User:Qi Zhiyang

Lacquer Fans: A Pearl of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Integration of Traditional Lacquer Art and Fan Culture

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the impact of the times on the inheritance and innovation of intangible cultural heritage, this paper focuses on the unique intangible cultural heritage of lacquer fans. It deeply elaborates on this artistic form that takes fans as the carrier and lacquerware craftsmanship as the core, analyzes its characteristics and values, sorts out the inheritance dilemmas, and explores development paths. It provides ideas for the protection and inheritance of lacquer fans and similar intangible cultural heritages, and helps with the continuation and innovation of traditional culture.

Keywords

Lacquer fans; Intangible cultural heritage; Inheritance and development; Lacquerware craftsmanship

Brief Introduction

Lacquer fans are traditional handicrafts made by applying lacquerware techniques such as lacquering, inlaying, and painting on various fans (such as round fans, folding fans, etc.). Their origin can be traced back to ancient times. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, the lacquerware craftsmanship had gradually matured and combined with the daily practical fans, giving birth to the embryonic form of lacquer fans. In the Tang Dynasty, the production techniques of lacquer fans reached a relatively high level and became items for collection and appreciation by the royal court and nobles. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, they incorporated the aesthetic tastes of literati, and the fan surfaces were often combined with calligraphy and painting, adding cultural charm. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the lacquer fans became more diverse in terms of craftsmanship techniques and subject matter expression, becoming one of the representatives of traditional crafts, carrying thousands of years of cultural memories and the technical wisdom of craftsmen.

Characteristics of Lacquer Fans

Exquisite Craftsmanship

The production of lacquer fans involves multiple processes, including selecting fan ribs, making fan surfaces, preparing lacquer, lacquering, and decorating. From the selection and refining of natural lacquer materials to the inlaying (such as mother-of-pearl, gold and silver foil, etc.) and painting according to the designed patterns, each step relies on the experience and skills of craftsmen. Take lacquering as an example; it requires multiple applications and polishings to make the lacquer layer uniform and present a unique luster, creating a simple or gorgeous texture, fully demonstrating the fineness of the craftsmanship.

Unique Modeling

The fan ribs have diverse shapes. They can be made of bamboo, wood carved into beautiful curves or metal to create exquisite patterns. The fan surfaces have rich forms. The roundness of round fans and the opening and closing postures of folding fans, combined with lacquer art decorations, create a unique visual effect. The colors and textures of lacquer art integrate with the shape of the fan. For example, painting landscapes on a round fan uses the circular shape of the fan surface to create the artistic conception of "a landscape within a step, with beautiful sceneries in many directions", demonstrating the beauty of the combination of modeling and craftsmanship.

Rich Subject Matter

The subject matter of lacquer fans covers many fields such as nature and humanities. Natural subjects include flowers, birds, fish, insects, landscapes, forests, and springs. The color layers of lacquer art are used to show the agility of flowers and birds and the remoteness of landscapes. Humanities subjects include historical stories, poetry allusions, etc. Cultural connotations are presented on the fan surface in the forms of lacquer painting and inlaying, making the lacquer fan a carrier of culture and conveying oriental aesthetics and humanistic spirit.

Values of Lacquer Fans

Cultural Value

Lacquer fans integrate lacquerware craftsmanship and fan culture and carry the development context and aesthetic concepts of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. From the aesthetic tastes of the Tang Dynasty royal court to the literati interests of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, lacquer fans record the cultural symbols of different eras. They are physical materials for studying the changes of traditional craftsmanship and culture, and are of great significance for inheriting cultural genes and promoting national culture.

Artistic Value

With exquisite craftsmanship, unique modeling, and subject matter, lacquer fans become the crystallization of artistic creation. Craftsmen use lacquer as ink and fans as paper to create a rich artistic conception in a limited space, demonstrating the material beauty, craftsmanship beauty, and design beauty of lacquer art. They have high artistic appreciation and collection value and add a unique category to the art field.

Practical Value

Although they are traditional handicrafts, lacquer fans still retain the practical function of fans and can be used to fan and cool down in summer. At the same time, their aesthetic property makes them a good choice for indoor decoration and gift-giving, meeting people's dual needs for the aesthetics and cultural connotations of practical items.

