
“Kawagebo” Buddha Statue
Losang Zhaxi’s “Kawagebo” Buddha statue was presented as a national gift to the Mountaineering Society of Kyoto University (日本京都大学山岳学士会). The work received the Outstanding Creative Award at the Fifth National Master of Arts and Crafts Exhibition (中国第五届工艺美术大师优秀创作奖) and was collected by the National Museum of China (国家博物馆) in 2007.
“Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara” Buddha Statue
This large-scale copper Buddha statue has been commissioned by temples within and outside the county and is highly praised by senior monks and living Buddhas.
Other Works
He has also created over 300 types of tourist products and souvenirs, including sika deer (梅花鹿), yaks (牦牛), and golden monkeys (金丝猴).
Through preserving traditional craftsmanship, integrating modern design, promoting industrial growth, and training new generations, Losang Zhaxi has successfully brought Tibetan metal casting from the remote Yangla Township (羊拉乡) to a wider market. His contributions play a vital role in preserving and developing this important intangible cultural heritage.
