Nantong craftsman promotes traditional techniques

[Video/provided to nantong.gov.cn]

Wang Yuxiang, an inheritor of Nantong kesi silk weaving, has replicated more than 60 ancient paintings in hopes of reviving the traditional skills.

The Nantong kesi silk weaving techniques can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) but disappeared in the city because of wars, according to Wang.

Wang Yuxiang and his latest work reproducing a painting of the Song Dynasty. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

By the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Nantong native Zhang Jian had gathered craftsman from around China to reproduce Nantong kesi silk weaving, said Wang.

The distinctive feature of Nantong kesi is that the fabric is very scratchy and the surface of the fabric presents a "corrugated" groove effect. Although the surface is rough, it also features delicate and intriguing craftsmanship.

Over the past 15 years, Wang has been dedicated to improving the profile of Nantong kesi silk weaving in China.

For example, in 2008, he cooperated with a fashion brand to launch 12 dresses made with kesi silk weaving, which caused a stir during the Beijing International Fashion Week and led to one of the dresses made with seven kinds of kesi silk weaving being collected by the Capital Museum in Beijing.