Inheritance and Development of Lacquer Fans

Inheritance Dilemmas

1.Difficulties in Raw Material and Technique Inheritance: The collection and refining of natural lacquer materials are restricted by the environment and technology. There are few craftsmen who master the complete set of lacquer fan production techniques. The younger generation lacks the motivation to learn and inherit due to the long learning cycle and unstable income.

2.Weak Adaptation to Innovation and Market: The product forms and subject matter of lacquer fans lack innovation, making it difficult to meet the diverse consumer demands of modern times. The market promotion channels are limited, mainly relying on traditional offline exhibitions, resulting in low awareness and a narrow audience.

Development Paths 1.Technique Inheritance: Carry out activities such as introducing intangible cultural heritage into campuses and the master-apprentice inheritance system to cultivate professional talents. Establish a lacquer fan craftsmanship database to record the process flow and protect and inherit it with the help of digital means.

2.Innovative Design: Combine modern aesthetics and life scenarios to develop cultural and creative products of lacquer fans, such as lacquer fan bookmarks, lacquer fan lamps, etc. Integrate fashion elements, expand the subject matter and application scenarios, and attract young consumers.

3.Market Promotion: Use digital media platforms such as short videos and live broadcasts to display the production and artistic charm of lacquer fans. Hold lacquer fan art exhibitions and cultural exchange activities to enhance brand awareness and cultural influence.

Terminology

Lacquer fan Lacquerware technique Lacquering Intangible cultural heritage

Questions

1.In what specific aspects is the cultural value of lacquer fans reflected?

2.How can lacquer fans break through geographical limitations with the help of digital media in the process of inheritance and development?

Answer:

1.It is reflected in carrying traditional craftsmanship techniques (such as lacquering, inlaying, etc.), reflecting the aesthetic and cultural symbols of different eras (the styles of the Tang Dynasty royal court and the literati of the Ming and Qing Dynasties), and serving as a carrier for cultural research and exchange. It is an important physical object for inheriting national culture.

2.A website or short video account themed on lacquer fans can be built to release content such as production processes and finished product displays. Online live sales, craftsmanship teaching, and online exhibitions can be carried out to let people in different regions understand and contact lacquer fans, expanding the scope of communication.

References

[1] Song Ruixue. A Brief Analysis of the Traditional Lacquering Techniques of Lacquer Fans and Contemporary Cultural and Creative Products[J]. China Lacquer, 2024(04).

[2] Zhang Wei. Research on the Digital Protection of Lacquer Fan Techniques[J]. Decoration, 2023(04): 56 - 61.

[3] Chen Jing. The Techniques of Fuzhou Bodiless Lacquerware[M]. Beijing: Culture and Art Publishing House, 2015.

漆扇：传统漆艺与扇文化交融的非遗明珠

摘要

在非物质文化遗产传承创新受时代冲击的背景下，本文聚焦漆扇这一独特非遗，深入阐述其以扇子为载体、漆器工艺为内核的艺术形式，剖析特点、价值，梳理传承困境并探索发展路径，为漆扇及同类非遗保护传承提供思路，助力传统文化延续与创新。

关键词

漆扇；非物质文化遗产；传承发展；漆器工艺

简要介绍

漆扇是以各类扇子（如团扇、折扇等）为基础形制，运用髹漆、镶嵌、彩绘等漆器工艺制作而成的传统工艺品 。其起源可追溯至古代，东汉时漆器工艺渐趋成熟，与日常实用的扇子结合，孕育出漆扇雏形 。唐代，漆扇制作技艺达较高水准，成为宫廷贵族收藏赏玩之物；宋元时期，融入文人审美，扇面常结合书画，增添文化意趣；明清时期，漆扇在工艺技法与题材表现上愈发丰富，成为传统工艺代表之一，承载着千年文化记忆与匠人的技艺智慧 。

漆扇的特点

工艺精湛性

漆扇制作工序繁杂，需经选扇骨、制扇面、调漆、髹漆、装饰等多道流程 。从天然漆料的挑选、炼制，到依据设计图案进行镶嵌（如螺钿、金银箔等）、彩绘，每一步都依赖匠人经验与技艺 。以髹漆为例，需多次涂抹、打磨，使漆层均匀且呈现独特光泽，打造出或古朴、或华丽的质感，尽显工艺精细 。

