Written by: Economic Daily
Posted on: May 03, 2018 | 
| 中文
Clay Dogs of Taihao Tomb, Huaiyang, China
“Old Zhai, go slowly. Give me a handful of clay dogs, and may you live to 99,” are the wordings of a widely known folk song, still remembered by many in Huaiyang County, in the eastern part of Henan province in China.
Huaiyang is known as the holy land for human ancestors in ancient Chinese Legend and the ancient capital of the dynasty ruled by Emperor Fu His. “Clay dog” is the general name of Huaiyang clay toys, which are a national intangible cultural heritage in China. According to legend, the clay dog is the sacred dog guarding Fu Hsi and Nuwa’s temple, thus having the reputation of “real totem and living fossil.”
With rapid development of local tourism, clay dogs of various shapes have become very popular among tourists, especially during the annual Huaiyang Taihao Mausoleum fair. The seemingly plain clay toys hence have become hot souvenirs.
“I learned how to make clay dogs from my father when I was twelve, but had not expected to make money with them. Yet by making clay toys, my family has built a house and are living a good life,” said Fang Guofu, pointing to his newly-built house. The 93-year-old man is the oldest inheritor of the intangible heritage in the area. Despite his age, he immediately feels refreshed when talking about “clay dogs.”
In the old man’s studio, there are more than 200 “clay dogs” of various shapes, each having a vibrant and adorable image. When the journalists visit him, Fang Guofu is teaching his grandson Fang Wenxiang to make a clay toy, and after a while, a piece of plain clay turns into a lifelike “clay dog” in Fang Wenxiang’s hands.
Translated by Xu Donglin
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