A diaohua work in the shape of a peanut by Sha Yuhua, a craftsman in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Diaohua, which means carving patterns on wood, is a decorating craft commonly used in classical Chinese crafts, ranging from home decorations, windows, and furniture to doors and even an entire building.

It requires the craftsman to have abundant knowledge not only on woodwork and architecture, but also in culture, history, and fine arts.

Sha Yuhua, a 57-year-old diaohua expert in Rugao, Nantong, has been devoted to this traditional art form for 39 years.

Sha Yuhua points to a statue of the God of Longevity he made at his workshop. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Most of his works are endowed with traditional Chinese cultural elements and positive meanings, such as peaches, peanuts, the God of Prosperity, the God of Longevity, and the God of Happiness, which can be sent as gifts for weddings, birthdays, or new births.

Although machinery is commonly used in the modern production of diaohua, Sha still insists on handiwork.

"Patterns carved by hand are much more vivid than those by a machine," he explained.

However, the difficulty of handiwork has caused many young people, even Sha's children, to not want to learn the traditional craft. As a result, Sha has been worried that the ancient technique will be lost.

He has set up a workshop and recruited a dozen apprentices, hoping to pass down the skills to this craft to younger generations.