| Transmission method |
In the flow of process, sampling, engraving and printing processes are the most significant part of the core techniques of the engraved block printing, as they determine the ultimate physical and artistic quality of the printed stuff. Sampling is supposed to meet a high standard for copying characters and designing patterns as well as the layout, engraving requires craftsmen to operate cutting tools with proper pace and steer the directions of cutting operation along the blocks, and printing requires brushing along four sides of the paper to achieve ink-permeating-paper effect. The complete flow of process requires the collaboration of half a dozen craftsmen, who are equipped with printing expertise, skills and team spirit.
The traditional engraved block printing techniques have been transmitted for generations upon the current generation of printing practitioners through manual teaching and practice. Presently, printing workshops such as Yangzhou Guangling Engraved Block Printing House, Jinling Engraved Scripture Press, and Dege Monastic Printing House have been well preserved, with a number of engraved block printing experts such as Chen Yishi, Ma Mengqing and Peng Cuoze，representing bearers of the printing techniques. These bearers and practitioners have been dedicated to the conservation, transmission and development of the engraved block printing technique. They have exhibited their talent and skill in authorized copying of ancient Chinese literatures, printing of conventional engravings, printing modern books with conventional bindings as well as reproducing ancient Chinese books. Therefore, through the hands of the bearers and practitioners, the engraved block printing technique, thanks to its cultural value and social function, has played a unique and prominent role in social life. Both the bearers of engraved block printing techniques and all the Chinese people are proud of the rare technique for its contribution to the history and its contemporary values, and therefore cherish it as one of the components of the world and China’s intangible cultural heritage, and sincerely wish it can be passed upon future generations. |
