Bian Yunkai creates a woodblock painting themed on a tiger-head shoe. [Photo/Qidong Integrated Media Center]

Fengli village in Qidong, Nantong, has recently embarked on an innovative journey to vitalize its local handicraft tradition – tiger-head shoes.

Under the skilled hands of Bian Yunkai, an artist at the Nantong Qidong Woodblock Painting Institute, this traditional craft is now experiencing a renaissance. As the carving knife glides across the woodblock and blue dye spreads over rice paper, the enchanting tiger-head shoes are brought to life once more through the art of Qidong woodblock painting.

From initial concept to detailed sketches and finally to meticulous carving, Bian has invested a week in crafting this woodblock painting of tiger-head shoes. How can woodblock painting capture the essence of this traditional folk art? Drawing inspiration from the renowned woodblock painter Ban Ling, Bian has forged his own unique path.

While Ban's tiger-head shoes from Anhui province are known for their vibrant colors, Fengli's version features the subtle blues and whites of blue calico and homespun fabric, offering a more understated elegance.

Bian believes that woodblock painting provides a fresh artistic expression for tiger-head shoes, while the shoes themselves infuse the art with rich cultural significance. "I hope this approach will enhance the visibility and appreciation of Qidong's intangible cultural heritage," Bian said.

In addition to woodblock painting, tiger-head shoes have also partnered with another of Qidong's intangible cultural heritage items – blue calico – to create exquisite gift boxes, combining blue calico cultural products with delicate tiger-head shoe ornaments.

From rural handicrafts to cross-disciplinary artistic creations, Fengli village's tiger-head shoes are steadily advancing on an innovative path of development.