Straw-plaited artworks made by Lyu Jinliu, a straw plaiter in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Jinhua Daily]
Lyu Jinliu, a straw plaiter in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, has made a series of straw-plaited sepak takraw balls in celebration of the upcoming Asian Games, reviving traditional skills and shedding new light on the unique craft.
Lyu said that a ball is made of 14 five-meter rattan wipes and is durable so that the ball can be both appreciated as an artwork and played with. He also expressed hope that people will learn more about the straw plaiting technique and Asian Games through the balls.
Lyu learned the skill from his grandfather and parents when he was a child and has been engaged in the handicraft for more than 40 years. He established a studio at Jingyuan Garden in Wuyi county in 2015, where his artworks including baskets and various animals are displayed.
Lyu has also taught students how to make straw-plaited artworks and hopes the traditional technique can be passed down from generation to generation.
As a co-host of the upcoming Asian Games, Jinhua will host the soccer and sepak takraw competitions.
