Xu Zonghua and Gao Aihua are busy carving a rosewood piece. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Rosewood carving reflects the rich heritage of every artisan in Nantong, Jiangsu province. For Xu Zonghua and Gao Aihua, a couple from Rudong, a county in Nantong, it symbolizes their lifelong journey together.

With nearly 40 years of dedication to rosewood carving, this couple has refined their exceptional skills and received numerous awards in various craft competitions. In recent years, they have inspired young people's interest in intangible cultural heritage through platforms like short video sharing.

In 2004, they founded the Couple's Rosewood Masterpiece Studio. That same year, Xu participated in an advanced workshop focused on the innovation and development of rosewood culture and art in Jiangsu. This experience was a pivotal moment in his artistic journey, leading him to invent a revolving wooden vase — an entirely new concept in the industry at that time.

Rosewood carving article by the couple. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Starting from scratch, Xu carefully researched, drafted designs, and chose materials for his creation. Using a single piece of Indian rosewood, the outer layer features detailed openwork carvings of traditional Chinese motifs, while the inner revolving section displays shallow reliefs of clouds and seasonal plants and animals, symbolizing peace throughout the year.

Following this, he continued to create a series of revolving woodworks, many of which have been acquired by institutions such as the Jiangsu Gongmei Rosewood Culture and Art Research Institute.

"The centuries-old legacy of rosewood carving must not end with our generation," Gao said, recognizing the growing shortage of skilled artisans in the woodworking industry. She continually explores ways to promote and pass on this craft.

The couple has since collaborated with Nantong University, Nantong Vocational University, and various primary and secondary schools in Rudong, providing free lessons in rosewood carving. Their rosewood heritage base has been recognized as a teaching practice center by Nanjing University of the Arts. Online, Gao has taught herself video production, using platforms like Douyin, WeChat Video, and Xiaohongshu to share the art of rosewood carving, drawing in a growing number of young enthusiasts.

"As representatives of the intangible cultural heritage, we have a responsibility to protect and promote the art of rosewood carving," Gao said. She hopes to provide every aspiring student with a basic salary, social security, and accommodation, ensuring they can learn this craft without any worries.