造型独特性

扇骨造型多样，或采用竹木雕刻出优美曲线，或选用金属打造精致纹样；扇面形态丰富，团扇的圆润、折扇的开合之姿，搭配漆艺装饰，构建出独特视觉效果 。漆艺的色彩、纹理与扇的造型融合，如在团扇上以漆绘山水，借扇面圆形营造“咫尺山水，多方胜景”的意境，展现造型与工艺结合的美感 。

题材丰富性

漆扇题材涵盖自然、人文等诸多领域 。自然题材有花鸟鱼虫、山水林泉，借漆艺色彩层次表现花鸟灵动、山水悠远；人文题材含历史故事、诗词典故，将文化内涵以漆绘、镶嵌等形式呈现于扇面，让漆扇成为文化载体，传递东方美学与人文精神 。

漆扇的价值

文化价值

漆扇融合漆器工艺与扇文化，承载着中国传统工艺的发展脉络与审美观念 。从唐代宫廷审美到明清文人意趣，漆扇记录不同时代文化符号，是研究传统工艺、文化变迁的实物资料，对传承文化基因、弘扬民族文化意义重大 。

艺术价值

凭借精湛工艺与独特造型、题材，漆扇成为艺术创作结晶 。匠人们以漆为墨、以扇为纸，在有限空间营造丰富艺术意境，展现漆艺的材质美、工艺美与设计美，具有较高艺术欣赏与收藏价值，为艺术领域增添独特品类 。

实用价值

虽为传统工艺品，漆扇仍保留扇的实用功能，夏日可扇风纳凉 。同时，其美观性使其成为室内装饰、礼品馈赠的佳选，满足人们对实用物品审美与文化内涵的双重需求 。

漆扇的传承和发展

传承困境

1.原料与技艺传承难：天然漆料采集、炼制受环境与技术制约，掌握全套漆扇制作技艺的匠人稀缺，年轻一代因学习周期长、收入不稳定等，缺乏学习传承动力 。

2.创新与市场适配弱：漆扇产品形式、题材创新不足，难以契合现代多元消费需求；市场推广渠道有限，主要依赖传统线下展示，认知度、受众面窄 。

发展路径

1.技艺传承：开展非遗进校园、师徒传承制等活动，培养专业人才；建立漆扇工艺数据库，记录技艺流程，借助数字化手段保护传承 。

2.创新设计：结合现代审美与生活场景，开发漆扇文创产品，如漆扇书签、漆扇灯具等；融入时尚元素，拓展题材与应用场景，吸引年轻消费者 。

3.市场推广：利用短视频、直播等数字媒体平台，展示漆扇制作、艺术魅力；举办漆扇艺术展览、文化交流活动，提升品牌知名度与文化影响力 。

术语表达

漆扇（lacquer fan） 漆器工艺（lacquerware technique） 髹漆（lacquering） 非物质文化遗产（intangible cultural heritage）

问题

1.漆扇的文化价值体现在哪些具体方面？

2. 漆扇在传承发展中，如何借助数字媒体突破地域限制？

答：

1.体现在承载传统工艺技法（如髹漆、镶嵌等 ）、反映不同时代审美与文化符号（唐代宫廷、明清文人风格 ）、作为文化研究与交流载体等方面，是传承民族文化的重要实物 。 漆扇制作涉及扇骨原料（如竹木、金属等 ）、漆料（天然生漆等 ），还可能用到镶嵌材料（螺钿、金银箔等 ）、彩绘颜料等 。

2.可搭建漆扇主题网站、短视频账号，发布制作工艺、成品展示等内容；开展线上直播售卖、工艺教学，举办线上展览，让不同地域人群了解、接触漆扇，扩大传播范围 。

参考文献

[1] 宋瑞雪. 漆扇传统髹饰技艺与当代文创浅析[J]. 中国生漆, 2024(04).

[2] 张伟. 漆扇技艺数字化保护研究[J]. 装饰, 2023(04): 56-61.

[3] 陈靖. 福州脱胎漆器技艺[M]. 北京: 文化艺术出版社, 2015.