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hie SS a 10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 16, 1988 Cuaina PERSPECTIVE A FOUR PART SERIES by Diane Lackie PART II: A "CRAFTY" PEOPLE Kashgar. Jiayuguan. Camel bells. Swaying caravans. Xi'an, ancient capital of China. The legendary Silk Road. And silk. The opulent fabric of royalty which early in China's recorded history was produced -- and immediately lured traders from afar. The original trail of the Silk Road has become obscure, but it would westerly across northern central China, and today a monument marking its heralded source stands carved in stone at Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province. What visit to the Peoples' Republic of China would not include a look at sericulture -- and other pro- duce and crafts of a country known internationally for its fine handiwork. Dating back as far as 4,000 years, the fine fabric of many forms and qualities known as kilk early established China as a nation of artisans. Each spring, peasants still take millions of silkworms into their homes and hand feed them mulberry leaves until cocoons are spun. These cocoons are then packed on barges and shipped via China's Grand Canal to silk centres such as Wuxi, just northwest of Shanghai. They are then carted to fac- tories by the ton and in silk filature plants sorted, boiled top loosen the filaments of the larva cases, and unwould in long strands. A ton of unprocessed cocoons will yield about 240 pounds of raw silk. This silk is then dyed a myriad of colours and woven into the various finished fabrics from which are produced wonder- ful, luxurious articles: kimonos, shirts, dresses, underwear, upholstery, drapery, even paintings, and irridescent thread for delicate embroidery. And the price is right -- on average, about eight dollars Canadian per metre for medium quality fabric. The art of silk embroidery is well practised in its birthplace China. Mainly done by young women in less than adequate light and working conditions, bending long hours over delicate materials, in their miniscule stitches, the finished products become treasured souvenirs, even heirlooms. A specialty pro- duced in Wuxi, and purchased by the author after watching an artisan meticulously at work (being told it took over eight hours to produce with her flying fingers) was a double-sided, opaque work, shaped in the favoured 'moon' style and mounted in a fine wood, standing frame. Favoured subjects are cranes and pines (symbolizing longevity), the revered panda, native to China, in- sects, and, strangely enough, cats, althouth few are evident in China; perhaps their lustrous fur is the attraction. The introduction to silk culture was a noted success with the Ontario Teachers' entourage to China in July, so part II of China Perspectives is briefly examining this and other crafts in- digenous to the country. One of China's major trade commodities has always been such hand produced creations. In addition to silk, and to embroidery of varied kinds done on | popular cotton, linen, and silk, jade sculptures and jewellery rank highly as export material. Ever since the Shang Dynasty (1766-1022 B.C.) the Chinese themselves have revered jade as a reflection of wealth and authority as well as an object of beauty. 'Jade' describes either jadeite or nephrite (known as true jade), and is composed of several minerals. It is smooth in texture and exceedingly tough, ranging in colours from off-white to dark green, sometimes reddish. Authentic jade is cool to the touch and never transparent. A twenty-minute tour of the jade and ivory (now an endangered substance) factory in Wuxi gave the educators a quick look at the age-old art of handcarving. Each artisan worked meticulous- ly with a drill in a jet of water, and somewhat primitive condi- tions (where were the safety standards)? as the intricate figures were wrought from the semi-precious substances. Salmon-red scenes of Chinese mythology were especially eye-catching --- and cool, rich green beads and jewellery. The ever-available chance to purchase followed at the standard factory "'outlet" where ef- ficient sales staff were pleased to exchange goods for Canadian cash or credit cards. An inscrutable multi-toned brown owl made its way back to Port Perry to join an international collection. Another ancient Chinese art highly prized worldwide is that of cloisonne -- metal, primarily brass, inlaid with vivid bits of enamel. Articles such as vases, jewellery, combs, and figurines are produced in this mode; favoured figures are birds and lions. Although the lion is not native to China, it is admired for its strength and power and has appeared over the ages in various stylized forms, notably with its right paw grasping a ball of power. Many other handicrafts in production were seen by the group: inlaid lacquerware, with fine gold traced around transius- cent mother-of-pearl, frequently used in gorgeous screens, fine carpets of silk or wool, fans, papercut art (dating back to the Tang Dynasty, 618-906 A.D.) known originally as "window flowers,'"' wood carvings, marvellous scrolls, tapestries and calligraphy done by sure-handed brush artists (to order, if you wished), even fireworks, invented over a thousand years ago by the Chinese to frighten evil spirits, but now used to mark auspicious occasions. The author was amused to note in the Hotel Regulations posted by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau in her hotel room, arti- cle 5, that "No inflammable, explosive, poisonous, radioactive or other dangerous articles are allowed to be carried into the hotel. Nor is burning articles, letting off fireworks and firecrackers permitted in the hotel."' This hotel also forbids "birds, domestic animals or other unsnairy (sic) articles...elec- tric stoves, microwaves... 