the exquisite craftmanship of leather shoemaker gu guoping gains recognition as an addition to ningbo’s intangible cultural heritage list. -k8凯发官网

in a workshop down ningbo’s tianjing alley, shoemaker gu guoping is knocking thin nails into a cowhide sole. despite the array of callouses, his hands are as flexible as when he was young. gu learned how to make shoes from his father at age 14 and has been engaged in this work for more than 45 years. his dedication with needle and thread stich a line from his youth into his 60s.
recently, the leather shoe craftsmanship – to which gu has committed his entire life – has been listed in the new batch of ningbo’s municipal-level intangible cultural heritage. gu takes great pride in the listing, for it pledges more official efforts to preserve and support the traditional skill.

by zhang peijian 
video: zhang peijian, pan wenjie (intern)
translator: pan wenjie (intern)
editor: pang jinyan
senior editor: li xiuqin
editorial director: zhao peng
chief editor: zhang weifang