During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, the Wanshou Villa in the capital, a seemingly ordinary octagonal pavilion, was about to become the prelude to the unveiling of a legend. Eight world-famous craftsmen, representing the top skills of the eight major industries, will soon gather here. Each of them carries tools and materials that represent their own stunts, and they are ready to compete on this world-renowned stage. Who are the eight great craftsmen? How will they show their skills in this competition? More importantly, who will be the head of the craftsmen and lead the craft fashion of this era?
The eight great craftsmen of the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty
During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, China's handicraft industry had reached a peak, especially in the artisan industry. In the context of this prosperous era, the people selected the top eight representatives of the industry from the countless craftsmen, namely carpenters, bricklayers, blacksmiths, stonemasons, leathermasons, felt makers, shavers and tailors. The skill of these craftsmen has made them an indispensable part of their daily lives.
Each of these craftsmen strives for excellence in their own field, and their skills are not only the inheritance of traditional craftsmanship, but also a unique interpretation of the art of craftsmanship. In their hands, ordinary materials were given new life and value, and their works not only met people's daily needs, but also became a testimony to the cultural prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
Representatives of each artisan profession are renowned in society for their unique skills and works. In the carpenter Lu Chuande's workshop, sawdust is flying, and the sound of saws and axes is endless. While his subordinates are busy, Lu Chuande himself focuses on a delicate piece of furniture, and every carving and polishing reflects his professionalism and pursuit of perfection.
In the kiln of bricklayer Gong Hanqing, smoke and dust are billowing, and the firelight reflects the dusty faces of the workers. Gong Hanqing personally guides every step of the process, ensuring that every tile meets the highest standards. His tiles are not only beautiful, but they are also very strong and can stand the test of time.
In the blacksmith Liu Tiezhu's blacksmith shop, sparks flew everywhere, and the sound of hammers was deafening. His strong arms swung the hammer, and the molten iron solidified in the mold. Every piece of iron was meticulously crafted by him, whether it was a sharp sword or a sturdy farm implement.
In the workshop of the stonemason Wan Lunfei, stone chips are scattered. Using a chisel and a hammer, he carved pieces of ordinary stone into lifelike works of art. Every stroke is unmistakable, demonstrating his mastery of the art of stone carving.
In the workshop of the leatherman Qiu Shengming, the fragrance of leather is permeated. He expertly handles a wide range of leathers, whether crafting high-quality shoes or delicate leather bags, reflecting his deep understanding of leather craftsmanship.
In the workshop of the feltmaker Gu Hongshun, the thick wool is processed into colorful felt. His hands dexterously shuttled through the wool, and the felt products he made were both warm and comfortable, and were loved by the people.
In the shop of the head shaver Yuan Kunsheng, there is an endless stream of customers. His razor glides gently across the customer's scalp and shaves with unmistakable precision, showcasing his mastery of shaving his head.
In the tailor's shop of the tailor Zuo Chengming, the cloth and thread are transformed into beautiful clothes in his hands. His sewing works mechanically, and every stitch reflects his love and dedication to the art of tailoring.
These craftsmen are not only leaders in their respective industries, but also indispensable members of society. Their skills and works not only met the needs of people's daily life, but also became an important part of the culture and craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty. Through their hands, traditional handicrafts have been given a new glow in this era.
The competition of Wanshou Villa
In the octagonal pavilion of Wanshou Villa in the capital, these eight top masters from all walks of life gather together to determine who is the best craftsman through a competition. The Octagonal Pavilion, which served as the site of this gathering, is itself a piece of exquisite craftsmanship, and its octagonal shape stands out in the sunlight.
On the day of the competition, the octagonal pavilion was very lively. A large crowd gathered around them, who watched curiously, looking forward to the upcoming match. Each craftsman brought their own tools and materials, ready to show off their skills.
Bricklayer Gong Hanqing demonstrated his unique tile-making techniques. He kneaded the clay into shapes on the spot and fired it in flames. In the end, a piece of hard, smooth, and well-shaped tiles appeared in front of the audience, attracting bursts of admiration.
Blacksmith Liu Tiezhu shows his iron-striking skills. He heats a piece of pig iron in a furnace fire, then quickly places it on an anvil and beats it into shape with a hammer. The iron he made was both strong and sharp, demonstrating his mastery of blacksmithing.
The stonemason Wan Lunfei chose a rough stone, and his hands and tools danced on the stone, slowly carving the stone into a beautiful stone carving. Each of his strokes is so precise and powerful that the final piece is delicate and vivid.
The cobbler Qiu Shengming shows his process of making leather. He carefully selected a piece of high-quality leather and then began to cut and stitch it. Under his hands, the piece of leather was quickly transformed into a leather goods that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Gu Hongshun, a felt maker, brought some of his elaborate felt products. He showed the audience the process of making felt, from the selection of wool to dyeing and weaving, every step of which showed his mastery of felt-making.
