Peach kernel carving is a kind of micro-carving art developed on the basis of wood carving. It uses the appearance characteristics and ups and downs of peach kernels to carve out figures, animals, landscapes, pavilions, etc. The conception and carving of peach kernel carving have reached a very high level of craftsmanship and artistic realm, and is known as "micro-carving magic skills, artistic wonders". The art of kernel carving has a long history. There were relevant written records in the middle of the Song Dynasty, and it had reached a very high level in the Ming Dynasty. "Wood Carving" in the "Art Forest Collection" introduced: "Nut carving had reached a very high level in the Ming Dynasty. Officials and nobles competed to wear it and regarded it as a treasure." Peach kernel carving integrates carving and craftsmanship. It is finely made and has high craftsmanship value. Peach kernels are hard in texture, with ever-changing surface patterns, hollow in the middle, and many irregular holes in its cross section. Carving on it cannot be as arbitrary as wood carving, but must be cleverly borrowed from nature, combining the shape of the peach kernel with the conception of creation, which is a figurative sculpture art. It is precisely because of the exquisite and wonderful skills of peach kernel carving and the detailed and realistic depiction that the value of its works continues to rise. In the Ming Dynasty, peach kernel carvings were pendants that were hung on belts, fans or embroidered bags as decorations and ornaments, and could also be played with. Since the mid-Qing Dynasty, peach kernel carvings have become handicrafts that scholars or wealthy children play with, and various peach kernel carvings have been displayed on miniature antique shelves for people to appreciate. Today, peach kernel carvings have become handicrafts that have multiple functions such as collection, appreciation, and fitness. Hu Yinsong (born in 1950), a native of Gaoqiao Town, Tongxiang City, is the only arts and crafts artist in Jiaxing who is engaged in peach kernel carving. He began to study peach kernel carving techniques in 1970. Hu Yinsong's peach kernel carving inherits the folk crafts of traditional peach kernel carving and has made some innovations in art. He first selects the appropriate peach kernel according to the work to be carved. For example, if he wants to carve pots, baskets and other utensils, he chooses round kernels; if he wants to carve fish, he chooses flat kernels. Then he carves the outline of the blank according to the shape of the object to be carved. Taking the carving of basket as an example, first use a file to file half of the peach pit into a basket ring shape, and the other half into a semicircular basket. Then, roughly carve the blank, and use a carving knife to hollow out the inside of the peach pit to show the basket ring and basket. On the basis of the rough carving, the basket ring, basket body and basket bottom are finely carved. After the work is completed, the surface is polished with sandpaper, coated with yellow wax, and finally a small hole is made in the center and a red silk thread is threaded. It usually takes several hours to complete a work. Hu Yinsong's "Zodiac", "Teapot Series", "Peach Basket Series" and other peach carving works are deeply loved by the masses and praised by experts. He uses peach pits to carve the twelve zodiac signs, baskets, locks, pots, birds, beasts, Peking Opera masks, etc., which give people a beautiful enjoyment and have high aesthetic value. As a tourist product, it is very popular. Peach pit carving has been included in the second batch of Jiaxing City's intangible cultural heritage list. Information source: Jiaxing Library (no pictures yet, welcome to provide.) Information source: Jiaxing Library (no pictures yet, welcome to provide.)