Zhang Shishen: It's glorious to inherit tie-dyeing tradition

The Bai craft of tie-dyeing—dating back to the late Ming(1368-1644) and early Qing(1644-1912) Dynasties —is most developed in Zhoucheng Village in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. In the heyday of this craft, every household in the village was engaged in tie-dyeing.

Zhang Shishen is the representative inheritor of the Bai craft of tie-dyeing, which is labelled a national intangible cultural heritage. In the past, according to Zhang, Zhoucheng Village was so famous for tie-dyeing that when girls in Dali were getting married, their dowries were required to include tie-dyed clothes, headwear and beddings from the village.

The Bai craft of tie-dyeing is famous mainly because it uses the plant radix isatidis —better known as indigo. Zhang Shishen used to grow radix isatidis himself. The charm of tie-dyeing lies in the natural transitions between blue and white. The cloth can be tied tightly or loosely, so different parts are dyed to various extents, and every piece of cloth has a unique pattern. In addition, as the colours lightly fades, the contrast will weaken to achieve a soft hazy effect. Radix isatidis is anti-inflammatory, so clothes and sheets tie-dyed with it are naturally good for the skin. Locals also have a habit of using the water from the dyeing vats to treat mosquito bites.

In the 1980s, a Japanese businessman came to Dali. Learning that the dye is pure and natural, he began to import Bai tie-dyed cloth from Dali in large quantities. When Japanese people found that the tie-dyed cloth is good for skin diseases, the number of orders rose sharply.

As an inheritor of this national intangible heritage, Zhang Shishen always feels that his mission is not yet fulfilled. Two years ago, when he participated in China’s intangible cultural heritage protection achievement exhibition in Beijing, his Bai tie-dyeing exhibition booth attracted a large audience. He was excited that people are still interested in products tie-dyed with natural indigo. In their eyes, the natural, graceful “inkyblue” stands the test of time.

Zhang Shishen: Its glorious to inherit tie-dyeing tradition

The Bai craft of tie-dyeingdating back to the late Ming(1368-1644) and early Qing(1644-1912) Dynasties is most developed in Zhoucheng Village in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. In the heyday of this craft, every household in the village was engaged in tie-dyeing. Zhang Shishen is the representative inheritor of the Bai craft of tie-dyeing, which is labelled a national intangible cultural heritage. In the past, according to Zhang, Zhoucheng Village was so famous for tie-dyeing that when girls in Dali were getting married, their dowries were required to include tie-dyed clothes, headwear and beddings from the village. The Bai craft of tie-dyeing is famous mainly because it uses the plant radix isatidis better known as indigo. Zhang Shishen used to grow radix isatidis himself. The charm of tie-dyeing lies in the natural transitions between blue and white. The cloth can be tied tightly or loosely, so different parts are dyed to various extents, and every piece of cloth has a unique pattern. In addition, as the colours lightly fades, the contrast will weaken to achieve a soft hazy effect. Radix isatidis is anti-inflammatory, so clothes and sheets tie-dyed with it are naturally good for the skin. Locals also have a habit of using the water from the dyeing vats to treat mosquito bites. In the 1980s, a Japanese businessman came to Dali. Learning that the dye is pure and natural, he began to import Bai tie-dyed cloth from Dali in large quantities. When Japanese people found that the tie-dyed cloth is good for skin diseases, the number of orders rose sharply. As an inheritor of this national intangible heritage, Zhang Shishen always feels that his mission is not yet fulfilled. Two years ago, when he participated in Chinas intangible cultural heritage protection achievement exhibition in Beijing, his Bai tie-dyeing exhibition booth attracted a large audience. He was excited that people are still interested in products tie-dyed with natural indigo. In their eyes, the natural, graceful inkyblue stands the test of time.