Keeping a precious legacy alive

Three replicas of yunjin (brocade) dragon robes worn by emperors from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) were showcased at the MGM hotel Shanghai. The craftsman Dai Jian introduced the techniques of making yunjin, the silk fabric reserved exclusively for imperial use in ancient China.

Yun, means clouds and jin means brocade. The fabric has an iridescent sheen owing to its unique weaving technique and refined raw material. The techniques were passed down from generation to generation within the family of select artisans.

In 2009, the craftsmanship of Nanjing yunjin brocade was included on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

Dai is one of the inheritors of the intangible cultural heritage.