Wood Carving (Zhujin Mudiao)

Wood Carving [Photo/nbwh.gov.cn]

Wood Carving [Photo/nbwh.gov.cn]

Wood Carving (Zhujin Mudiao) is one of the traditional crafts of Ningbo. It uses high-quality timber such as amphora wood, linden wood and ginkgo wood as its raw materials. After being carved by various means, the crafts are covered with gold foil and painted. The themes of the carvings primarily involve joyous occasions and folklore, featuring characteristics of Ningbo’s folk culture. The interiror decorations of Japan’s Neiraku Temple were mainly made with Zhu Jin Mu Diao, under the design of the famous Chinese monk Jian Zhen, who made significant contributions to Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).