Woodcarving is a folk calligraphy carving art that uses a carving knife to carve the flat calligraphy ink created with a brush or rice paper into a three-dimensional shape on wooden materials. It may have originated from the carving of inscriptions in the Song Dynasty. The carving of inscriptions in the Song Dynasty and the carving of characters on materials such as bamboo and wood developed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties can be regarded as early book carving. The wood used for woodcarving in Tongxiang is mainly red wood and ginkgo wood. The tools include flat knives, round knives, oblique knives, and medium steel knives. The auxiliary tools mainly include hammers, axes, saws, and wood files. The process is as follows: first select the subject of the book carving, which is generally the works of famous calligraphers of all dynasties or the works of famous modern calligraphers; then enlarge or reduce the selected calligraphy works and copy them on the wood board; then carve one by one according to the calligraphy characters, including intaglio, salient, yin and yang carving, etc.; finally, fill the carved characters with color according to the needs. The production cycle of woodcarving book carving varies, and it takes about a week. The representative figure of Tongxiang woodcarving book carving is Hua Yunqi (born in 1950), a native of Wuzhen, Tongxiang. In 1978, he learned wood carving from Dongyang woodcarving master Jin Lu, and later switched to calligraphy and engraving, which has a history of more than 30 years. In the practice of wood carving and book engraving, Hua Yunqi mastered relief, round carving, openwork and other carving techniques. His works and artistic profiles were included in the "Collection of Masterpieces of Chinese (National) Arts and Crafts Masters" and "Collection of Masterpieces of the First West Lake Art Expo". Zhejiang Museum, Mao Dun's former residence, Feng Zikai Cartoon Museum, Fuyan Zen Temple, Juehai Temple, Shen Zengzhi's former residence, etc. all have couplets, plaques, calligraphy screens, wall hangings and other works carved by him. Hua Yunqi is the only arts and crafts artist engaged in wood carving and book engraving in Tongxiang and even Jiaxing. In order to pass on this folk art, it is urgent to cultivate new wood carving and book engraving talents. Wood carving and book engraving have been included in the second batch of Jiaxing City's intangible cultural heritage list. Information source: Jiaxing Library Information source: Jiaxing Library