Society
Shoemaker keeps tradition alive
By Qiu Yijiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-12 07:31
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At 79, Zhu Xiaofeng is way beyond the retirement age.
But the coming Year of the Tiger has kept her extremely busy and popular with young parents in her home of Gaoyou, Jiangsu province.
That is because Zhu specializes in making shoes with tiger-head designs for babies.
Making the cloth shoes in the shape of tiger heads for children under 2 years old remains a valued tradition in Zhu's community. Many believe that if children wear the tiger-headed shoes during Spring Festival, they will become as strong and courageous as the majestic felines when they grow up.
Although there are factory-made tiger-headed shoes sold in shops, locals prefer Zhu's handmade ones and she received orders for her shoes as early as June last year.
"Shoes from factories are a result of mass production and they lack the personal love and care given to handmade ones," said Cai Peiwen, a kindergarten teacher and a mother-to-be in her 20s from Yangzhou city in Jiangsu.
"But Zhu's works are different and much more adorable. Each pair she makes sports a unique facial expression, just like how each child has his or her own personality."
Cai earlier bought a pair of factory-made tiger-head shoes, but the moment she saw one of Zhu's creations, she went straight to Zhu's place and ordered four pairs for her unborn child.
"You've got to hurry because there is usually a long line for my shoes," Zhu said.
It usually takes Zhu one week to complete one pair of shoes because cloth shoes require delicate sewing and embroidery skills. Matching colors on the tiger's head to make the shoes more appealing is also very time consuming.
"My eyesight and hearing are not as good as before," Zhu shouted over the phone with a chuckle.
"Otherwise, I can be more efficient."
Zhu's daughter Ma Xiuzhen has been trying to persuade her mother to "take it easy" and enjoy her old age, but Zhu insists on making shoes for her neighbors before the eve of Spring Festival.
"My mother is very focused and serious when she is making the shoes," Ma said.
"We care about her health but it is also nice to see that she finds joy and fulfillment from these colorful little tigers."
Zhu learned the skills of making the tiger-head shoes from her mother when she was a girl. At that time, it was considered a virtue for women to have good sewing skills. She took to it immediately and has since practiced it as a hobby.
As a mother of seven children, Zhu made each of her children three tiger shoes when they were toddlers.
"Now they are all healthy and filial," Zhu said.
She could not remember how many shoes she has made in the past decades, but she still recognizes every person who has worn them.
"Some of them still come to thank me for the luck and love I've given to them with the shoes," Zhu said.
She made shoes for free before 1993 but as her fame spread, she charged only 50 yuan, the cost of the materials for making the shoes.
"Money can't buy everything," Zhu said.
"I'm glad I can still make these shoes because they look so good on children."
Ma and her siblings once tried to help their mother in making the shoes, but they soon gave up.
"It is too complicated and difficult for us," Ma said.
"It takes a bit of talent and a peaceful state of mind, which is especially demanding for us busy urbanites nowadays."
Cai agreed.
"When I was little, I also wore tiger-head shoes. It was all hand-made then and I know how warm and comfortable they can be," Cai said.
"However, it's not easy to find handmade shoes these days as everything is usually factory made," she said.
"Zhu knows, loves and keeps the tradition alive that's what make her handmade shoes so special."
The expecting mother said she will keep the four shoes for her child even after he or she grows up, just as how her mother kept hers.
"They will be part of his or her childhood memory," she said.
