Tancheng wood-cut toys are a traditional handicraft, originating in Southern Shandong province. Its long history is also rich in local flavor. In 2014, it was recognized as a nationalintangible cultural heritage.

Using a traditional Chinese brush, Fan Zhanmei paints a wooden car in the shape of a swallow. [Photo/Xinhua]

In the villages near Tancheng, a county in Southern Shandong province, wood in different lengths and thickness is used for the building material. People cut out the shape of a toy with a lathe, and follow a succession of steps to polish, color and finish the item. The toys' pattern designs are inspired by local myths and folk tales.

Up to now, Tancheng wood-cutt toys were classified into 10 categories with more than 600 varieties in pattern design, including traditional types based on facial makeup in Peking Opera, disks with patterns of the Eight Immortals of legend, tiger-head mallets, wooden cars in the shape of a swallow and sundries like baskets as well as wooden bowls.

Local folk artists are still eager to innovate and explore new productions to carry forward the traditional technology and adapt to the new market demand.

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