Workshops breathe life into traditional crafts

Burning passion

Unlike Duan, Lu Yinkai has been enamored with traditional Chinese culture since a young age and now dreams of sharing with the world the details of Chinese incense culture, a centuries-old art that has almost vanished.

The 25-year-old moved to London for his master's degree in 2022 and set up his studio, named Timelessmoon, last year.

Chinese incense culture dates back more than 4,000 years, when fragrant herbs were first burned, primarily during rituals to worship ancestors, Lu says.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), culturally one of the most brilliant eras in Chinese history, the use of incense reached its peak as the upper classes regarded incense as an elegant pursuit, and ancient scholars, poets, and artists of that period burned it while composing poetry, playing the guqin (a traditional Chinese plucked-string zither), appreciating flowers, and hosting guests, Lu explains.

However, during the later Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when Chinese people faced internal troubles and external aggression, the culture inevitably faced preservation challenges. Fast-forward to today, Chinese incense does not hold a prominent position internationally, Lu adds.

He has been apprenticing under experts who have long studied Chinese incense, delving into ancient texts, and learning about the tools, materials, and methods involved in using incense.

His studio regularly organizes workshops where participants can learn to appreciate the timeless tradition while experiencing Chinese incense or making incense sachets.

Although their specialties differ, the two young Chinese artisans share similar views on spreading Chinese culture overseas. They both express a desire for their events to serve as a space that transcends borders, where people of all nationalities, races, genders, and ages can freely share.

"There are always commonalities between cultures because we are all human beings," says Lu.

Duan adds: "We are merely bridges, the important part is the people on both sides of the bridge."