Tujia Masons

Rock masonry is one of the typical folk crafts in Enshi, Hubei. This ancient art form was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.

With spectacular limestone karst topography, Enshi has many rock-covered mountains—these rocks are widely used as building materials. Various groups of masons have formed；they carve rocks to be used as artwork to decorate houses, and this economy has improved the locals' quality of life.

Most of the masons work in the open. They carve vivid patterns of animals and plants,as well as myths and legends on rocks. Their works are then used to adorn stilted buildings,archways, temples, palaces,and other structures. It has now become a living art form of the Tujia ethnic group.

(Photos by Song Wen, pic.cnhubei.com)

Rock carving 雕刻细微处

Carving an ornamental relief with a steel chisel 用钢钎进行浮雕