| Description |
In the Chinese tradition of weaving Nanjing Yunjin brocade, two craftspeople operate the upper and lower parts of a large, complicated loom to produce textiles incorporating fine materials such as silk, gold and peacock feather yarn. The technique was once used to produce royal garments such as the dragon robe and crown costume; today, it is still used to make high-end attire and souvenirs.
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| Social and cultural significance |
Today, it is of greater value in social life, such as for grand attire, high-level appreciation, decoration and tourist souvenirs. Nanjing Yunjin Brocade skill is also used for relic replication. For instance, it has been used to replicate ancient silk fabrics for institutions such as Beijing Palace Museum, Tibet Potala Palace and Boston Museum of United States and provides valuable materials to academic researches of history, archaeology and textile study, etc. Named for the cloud-like splendour of the fabrics, yunjin remains popular throughout the country. |
| Transmission method |
Nanjing is located in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtse River. With a humid climate, it abounds in silk, dye plants and gold thread, and the water from Qinhuai River is good for dyeing. Since “Douchang Brocade Bureau” was established in Nanjing by the East-Jin government in 420 A.D., the manufacturing of Nanjing Yunjin Brocade was under management of the government. “Dong Weaving and Dyeing Bureau” and “Xi Weaving and Dyeing Bureau” were established in Nanjing in the Yuan Dynasty in 1280. “Nei Weaving and Dyeing Bureau”, “Divine Silk Hall” and “Loom Supply Room” were established in Nanjing by the Ming government in 1368. “Jiangning Weaving Bureau” was established in Nanjing in 1663 by the Qing government to provide Yunjin brocade exclusively to the royal family and government officials.
Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Research Institute which was established in 1957 has become the central institution for protecting, inheriting, and developing Yunjin Brocade skill. At present, under the guidance of representative inheritors such as Guo Jun, Zhang Hongbao, Yang Yuzhu(design and process), Zhou Shuangxi Cai Xiangyang (“tiaohuajieben”, loom manufacturing and weaving) and Wan Jishen (botanic dyeing), more than 120 handicraftsmen are committed to protecting, inheriting, and developing Yunjin brocade handicraft and adding new vigor into it. Like the inheritors of past generations, they cherish this valuable cultural heritage of China and take the inheritance as their own historical mission. |
| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2009 |
