To start, the Master will use a pencil to draw patterns on the metal sheet. After that, they use Zanzi and hummers to make the pattern sunken. The sheet will then be turned over so the pattern protrudes and they will use hundreds of Zanzi to strike further, making the pattern vivid.

These were the stages that I have seen. However, the whole procedure to carve a dragon involves 13 steps, along with a great number of skills.

Master Wu and his unfinished Chinese dragon

The Masters using Zanzi and hammers to produce a pattern appears to be easy and interesting; the lines just flow from their tools. So I asked for a try.

Master Wu drew a simple pattern on the sheet and handed me a Zanzi with flat head and a hammer to carve the outline. He then showed me the correct way to hold the tools and then it was my turn.

I thought drawing the outline was easy, but in fact it was very hard to balance the strength. If you strike too soft, the Zanzi will slip off the original line. If you strike too hard, it will stick in the metal and not be able to move forward.

Half an hour passed and I had hardly finished. The outline was neither distinct nor sleek.

The correct way to hold the tools

However, Master Wu comforted me: “It’s not so bad for the first time. You know what, before the apprentice becomes an independent craftsman, they must be trained for five to eight years, and they all begin with straight lines,” he said. “For you this just provides you with an opportunity to experience how it works. You want to be good after just 20 minutes. How could that be possible? ”

He mended a little and gave me another Zanzi with a thicker head. After striking this one along the outline twice, the pattern became a little stereoscopic. Two hours later, the pattern looked much better.

I had to take a rest every 10 minutes because I focused so much energy trying to hold and move the Zanzi and it was making my hand ache.

“To make this pattern decent, you should at least spend another afternoon here,” Master Wu told me. “But when you finish this work, I will find a way to cut it down and give it to you as a present.” I was inspired and worked harder. At the same time, I learned more about the Masters.

Wu Beiqing, Wang Weicheng and other two Masters are the sixth generation heirs of Jinyinxigong in Laofengxiang.