Wicker basket: The disappearing folk craftsmanship in Shanxi

Liu Daolin cuts and collects wickers in the hills in his village. [Photo/chinapic.people.com.cn]

Wicker basket is regarded as an important instrument in Yu county, North China's Shanxi province. Nowadays making wicker basket has become a disappearing folk craftsmanship.

Lao Liu, 64, is a craftsman who makes wicker baskets in Xing village of Yu county. He started to learn this craft at the age of 22 with his father. More than 40 years' practices makes him an honored one in his hometown. What makes him sad is that he is the last one to handle this craft in the village.