The 4 famous Chinese embroidery styles are the Su embroidery of Jiangsu Province, the Xiang embroidery of Hunan Province, the Yue embroidery of Guangdong Province and the Shu embroidery of Sichuan Province.    I have covered Hunan silk embroidery in my earlier posts…  Today we will discuss the rich Shu (or Chuan) embroidery of Sichuan.   Sichuan is located in west China, is known as the “Land of Abundance”, not only rich in rice and also famous for its sericiculture.    Shu Embroidery made an early entry into the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list

It has enjoyed high reputation as “a treasure of Sichuan” ever since the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD).  The craft of Shu embroidery reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and this resulted in flourishing of embroidery workshops in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

What is the speciality of Shu embroidery?  These patterns are renowned for its superb workmanship, smooth and bright in quality. It has strong expression and artistic effect. The features of it are said as “fine and smooth needlework, simple and elegant colors, graceful and easy lines and the traditional Chinese paintings’ style “. Its needling characteristics lie in “the even stitches, bright threads, closeness and softness in texture, and both centrifugal and centripetal needling”. The embroidery takes locally-produced colorful satin and threads as its materials.   Just take a look at one of the typical patterns along with post and you would see the above characteristics fall in place..

The unique designs on Shu embroidery include flowers, birds, landscapes, fish, worms and human figures. Its products include pillowcases, embroidered slippers, mirror curtain, lace, wedding dress, scroll, hats and shoes, skirts, quilt facing, etc.

What does Shu denote?   There is an underlying theme that runs in this style – auspicious happiness – and you would notice that this would be seen in all of its embroideries!

How does one practise Shu? – Shu embroidery is done on the soft satin fabric from Sichuan province. It engages brightly colored threads, evenly stitched to produce a delicate picture or pattern.  Shu embroidery is particularly characterized by the closeness of its stitching, which allows Shu embroiderers to highlight miniscule details in the subjects they produce.  A Shu embroidered piece may include hundreds of thousands of stitches in a single figure or animal, and may take many days or even weeks to complete.  One of the most popular subjects for Shu embroiderers is the panda bear, but scenes of nature of any kind are common.

Recently an intangible cultural heritage expo has opened in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan province. Exhibits from around the country are being shown at the expo, which has grown considerably in scale and offers more interactive activities and on-the-spot demonstrations.   The displays prompt many to capture the scene with their cameras. The distinctly regional features being displayed set each of provincial booths apart. On the spot demonstrations are available, such as engraving a pair of scissors, to show the complicated craftsmanship involved.

Chen Xiaoya, artist, said, “The Shu Embroidery employs over a hundred ways of stitching, thirty of which are in regular use. Young people, who are often restless, are reluctant to take on the craft.”

So all my Chinese and Eastern lovers – all the best while you practise this ancient art of embroidery!

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