"Rat’s Weddings" galore as Vietnamese woodcut artist prepares for Tet
A Dong Ho woodcut paintings artist is busy with the “The Rat’s Wedding”, a highly popular traditional motif, for the upcoming Tet festival.
Rat-shaped bonsai popular in Vietnam ahead of Tet | |
Traditional Tet space to be re-enacted in Hanoi’s Old Quarter | |
Dong Ho folk paintings introduced at Shanghai university |
57-year-old Nguyen Huu Qua is one of just three people who are still pursuing the art of Dong Ho folk woodcut paintings in the eponymous craft village in Bac Ninh Province, about 35 km (21 miles) from Hanoi. |
As the upcoming Tet is the Year of the Rat, "Dam Cuoi Chuot" (The Rat’s Wedding) is in high demand. |
"The Rat’s Wedding" woodblock. |
Paint is applied to the woodblock and pressed on a sheet of handmade paper, like a stamp. The process is repeated with different colors with different woodblocks. To make his work perfect, Qua chooses high-quality wood with smooth surfaces. |
The original Dong Ho paintings did not have garish colors. They were warm and easy to the eye, all made from all natural materials: red from the rock on Thien Thai Mountain, white from the shell of scallops, black from the ash of burned bamboo leaves, yellow from flowers of the Japanese pagoda tree, and green from the bark of cajuput trees. |
Red color is created from grinding the rock onto a china plate. The powder is mixed with water and sticky rice paste to prevent fading. |
The traditional papers have a layer of scallop powder, making it shiny. The order to print is that red/purple comes first, then green, yellow, black and white. After printing each color, the artisans have to wait for around half an hour and use a traditional material to rub the paper, ensuring the colors are evenly spread. |
With large paintings, instead of using woodblocks, Qua has to draw and paint. |
The Dong Ho paintings used to be popular at Tet time, but declining demand make many people abandon the traditional art, Qua said. Most of his clients are foreigners and overseas Vietnamese, he added. This year, his family has made 200 sets of calendars, postcards and notebooks, all themed on the rat. |
e.vnexpress.net
Recommended
Viet's Home
Vietnam’s Weather Forecast (April 30): Hot Day With High Temperatures Continue In The North
On April 30, Vietnam’s weather forecast is predicted to have excessive heat and the highest temperatures reaching 42 degrees in the Northern region.
April 28, 2024 | 20:05
Viet's Home
Zhi-Shan Foundation Hosts Bookcases Donation Ceremony in Hue
On April 22, the Zhi-Shan Foundation handed over 125 bookcases to 13 preschools and primary schools in Phu Loc district (Hue) on the occasion of the 3rd annual Vietnam's Day of Books and Reading Culture.
April 27, 2024 | 20:50
Viet's Home
New Cooperation Opportunity In Vocational Training with Japan for Dong Nai
On April 22, a delegation from Dong Nai province, led by Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh, visited and worked with Kawahara Vocational School in Osaka (Japan).
April 27, 2024 | 20:46
Viet's Home
EU-funded Project for Eco-Resilient Agriculture in Vietnam's Mekong Delta
The STAR-FARM project is a comprehensive program that addresses the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate change and environmental challenges.
April 27, 2024 | 20:39
Viet's Home
Vietnam’s Weather Forecast (April 29): Heat Increases In The Northern Region
On April 29, Vietnam’s weather forecast is predicted to have hot days and increased heat with the highest temperatures reaching 41 degrees in the Northern region.
April 27, 2024 | 20:07
Viet's Home
Vietnam's Opportunity to Become Powerhouse In Semiconductor Industry
According to the world's technology giants, Vietnam has great potential in artificial intelligence and this is an opportunity to redraw the world map of semiconductors.
April 26, 2024 | 14:18
Viet's Home
Vietnam’s Weather Forecast (April 27): Excessive Heat, Highest Temperatures In Northern Region
On April 27, Vietnam’s weather forecast is predicted to have intense heat with the highest temperatures reaching 40 degrees in the Northern region.
April 26, 2024 | 14:04
Viet's Home
Vietnam Among Asia's Biggest Spenders on Infrastructure
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang emphasized that Vietnam is one of Asia's leading countries in infrastructure investment, spending 5.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on projects in this field.
April 26, 2024 | 11:11