Asian Journal of Traditional and Innovative Arts and Textiles

Inheritance and Innovation: Exploring Novel Dyeing Materials Based on Shunde Xiangyunsha's Traditional Craftsmanship

2025-08-15T12:58:53+07:00

This study centers on inheritance and innovation Shunde Xiangyunsha's traditional craftsmanship, aiming to explore novel dyeing materials to address the increasing scarcity of its core raw material, Dioscorea cirrhosa (Shǔ Liáng). This qualitative research, conducted from March to June 2025, used a systematic approach to collect and analyze Xiangyunsha’s craftsmanship and its connection to Shunde's geographical and cultural ecology. The primary tools were interviews and field observations at the Fuxing Guoni Field, where empirical data for new material application was gathered. The study's target groups included 2 Xiangyunsha inheritors, 3 practitioners, 3 textile professionals, and 15 Lunjiao community residents, totaling 23 individuals. We first elucidate Xiangyunsha's rich historical legacy as a national intangible cultural heritage and its unique "harmony between nature and humanity" ecological wisdom, detailing its complex manual dyeing principles, combining Shǔ Liáng plant dyeing with the "guo-wu" (blackening) process using iron-rich river mud, specifically highlighting the complexation reaction between tannins and iron ions. To overcome raw material bottlenecks and promote Xiangyunsha's sustainable development, this research deeply analyzed the traditional dyeing mechanisms and conducted innovative experiments at the Fuxing Guoni Field. We selected pomegranate peels, this tannin-rich plant, as an alternative dye; its extraction methods, immersion dyeing procedures, and the critical river mud "guo-wu" process were explored and validated. Results indicate that Xiangyunsha's traditional dyeing heavily relies on environmental factors and the iron ion content in the river mud. Furthermore, after multiple immersions and river mud treatments, pomegranate peels initially demonstrated the potential to complex with river mud iron ions, confirming the feasibility of novel plant dyeing materials in broadening Xiangyunsha's raw material sources. The Conclusion and Discussion section emphasizes that this exploration not only contributes to preserving Xiangyunsha's unique techniques but also achieves innovation by introducing readily available alternative materials, with future research focusing on quantitatively comparing the dyeing effects, colorfastness, and durability of these new materials, along with optimizing process parameters, to promote Xiangyunsha's contemporary innovation and market application while retaining its cultural essence.

A Comparison of the Differences among Knife Blacksmiths for Development

2025-06-13T07:22:35+07:00

This article is a qualitative research study with the following objectives 1) To examine the occupational conditions of blacksmiths. 2) To compare the differences among blacksmiths and the factors influencing their development. The key informants were three blacksmiths, selected purposively. Data were collected through fieldwork using structured interviews and non-participant observation. The data were analyzed by content analysis and presented through analytical description. The findings showed that the works of each type of blacksmith followed product design principles but varied in some aspects, depending on patterns of use and customer preferences. In terms of local wisdom, traditional blacksmiths developed product forms and materials less than craft blacksmiths and industrial blacksmiths, resulting in a lack of new customers. The invention of working tools by craft blacksmiths made their products distinctive. The application of technology and systematic functional structures by industrial blacksmiths had positive effects on product quality and business development. Both craft and industrial blacksmiths used social media to promote sales, which helped attract new customers and created shared experiences that enhanced the perceived value of blacksmithing knowledge. The success of blacksmithing as a profession can also serve as an example for communities and inspire younger generations to continue and preserve this traditional knowledge.

Identity and beliefs in the murals of Wat Noen Sung Khlong Narai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chanthaburi Province

2025-10-07T16:12:53+07:00

This study investigates the identity and belief systems depicted in the mural paintings of the ordination hall at Wat Noen Sung, Khlong Narai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chanthaburi Province. The research aims were: 1) to examine the unique local identity presented in Chanthaburi’s mural paintings, and 2) to explore how these paintings reflect local beliefs, traditions, and rituals. Data were collected through in-depth visual analysis of the murals, supported by participatory observation alongside local scholars, and systematically recorded using structured data forms. The analysis employed a tripartite participatory process involving the researcher, community experts, and historians, resulting in a comprehensive database for further study. The findings reveal that the murals of Wat Noen Sung express local identity in four key dimensions: narrative content, artistic styles and techniques, symbolic representation, and the portrayal of beliefs and folk wisdom. Furthermore, these murals reflect aspects of community life and culture in three areas: traditional clothing, social conditions, and local beliefs and customs. Collectively, the murals provide insight into the community’s worldview regarding nature, environment, daily life, and cultural heritage in the historical context of the area surrounding Wat Noen Sung.

