To make a lion head, Zhong first shapes the frame with bamboo strips. He then covers the skeleton with paper and paints on it. Zhong says although it is not a very difficult craft to learn, apprentices need at least a year to master the craft.
Unfortunately, not many young people are interested in being apprentices. They find the job boring.
He feels blessed that his two daughters have joined him in the business. His eldest daughter, Zhong Lichang, joined him after some failed jobs.
"My father is getting old and needs someone to inherit the trade. This is a field that cannot be replaced by machines," Zhong Lichang says. "There's room for development in this job and it gives me a sense of accomplishment."
Zhong Lichang has introduced some improvement. For example, she processes orders online and designs the lion heads on computer.
She replaces man-made materials and rabbit hair with Australian wool for the lion mane, which makes the head lighter and livelier, and installs LED lights to illuminate the head at night.
"We have to change constantly to offer something new all the time," she says.
But there are stressful moments. "When we receive urgent orders, we have to work very hard."
Zhong Jiachao is still very hands-on. When he is not traveling, he is at the store.
"Where there are Chinese, there is Chinese kung fu and there are dragon and lion costumes made by us," Zhong says. More than half of his products are shipped overseas.
Zheng Erqi contributed to the story.
By Li Wenfang in Guangzhou
liwenfang@chinadaily.com.cn
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