'the list goes on. And don't bring your videos, drink excessively, make great noise, or play your record- ed! What to do to celebrate? Back to the crafts. Ceramics, China's own wonderful porcelains and glazed pot- teries have long made the country famous. Glazed masterpieces of the Tang potters' art, for example, heralded dynamic achievements in an ancient art. Who wouldn't treasure a Ming vase or marvel at the astounding lifesize pottery army of Quin Shi Huangdi, China's first emperor (circa 212 B.C.) at Xi'an (more later). A fascinating clay pottery factory exists at Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Central China, where assorted figures are created in much the same ago-old way as the Quins from loessal clay. The biggest current trade is in replicas of the Quin warriors and horses of varying size and price. Somewhat delicate, these bisque-like figures are an intriguing bond to history and testimony to the potters' art as they are individually wrought, fired, and, if need be, coloured. (The original warriors were discovered with their painted surfaces marred by time.) Other popular depictions were chunky Tang Dynasty horses, smaller ceramic grave statuettes, or historic figures. Sculpted and waiting in rows to be fired, they made an impressive sight. And, of course, the factory gift shop was happy to serve. So "friendly" is this merchandising that China's major stores, operated profitably by the Communist Government, are dubbed 'Friend-ship Stores," and carry universally most of China's handiworks, as well as other goods popular with the now- welcome foreigners. The stores may be found in most of the ma- jor centres. Only a special currency, highly prized by native Chinese and called 'Foreigh Exchange Currency' (FEC) can be traded there. The downgraded local currency Remnimbi, is not accepted. Form of exchange is the Yuan, with one being equal to approximately three Canadian dollars. But most of China's crafts were good value for money ex- changed and the Ontario teacher "twenty-minute troupe' was generally pleased with their purchases, especially of art works and silk goods. The baggage mounted up somewhat on the roads of their China Odyseey after they completed the Jiangsu Educa- tional leg of the journey and entrained into history and culture. On to the Silk Road and back to the Quin Dynasty. Next week: history speaks. * completely finished * easy to install * laid with unique clip system * beech, ash & oak. 7/8"x5v4"x12" planks. contiicior| LEGENDARY FLOORS INQUIRIES 416-433-7360 WECOME 705-749-7414 705-324-7669 PETERBOROUGH LINDSAY PAINTED by Studio Lorenz TRUCK LETTERING -- BILLBOARDS -- REAL ESTATE SIGNS BANNERS -- MAGNETICS -- LOGOS Lorenz Bazarin 416-986-5559 DESIGN & S Nestleton, Ont. LOB 1LO SPRAY DRIVEWAY PAINTING & BARNS -- METAL ROOFS HOUSES -- COTTAGES ALUMINUM SIDING 985-9490 SEALING Since 1956 M. McGUINNESS 985-9806 FOUNDATION Same Day Service 985-9490 ] Garden tractors stolen Crime Stoppers and the Durham Regional Police are ask- 'ing for the Public's help in solv- ing the Theft of two Garden Trac- tors and mowers from Rienstra's Garage on the north side of Highway 2, % mile east of Morgan's Corners Road, in the Town of Newcastle. During the weekend of May 21st-23rd, someone stole a 1988 Kubota Garden Tractor, Model B6200HST & Mid Mower. it was orange in colour, had P.T.O., a 15 HP diesel engine, hydrostatic transmission. The mower was 60'. It was valued at about $12,000.00. Again during the night of June 3rd & 4th another Kubota Garden Tractor, Model T1400H and Mower was stolen. This time it was a 13.5 HP same colour with a 40" mower. Value was about $4,500.00. This tractor has a gasoline engine compared to the usual diesel. A re-enactment of these Crimes will be shown on City TV, Chan- nel 57, Cable 7 on Thursday, August 4th, during the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. News. It will also be shown on CHEX TV Peter- borough and CKVR TV in Barrie on Friday, August 5th, again dur- ing their news. During the weekend of May 28th-29th a Canadiana Garden Tractor and Mower was stolen from Hub International Equip- ment located at 515 Winchester Road East at Thickson in Whitby. Again during the night of May 31st and June 1st another Cana- diana Tractor was stolen from Hub. These tractors are both red in colour and have a total value of over $6,000.00. Entry to this lot was made by means of cutting the bolt and chain. Due to the weight and size of these tractors it would have taken several people to move them. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the recovery of these tractors or any other property and to the ar- rest of the people responsible. You never have to give your name or appear in Court. The Crime Stoppers number is: 436-8477, that's 436-TIPS. Long distance, call collect. Sergeant Sandy Ryrie is the Co- ordinator with the Durham Regional Police Force and writes this article to help combat crime. A Citizen Board administers the Crime Stoppers Programs of which there are now over 800 in North America. The reward money is raised through Tax Deductible donations which may be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 54, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K8. Decomposed body still unidentified Two men walking along a dead- end north Pickering sideroad dis- covered a charred and decomposed body early Thursday moming, Au- gust 11. Durham Regional Police say the pair noticed the as yet unidentified body at 5:45 a.m. on Sideroad 34. The remains have been sent to the Centre for Forensic Science in Toronto for examination and pos- sible identification. Police are treating the discovery as a homicide.