Reviving rustic rhythm

The modification buoyed the enthusiasm of many beginners, and Liu nicknamed the invention "toad board". It obtained a national design patent, and was mass-produced and sold at Shandong culture and art center grand theater and Jinan cultural and tourism bureau's online platform, among others.

To draw more children toward the folk performance, Liu made bold design improvements to the clapper board. The colors and themes included national blue-and-white porcelain, military camouflage and cartoon characters. These earned praise from enthusiasts of traditional culture as well.

With his teaching patterns being recognized by more schools, Liu is focusing on bringing his apprentices to a bigger stage. "What I have learned from my master is not just the skills of clapper talk, but also the virtue of being a dedicated mentor and a good person," he says.

Liu volunteered to teach more than 1,600 students. Now, he is passing down the art to more people through lectures and TV programs, and on social media platforms such as WeChat and Douyin. He interprets virtue through actions, uses integrity and kindness as the themes of his works, and composes a chapter of "the most beautiful youth in the new era".