Zhang Dehe
01 · Lineage & Regional School
Zhang Dehe, Male, Han, from Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang, is a sixth-batch national representative bearer of Zhugendiao (Ⅶ-136). The tradition is documented in Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang. Within the regional tradition and school record of Zhugendiao in Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang: Its works combine practical use with aesthetic appeal in a unique style, falling into two categories: pure appreciation pieces, and pieces that are both practical and meant for appreciation. Xiangshan bamboo root carving has a long history, and the earliest surviving work known today was made during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing dynasty.
02 · Mastery & Signature Works
The bearer record for Zhang Dehe is anchored in the documented technical standards of Zhugendiao in Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang. Within the documented technical tradition of Zhugendiao in Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang: Xiangshan bamboo root carving is a traditional handicraft in which the roots of moso bamboo and their natural forms and grain are used, through artistic conception, to carve lively shapes of all kinds; it is transmitted mainly in Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and the surrounding areas. Working from the shape and grain of each bamboo root, folk artisans absorb and draw on the essence of such traditional Chinese arts as calligraphy and painting, sculpture, wood carving, and stone carving. They carve according to the form and exercise their skill according to the material, organically and ingeniously combining natural beauty with crafted beauty to produce vivid Xiangshan bamboo root carvings; with a few economical knife strokes they produce endless charm, capturing the appeal of returning to simplicity and authenticity. The production process of Xiangshan bamboo root carving is complex, comprising more than ten process steps, including material selection, conception, and carving. The main techniques include round carving, openwork carving, freehand (xieyi) carving, and composite carving. The subjects of Xiangshan bamboo root carving are wide-ranging, including figures and landscapes, historical legends, and historical stories; its artistic individuality is distinct, and it is rich in the connotations of maritime culture. Representative works include "Thatched Hut, Autumn Wind", "Dotting the Eyes", and "Fortune and Honor in Full Bloom". Xiangshan is an important producing area in the field of Chinese root art. With its long history and rich traditional cultural connotations, it provides precious material for studying the development of root carving in China. At the same time, it raises the incomes of both bamboo farmers and folk artisans, contributing to local economic, social, and cultural development. Representative repertoire, works and technical entries recorded for the project include: "Archival Record of Craft Steps": The production process of Xiangshan bamboo root carving is complex, comprising more than ten process steps such as material selection, conception, and carving.
Archival Record of Craft Steps
The production process of Xiangshan bamboo root carving is complex, comprising more than ten process steps such as material selection, conception, and carving.
Core Technique I
Xiangshan bamboo root carving is a traditional handicraft in which the roots of moso bamboo and their natural forms and grain are used, through artistic conception, to carve lively shapes of all kinds;
Core Technique II
it is transmitted mainly in Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and the surrounding areas.
Core Technique III
Working from the shape and grain of each bamboo root, folk artisans absorb and draw on the essence of such traditional Chinese arts as calligraphy and painting, sculpture, wood carving, and stone carving.
03 · Transmission & Safeguarding Status
In 2025, Zhang Dehe was announced in the sixth batch of national representative bearers for Zhugendiao, with Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang as the declared area. Within the documented safeguarding record of Zhugendiao in Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang: The project was inscribed in the national inventory in 2021 (batch 5), with Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang as its declared area, and Xiangshan Dehegenyi Art Museum as its safeguarding unit. Since the project was inscribed in the national inventory, its declared area and safeguarding unit have carried out documentation, transmission and presentation within the national safeguarding framework. Together, the inventory record and the project archive form the public documentary basis for the bearer’s transmission practice.
04 · Associated Heritage Item Dossier
Historical origin
Xiangshan bamboo root carving has a long history, and the earliest surviving work known today was made during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing dynasty.
05 · Fellow National Bearers Lineage
National representative bearers recorded under the same item code, ordered from the first to the sixth batch. Batch order is not a teacher–student relationship.
| Bearer | Declared area | Roster code | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhang Dehe | Ningboshixiangshan, Zhejiang | — | This page |
06 · Archival Sources & Bibliography
This static English edition is rendered at the edge for search engines, AI crawlers and readers without JavaScript. Compiled from official national representative bearer archival records and the associated project dossier, organized by topic and translated into English. 阅读中文版。