Forging technique of Husa Dao of Achang Nationality

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: forging skills of Husa Dao of Achang Nationality

Applicant: Longchuan County, Yunnan Province

Item No.: 391

Project No.: VIII - 41

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Yunnan Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Longchuan County, Yunnan Province

Protection unit: Longchuan County Cultural Center

A brief introduction to the forging technique of Husa Dao of Achang Nationality:

Applicant: Longchuan County, Yunnan Province

The forging technique of Achang Husa Dao is popular in Husa Township in the northwest of Longchuan County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, mainly concentrated in six villages, namely, panle, huzao, Longguang, Xiangjie, mingshe and manbing.

Husa Dao is the crystallization of the wisdom of Achang people. Its ancestors mastered the essentials of forging and casting iron in the Tang Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, Husa became an "arsenal" when "three expeditions to Luchuan" (1441-1449). The Achang people absorbed the weapon manufacturing technology of the Han nationality and formed a unique forging process of Husa Dao. It became mature in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties and reached its peak in the Republic of China. The manufacturing process of Husa knife has to go through 10 processes, such as blanking, blank making, proofing, grinding, leaf decoration, quenching, polishing, handle making, belt making and assembly. The quenching technology is the most outstanding. Through heat treatment, the hardness and toughness of the blade can reach the best state. As the history says, "soft can be wound around the finger, blow can be broken, and hard can be cut.".

Hushadao has many kinds and functions. Now it has developed more than 120 kinds of production tools, daily utensils and decorative handicrafts. In addition to serving the surrounding ethnic groups and neighboring areas and exporting to Tibet and Qinghai, it is also exported to Southeast Asia, making a positive contribution to defending Xinjiang and strengthening the country and promoting the common economic and cultural development of all ethnic groups.

However, under the pressure of foreign culture and social and economic transformation, the traditional techniques and equipment of hushadao production are likely to be replaced by modern machinery and raw materials. In addition, the old artists are old and lack of successors. The technique of hushadao of Achang Nationality is in danger of being lost, which is in urgent need of rescue and protection.