As fingertips gently touch the warm and smooth leather, traditional Chinese craftsmanship shines with a new radiance. LICC host Scarlett and Dewi, an Indonesian international student at Northeastern University, guided by Zhang Wenge, a post-90s inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage (ICH), visited the Fang’s Leather Suitcase Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. They experienced the magical charm of the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage—Fang’s leather suitcase carving technique.
Originating from the late 19th century, this traditional craft requires 108 purely manual steps: softening leather, tracing the design, transferring the pattern, carving, hammering, shaping, dyeing... Each step embodies the skill honed over decades by the artisans. Trying it for the first time, Dewi was so nervous that her hands trembled, and Scarlett’s carved lines were slightly crooked. But through repeated practice, both gradually found their rhythm and slowly began to understand the true spirit of craftsmanship.
There are no shortcuts for the 108 steps. Cutting calls for rhythm, hammering demands force, and carving requires precision. Each step is infused with the artisan’s passion and devotion to the craft. “All 108 steps are completed entirely by hand. The raised leather-carved patterns on the surface always convey auspicious meanings. The process is complex, and a single piece can take up to three months to complete. It can truly be called ‘limited-edition high-end customization’,” said Zhang Wenge.
What surprised Dewi even more was that this ancient craft had long broken free from traditional confines. The clever integration of traditional techniques with contemporary design has transformed this ICH into “trendy items” loved by young people. Earphone cases, China-chic chain bags, embossed suitcases, and more. Zhang Wenge’s innovative gradient dyeing techniques further endow these pieces with both artistic and stylish appeal. When Dewi completed her unique carved leather earphone case, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s amazing that a craft with over a century of history can be this cool!”
The 108 crafting steps are not mere complexity, but a pursuit of perfection. A leather suitcase is more than a container—it is a carrier of Chinese craftsmanship. Today, ICH is stepping out of museums and into daily life—touchable and shareable. The fusion between ancient techniques and young aesthetics not only ignites new vitality but also conveys the rich charm and unique appeal of Chinese culture to the world.
