Honglu culture epitomizes essence of craftsmanship

The honglu (red furnace) forging technique in Weifang city, Shandong province, boasts a history of over 400 years. At the honglu culture museum in the city's Kuiwen district, various exhibits highlight the artisans' craftsmanship and innovative spirit.

The honglu culture museum is located in the Dongshangyu community of Guangwen subdistrict, Kuiwen. [Photo by Li Chenfei and Guo Yunhan for chinadaily.com.cn]

Honglu forging is typically categorized into large and small furnaces. Large furnaces are used to craft tools such as hoes and shovels, while small furnaces produce everyday items like nails and buckles. Artisans use tongs to heat iron in the honglu, with assistants operating bellows to achieve the required temperature. The heated iron is then shaped through hammering and forging, followed by cold hammering for a smooth finish. After heating and quenching, the final product is completed.

A craftsman at the honglu culture museum forges ironwork. [Photo by Li Chenfei and Guo Yunhan for chinadaily.com.cn]

The masters at the honglu culture museum epitomize the values of excellence, hard work, and perseverance. The innovative techniques and cultural richness of honglu forging mirror the unwavering cultural pride and artisan spirit of Weifang. (Edited by Du Xiaping)