Tongren Block Printing Technique
Tongren block printing technique originated in the Yuan Dynasty. As early as the end of the 13th century, a lama named Sandan Renqin developed Tibetan block printing. Tongren County in the southeast of Qinghai Province still preserves the traditional Tongren block printing technique. The handicraft of block printing in Zhuolong Village and Guoma Village in Nianduhu Township in the form of traditional family workshops has been passed down to this day. Tongren block printing technique is mainly used to print scriptures, books, painting patterns (Longda, human-animal harmony pictures, Bagua pictures, various Buddha statues), etc. The themes are mainly worshiping mountain gods, heaven, earth, farming, festival customs, in order to pray for good weather, good harvests, wealth, good luck and other spiritual life pursuits. It is a microcosm of the local farming social life and folk life as well as Tibetan Buddhist culture. It is the carrier and transmitter of Tibetan traditional culture and exquisite handicrafts. It has important reference value for studying the civilization process of Tibetan history, religion, culture, science and technology and Tibetan anthropology. (No pictures available, please provide them.) (No pictures available, please provide them.)