Oiled paper umbrellas preserve vintage fashion

Zheng Yinghai makes the wooden part of an umbrella, Nov 22, 2015. [Photo by Xue Dan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Oiled paper umbrellas have long been a symbol of beauty and romance. Although nowadays replaced by modern ones in daily lives, some people still preserve the craftsmanship and skills to make the traditional implement.

Zheng Yinghai, a 90-year-old man from Xingyang village, Gudong township in Tengchong, Southwest China's Yunnan province, has been making oiled paper umbrellas since he was 12.

"I can't remember how many I've made in my life," Zheng said. "I've been doing this for my whole life".

Zheng learned the skills from his father and he has passed them on to his two sons.

The oiled paper umbrella in Xingyang village has a history of more than 300 years. As it was replaced by modern ones, many villagers quit the job. Now there are only five elderly craftsmen making them in the village.

To protect and inherit local intangible culture, 16 young people have been trained in the skills of creating oiled paper umbrellas.

"I hope this ancient craft will be passed on from generation to generation," Zheng said.