Head shaver Yuan Kunsheng shaved the head of a volunteer on the spot. His movements are smooth, the razor slides over the customer's head, which is both fast and precise, and quickly completes a stylish hairstyle for the customer.
Tailor Zuo Chengming showed off his sartorial skills. He chose a piece of fine fabric, quickly cut and sewed it, and in a few moments, a beautiful garment appeared in front of everyone.
Although the competition lasted for a long time, the audience found it difficult to decide who was the best because of the outstanding skills of each craftsman. Each craftsman excels in his or her field, and their work is not just a craft, but a work of art. In this competition, every participating craftsman won the respect and appreciation of the audience.
Lu Chuande's wisdom and humility
As the competition progressed, the question of who was the best was still up in the air, although each craftsman showed their skills. The crowd began to argue, and everyone had their own supporters. The air was filled with the sound of heated discussions, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.
At this moment, carpenter Lu Chuande calmly walked to the center of everyone. His slow movements are particularly noticeable. Lu Chuande took out eight small wooden stools from his bosom, which were small but exquisitely made, and every detail revealed his love for craftsmanship and exquisite craftsmanship.
Lu Chuande first handed a wooden bench to the bricklayer Gong Hanqing, and then walked up to the other craftsmen in turn and handed them the wooden bench. Each wooden stool is unique and intricately carved with patterns that demonstrate the carpenter's skill. A wooden stool is more than just a sitting, it's a work of art.
The craftsmen who took the wooden stools looked a little surprised. They carefully observed the wooden bench in their hands, admired the carvings on it, and felt the warmth and delicacy of the wood. These wooden stools are not only seats, but also a kind of heart-to-heart transmission, reflecting Lu Chuande's respect and care for his peers.
At this time, the originally noisy octagonal pavilion gradually became quiet. Everyone's eyes were focused on Lu Chuande, and his behavior made everyone present feel a sense of warmth and harmony. Lu Chuande's move not only shows his skills, but also shows his personality charm and understanding of the spirit of the craftsman.
After the distribution of the wooden stools, Lu Chuande stood in the center with a smile, and his gesture silently expressed his opinion on the competition: in the world of craftsmanship, there is no absolute distinction between high and low, and each craftsman has his own uniqueness, which deserves respect and appreciation. His behavior not only eased the tense atmosphere, but also made everyone present rethink the meaning of this competition.
Lu Chuande became the head of the Eight Great Craftsmen
After Lu Chuande finished distributing the wooden benches, the atmosphere in the octagonal pavilion changed significantly. The heated arguments subsided, replaced by an atmosphere of contemplation and respect. Gong Hanqing, a bricklayer, stood up as the first person to take the wooden bench, his gaze shifted between Lu Chuande and the wooden bench in his hand, and then slowly spoke.
"Lu Chuande's craftsmanship is obvious to all. This wooden stool, although small, contains his ingenuity and spirit. Gong Hanqing's words were simple and powerful, and his voice echoed in the octagonal pavilion.
Then, blacksmith Liu Tiezhu also stood up, he patted the wooden stool in his hand, and said: "I have seen many woodworks, but it is rare to pay attention to craftsmanship and people's hearts like Lu Chuande. ”
The stonemason Wan Lunfei also nodded in agreement: "Brother Lu's works can always touch people's hearts. His character and skills are worth learning from Xi. ”
The other craftsmen also agreed, and their eyes were full of admiration for Lu Chuande. The cobbler Qiu Shengming stroked the wooden stool in his hand and sighed: "Although this wooden stool is small, it contains great wisdom. Brother Lu's mind and ingenuity, we should all learn Xi. ”
Gu Hongshun, a feltmaker, also said softly: "Brother Lu's craftsmanship and morality are indeed a model among us. ”
The head shaver Yuan Kunsheng and the tailor Zuo Chengming also expressed their respect and recognition for Lu Chuande. In their conversations with each other, they all expressed their support for Lu Chuande as the head of the Eight Great Craftsmen.
In this way, in the octagonal pavilion, after some discussion and expression, all the craftsmen agreed that Lu Chuande should become the head of the eight great craftsmen. Their attitude is not only a recognition of Lu Chuande's skills, but also a respect for his character.
Although Lu Chuande himself didn't say much, from his humble attitude, it can be seen that he has respect for his peers and love for his craft. His actions, words and deeds show the demeanor of a true craftsman.
In the end, in the octagonal pavilion of Wanshou Villa, Lu Chuande was recognized by everyone as the head of the eight great craftsmen. This decision was based not only on his skills, but also on his character and respect for his craft. This day is not only a recognition of Lu Chuande, but also a celebration of the entire craftsman spirit. Every member of the Eight Great Craftsmen deeply felt the connotation of the craftsman spirit at this moment: respect for peers, the pursuit of excellence, the inheritance of culture with skills, and the exemplary style of morality.
Hubei Social Sciences,2023(9):80-93