Nanfeng Nuo Carving - Luo Chunming, the Inheritor of Nuo Mask Carving

Nanfeng Nuo Dance is hailed as the "living fossil of ancient Chinese dance." Every year, the Starting Nuo is on the first day of the Chinese New Year and the Concluding Nuo is after the Lantern Festival. During this period, Nuo troupes follow ancient rituals, performing ceremonies to expel ghosts and epidemics, praying for good weather and abundant harvest, and household peace. Nuo masks are symbolic representations of Nuo culture and serve as vessels for deities during Nuo Rituals. Consequently, the carving of Nuo masks has become an ancient folk art.
As one of the many Nanfeng artists engaged in Nuo mask carving, Luo Chunming has been practicing this craft for over 30 years. Currently, there are more than 100 types of Nanfeng Nuo masks, totaling over 2,000 pieces, primarily made from poplar wood and camphor wood, with camphor wood being the more commonly used material. Nanfeng Nuo masks feature a wide variety of characters with diverse and unique designs. In addition to iconic figures such as Zhong Kui, the God of Wealth, and Nuo Grandpa and Nuo Grandma, there are many characters from folk stories, including notable figures from "The Journey to the West" and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
The production process of Nuo masks involves Wood Selection, Rough Blank, Fine Billet, Polishing, Coloring. As a prop used by performers, Nuo mask carving demands high quality. The masks must not only be well-carved and expressive on the outside but also comfortable to wear inside, achieving excellence both externally and internally. Luo Chunming emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's original intentions and dedicating oneself to the craft. He believes that mastering the skills and ensuring their transmission will be a lifelong pursuit for him.
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