难得葫芦——聊城葫芦采风记

The Rare Lagenaria Siceraria

2004年仲秋，我和中国艺术研究院王海霞，赵红帆女士等一行七人来到聊城大学，在聊大民俗研究所张宪昌所长的带领下，驱车来到了以刻葫芦艺术出名的大杨庄村。

There lives in Liangsui Town, Liaocheng County of Shandong Province an old engraving artisan of Lagenaria siceraria Yang Jijun. whose handcraftsmanship which has been handed down for generations is known far and wide. The figures he engraved on Lagenaria sicerarias resemble very much those of the local New Years paintings with simple lines and natural and easy expressions. What's a pity, there are few skilful Lagenaria siceraria engravers as Yang Jijun nowadays. In Mengzhang Village of Liaocheng, there is a 'Heaven and Earth Lagenaria Siceraria Shop', whose handicrafts are ironed instead of engraved. The ironed Lagenaria sicerarias are fresh and brilliant with varnish painted on them. Tangyi Town is the largest Lagenaria siceraria handicraft manufacturing and processing base, where there are not only engraved and ironed Lagenaria sicerarias but also painted and mould processing ones. The ironed Lagenaria sicerarias are of richer cultural taste as they reveal the charm of the traditional Chinese painting.