Lu Ban secret animal model non-genetic inheritor Feng Lejun and his wood toys

Feng Lejun's wife (left) is the first audience of his work, and his family's support always encourages him.

All parts of "Lion 17".

The balcony was transformed into a studio by Feng Leyi, and he often “was not thinking about it” here.

The lion, cock and buffalo toy designed and produced by Feng Lejun.

Our reporter Chen Hao / Tu Hu Kefei / text

Feng Lejun, 87 years old, was a professor at Renmin University of China before his retirement. When you walk into Feng Lejun’s home, it’s hard not to be attracted to his baby. In the glass cabinets, a variety of "wood animals" are displayed. From a distance, it is thought to be wood carvings. It is only recently that these wood animals are actually inserted into the structure. Feng Lejun is the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Lu Ban’s animal model. Although it is only a non-genetic inheritor in Beijing, Feng Lejun is proud enough because the design and production of these wooden toys are done by him. These are all from a whim at the age of 72.

Feng Lejun grew up in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. He said that he is not stranger. When Feng Lejun was very young, the school had an awkward teaching course. Feng Leyi clearly remembers that in his sixth grade primary school, the manual class teacher instructed him to make an alum lion toy made of bamboo pieces. The toys were first displayed in the school and later sent to the city for participation. After a few decades have passed, the pride that once was still in my heart.

Feng Lejun’s children are not around. After retirement, his life with his wife is a bit lonely. Once, Feng Lejun recalled the aunt lion of his childhood. He decided to "resurrect" the lion in memory. So, with his memory, he made the first 榫卯 toy - "Xiong No. 1". Although the lion's head and the blink of the "Lion 1" model can be clearly seen, the appearance is not beautiful and not refined. Feng Lejun decided to make his enamel toy look more refined, so he began to study the technique of darkness and finally mastered the traditional skill of "Luban dark animal shape". From "Xiong No. 1" to "Lion 17", Feng Lejun's all efforts were incorporated in the middle. The balcony of less than 5 square meters was transformed into a studio, grinding machine, drilling and milling machine, jigsaw and disc. The saw is all-inclusive, although the balcony is always made of wood chips, but Feng Lejun’s wife is always laughing, she said: "I support him to do this, I am his first audience." Get support from his wife. Feng Lejun is even out of control, and the pipa toys are no longer limited to lions. Cows, pigs, rabbits, and even curved snakes have been made by him.

In order to make the animal toys made by myself more realistic, Feng Lejun even went back to the countryside of his hometown and took his own work to consult the farmers. The fellow gave advice to his buffalo works and told him that the back of the buffalo's neck is not flat, but that there is a "small bone", and there should be two depressions on the back of the spine. Feng Le suddenly realized that he had made a change when he returned home. He believed that the toy bears the dual functions of entertainment and education. He hopes that the children will have the opportunity to learn from this traditional skill and let them learn from the process of playing. Today, Feng Lejun’s two apprentices go to Beijing No. 7 Middle School for lectures every week, and the children there gradually become fond of Chinese traditional culture through Luban’s toys.

In 2011, Luban secret animal model applied for the intangible cultural heritage of Changping District, Beijing, and Feng Lejun was named as the representative inheritor of the Luban dark animal model of Changping District Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the recent Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and Traditional Handicraft Design Competition, Feng Lejun took his Luban secret and became the oldest contestant.

Feng Leyi is very happy, not only enriches his own retirement life, but more, he inherits a unique cultural skill of the Chinese and becomes a participant in the protection of cultural heritage.