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Piece by Piece, an Ancient Chinese Craft Is Shaping Future Toys

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Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series exploring how guochao — or “China chic,” a movement blending traditional Chinese aesthetics in contemporary consumer products — continues to influence modern China, from traditional crafts and modern fashion to culture and digital media. Born into four generations of carpenters and trained as an architect, Hao Liyan seemed destined for a career in building or design. Yet, he found his true calling where the two disciplines intersect: running a business crafting toys that use traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon joints. “I had seen all the hard work and injuries my forebears endured and decided against following in their footsteps,” the 42-year-old tells Sixth Tone. “(But) growing up, I understood the value of craftsmanship and felt a duty to preserve these skills. The culture of a family deeply influences who we become.” This traditional technique, called sunmao in Chinese, joins concave and convex wood pieces together by fitting t

Piece by Piece, an Ancient Chinese Craft Is Shaping Future Toys TOPICS Subscribe to our newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use. FOLLOW US About Us | Contribute | Contact Us | Sitemap FEATURES Piece by Piece, an Ancient Chinese Craft Is Shaping Future Toys Sunmao, an ancient woodworking technique that connects without nails or glue, is making a comeback in the world of toy manufacturing. This resurgence is part of a broader trend of adapting traditional crafts for modern markets, driven by demand from Gen Z. By Li Xin Apr 23, 2024 # arts # consumption # business Editor’s note:

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