East Asia

The countries & regions of East Asia:

China | Hong Kong SAR China | Japan | Mongolia | North & South Korea | Taiwan - China

China

China boasts a rich heritage of arts and crafts originating from the Xia and Shang dynasties. Prominent traditional crafts include paper-cut, shadow show, silk figurines, embroidery, Chinese painting, lacquer ware, antique furniture, woodcarving, Yixing Zisha teapots, and ceramic ware. Chinese painting has a long history, developing from the late Zhou Dynasty through the Han Dynasty. Paper-cut, a popular folk art, emerged after the invention of paper in the Han Dynasty and is now primarily used for decoration. Beijing silk figurines originated in the Northern Song Dynasty, drawing inspiration from folk stories. Embroidery has a long history, utilising high-quality materials and featuring famous styles from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan. Lacquer ware encompasses diverse items made with traditional inlaying and painting techniques, while woodcarving, based on customs and myths, features auspicious designs, figures, and depictions of local life. China is renowned for chinaware, with recovered techniques from ancient kilns like Longquan and Jun. The Yixing Zisha teapots are valued for their elegance. These diverse crafts reflect China's deep cultural traditions and artistic skills.

Hong Kong SAR China

Hong Kong boasts a rich tradition of arts and crafts, categorised into special folk types and diverse folk art techniques. Special folk arts utilise precious materials like ivory, jade, and Shousan stone to create elegant carvings. Folk art techniques include cutting (paper art, leather silhouettes), bundling (kites, lanterns), plaiting (cloth tigers, fragrant bags), knitting (wax printing), embroidery (silk picture weaving), carving (bamboo, wood, jade figures), molding (dough and clay sculptures), and painting (hand painting, pyrography). These crafts showcase the skill and creativity of Hong Kong, offering a unique glimpse into its cultural heritage.

Japan

From the everyday beauty of handwoven textiles using hemp, ramie, cotton, and silk, to the intricate techniques of Ikat dyeing, Japan is a textile country. Both immersion dyeing and painting on textiles showcase remarkable artistry. Beyond textiles, lacquerware (urushi) has been treasured for millennia, serving both functional and decorative purposes. Japanese craftsmanship extends to wood joinery, utilising mortise and tenon techniques, and the versatile use of bamboo for various objects. With a legacy of exceptional metal forging, Japan has produced world-renowned steel. Finally, the introduction of stonework alongside Buddhism has enriched Japan's artistic landscape.

Mongolia

Rooted in prehistoric cave paintings, Mongolia boasts a rich artistic heritage that evolved through the Bronze Age with metalwork and zooform art. Nomads developed unique embroidery, applique, and felt art. The Hunnu were known for goldsmithing and pottery. Various periods saw advancements in fur clothing (Syanbi), weaponry and leatherwork (Uhuani), silver and gold (Tureg), decorative motifs (Uighur), and comprehensive craft development including glazed pottery (Khyatan). The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed a surge in diverse Mongolian arts like painting, sculpture, embroidery, and bone carving.

North Korea

Information coming soon!

South Korea

Korea has cultivated a civilisation deeply intertwined with craft activities using natural materials since ancient times, with the state systematically overseeing major craft materials and artisans. During the Joseon Dynasty, a centralised system regulated the production of crafts essential for state ceremonies, while the aristocracy and boudoir culture played a key role in fostering the development of everyday crafts. With modernisation, Western influences were actively embraced, and the perception of crafts evolved from industrial technology to artistic expression, particularly during the Japanese colonial period. The diversity of Korean crafts expanded further with industrialisation and Westernisation, with pivotal milestones such as the launch of the Cheongju Craft Biennale in 1999 and the establishment of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation in 2010 elevating Korean crafts on the global stage. Today, contemporary Korean crafts exhibit unparalleled diversity in materials, techniques, and artistic expression. Balancing functionality and aesthetics, Korean crafts continue their pursuit of beauty in everyday life.

Taiwan - China

Chinese art boasts a long history, with a "golden age" of figure drawing predating the Tang Dynasty. Landscape, flower, and bird paintings flourished by the mid-Tang Dynasty, reflecting a love for nature and free expression, with the line being a fundamental element, much like in calligraphy. Taiwan's folk arts are a vital part of its culture, with crafts like dough sculpture, kite flying, and paper cutting evolving to celebrate agricultural seasons, festivals, and life events. From ancient Chinese painting to Taiwan's diverse folk traditions, discover a rich artistic heritage.

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