Making Skills of Sheng Xifu Leather Cap

Making Skills of Sheng Xifu Leather Cap

Sheng Xifu leather hat making skills, Beijing Dongcheng District, the traditional handmade hat making skills, one of the national intangible cultural heritage.

Shengxifu leather cap production skills need to go through the whole process from matching, picking, blowing, brushing, flat leather, shaving, hand needle sewing to machine sewing, and finally complete a Shengxifu leather cap finished product.

On June 14, 2008, Sheng Xifu leather cap production technology was approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China and listed in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list, project number: _-113.

historical origin

Rise: Rejuvenate National Goods by Machinery Production

Shengjufu Hat Shop, the predecessor of Shengxifu, was founded in Tianjin in the first year of the Republic of China (1911). In 1911, Liu Xisan and his joint venture opened Shengjufu Hat Shop in Shiyi Street, Tianjin. After six years of painstaking operation, Shengxifu Hat Shop was established in the French Concession of Tianjin. "Sheng" takes the meaning of flourishing business, "Xin" and "Fu" from Liu Xisan's large size and nickname.

Liu Xisan is keenly aware that in order to make Sheng Xifu's hat superior to others, he must have advanced technology and equipment, so he spares no expense in introducing Western Hat-Making equipment. In 1919, Sheng Xifu purchased a complete set of straw hat machines from the West for 200,000 silver yuan, set up straw hat factories for self-production and self-sale, and soon opened up a market in Tianjin. A few years later, he sent his third apprentice to Japan to study, master the latest technology, and ensure that the production of four seasons hat has strict process and testing means. By the 1920s and 1930s, Shengxifu had entered its heyday, and its current scale of operation could only be expected.

From Tianjin to Beijing: Admitting Handicraft Skills of Family Workshops

After 1936, the production and processing of leather caps in Shengxifu, Beijing, mainly relied on family workshops. Family workshops operate on a small scale and accept customized and incoming processing work. Li Xinxuan ("Sheng Xifu" the second generation of inheritors) "Henglong Pixing" is one of them. He often works for "Sheng Xifu" and manufactures all kinds of high-grade leather caps by hand. Li Xinxuan's craftsmanship has been traced back to the origin of "Sheng Xifu" leather cap making skills. At that time, there must be many such family workshops, but the name of the family workshops is "Henglong Pixing".

After the founding of New China, "Sheng Xifu" went through the process of public-private joint venture. The "Sheng Xifu" Hat Factory was established at No. 19 Shao Jiuhutong, Wangfujing, which really realized the business model of "front store and back factory". Many of the first workers were absorbed from family workshops. Sheng Xifu of Beijing and Tianjin both use the trademark of "three hats". Beijing Shengxifu experienced the most difficult period in the early 1990s. Wangfujing Street was rebuilt and demolished. Workers left the factory to find a new way out. The hat industry also entered the lowest tide. People's dress fashion changed dramatically. Hats were no longer considered necessary to wear. During the most difficult period of the enterprise, only 18 workers remained in production. Until 1998, Shengxifu reorganized and opened its stores in Wangfujing. In 2000, it was transformed into Beijing Shengxifu Cap Industry Co., Ltd. and its development entered a new era.

Inheritance and Protection

Inheritance value

Shengxifu leather cap manufacturing process is complex, each process requires excellence, its material and fine workmanship is difficult to achieve. This manufacturing process is the technological achievement of Cap-Making masters of past dynasties through long-term accumulation of production experience. These handicraft processes have incomparable advantages in mechanical manufacturing. This technology is not only a simple mechanical work, but also a valuable handicraft technology and a precious historical heritage.

Sheng Xifu's hat making technology is the first in China. It combines the excellent technology of hat making in China and forms a unique production system. The quality of Sheng Xifu's hat is determined by strict process in its later period, so it has a fine appearance and better quality assurance. Sheng Xifu leather cap has become a top-quality product in China's hat industry, which has been affirmed by national leaders for many times. As a symbol of China's hat industry, Sheng Xifu presents to international friends. After entering the 21st century, Sheng Xifu has entered the international market and won people's attention in the international market. This is a big step for Chinese traditional craft to go abroad, and also enables Chinese traditional craft culture to get access to the international market. Certain recognition.

Heritage figures

Li Jinshan, male, was born on January 12, 1955. On May 26, 2009, Li Jinshan was selected as the representative successor of the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects and declared in Dongcheng District of Beijing. Project Name: Sheng Xifu leather cap making skills.

protective measures

In 2009, the State-level intangible cultural heritage Shengxifu Leather Cap Production Technology Inheritance Workshop was established. Through in-depth excavation of the history and culture of Chinese crown cap and Centennial hat making technology, Shengxifu history and culture, the material cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage will be integrated, and Shengxifu Leather Cap production technology will continue to be inherited.

In June 2010, Sheng Xifu China Hat Culture Museum opened. The purpose of the museum is to "trace back the history and civilization of Chinese hat, inherit the traditional hat making techniques and develop hat culture", protect cultural heritage, inherit Sheng Xifu's hat making techniques, and take a new road between tradition and modern times to reproduce the brilliance of Chinese traditional hat culture.

social influence

Important Exhibitions

From September 17 to September 21, 2018, the Commercial Committee of Dongcheng District of Beijing held the Exhibition of Old Brand Skills, in which Sheng Xifu's leather hat making skills were displayed.

Honorary recognition

In 1979, the three-hat hat hat manufactured by Shengxi Fukuo Hat Factory won the award of the Ministry of Light Industry and Tianjin Quality Products.

In 1983, Sheng Xifu leather cap was awarded Tianjin High Quality Product Award and the title of National Minority Goods High Quality Product.