Contemplating the Universe through Isan Mural Paintings (Hoop Tam)

2025-10-15T13:03:23+07:00

The academic article " Contemplating the Universe through Isan Mural Paintings (Hoop Tam)" aims to study the multiple universes in science and the five maxims in Buddhism and to analyze the Hoop Tam paintings on the walls of Isaan Sim by collecting information from documents, publications, online media, field data, surveys, non-participant observation, interviews, note-taking, photography, and data analysis & synthesis. In theory, multiple universes (the universe) are believed to exist; the study results found that the scientists have led to the hypothesis that there are many other universes, a parallel universe (Parallel World) with our universe that is hidden but that we cannot perceive through the latest technology or use ordinary physics theories. It aligns with the Buddhist concept that there are life systems of other living beings besides our world. It can be seen only by those with supernatural powers. The idea that the five maxims influence the universe in Buddhism are hell, the origin of beasts, the realm or realm of Preta, human beings, and angels from the analysis of Hoop tam paintings on the walls of Isaan Sim with the concept of the five mottos from Hoop tam in the Sim Wat Sanuanwaree Phatthanaram, Wat Pa Lelai, and Wat Na Phra That, it was found that the Hoop tam in the said sim had all five beliefs, and images of the origin of beasts and humans were the most common and were placed in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the sim wall. Images of hell and Preta, the paint, are arranged in the lower part of the wall, while the images of angels are placed in the upper part and distributed among essential sections in the central part of the wall. It is, therefore, like a universe, consistent with the Buddhist concept of Isan architecture that emphasizes symbols of the universe. Consequently, the universe in Hoop Tam is a parallel universe (Parallel World) of Hoop Tam in another sim because of the same motto in creating sims.

Identity and Artistic in Buriram Province

2025-10-07T15:45:16+07:00

บทความนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์ในศึกษาข้อมูลอัตลักษณ์และงานศิลปกรรมในบุรีรัมย์ จากการรวบรวมประเด็นทางด้านอัตลักษณ์ของจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์ต่าง ๆ พบว่า อัตลักษณ์ทางศิลปกรรมของจังหวัดบุรีรัมย์มิได้สะท้อนเพียงมิติด้านรูปแบบหรือกายภาพเท่านั้น หากยังแฝงไว้ด้วยจิตวิญญาณของกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ที่หลากหลาย ได้แก่ ไทยเขมร ไทยลาว ไทยโคราช และไทยกูย โดยมีหินทรายจากเทือกเขาพนมดงรักเป็นวัตถุดิบสำคัญที่สร้างโบราณสถานขอมโบราณซึ่งต่อมาได้กลายเป็นรากฐานของอัตลักษณ์ท้องถิ่น การค้นพบประติมากรรมโกลเด้นบอย รูปแบบศิลปะประโคนชัย ยังเปลี่ยนกระบวนทัศน์ทางประวัติศาสตร์ขอม ที่แสดงให้เห็นว่าบุรีรัมย์อาจเป็นศูนย์กลางของอารยธรรมในภูมิภาค อัตลักษณ์ศิลปกรรมบุรีรัมย์จึงเป็นระบบนิเวศทางวัฒนธรรมที่เชื่อมโยงระหว่างธรรมชาติ มนุษย์ และความเชื่ออย่างลึกซึ้ง จากวิถีการดำเนินชีวิต ศิลปวัฒนธรรม โบราณสถาน งานหัตถกรรมในอดีตจนถึงปัจจุบัน และการสร้างสรรค์ผลงานศิลปกรรมร่วมสมัยที่นำเอาอัตลักษณ์ของบุรีรัมย์มาสร้างสรรค์ผลงาน มีรูปแบบการสื่อสารที่เชื่อมโยงเพื่อนำเสนออัตลักษณ์ทางศิลปะของบุรีรัมย์ ซึ่งอัตลักษณ์เหล่านี้ยังได้รับการหล่อหลอมมาจากความหลากหลายของกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ซึ่งมีมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมเฉพาะกลุ่มโดยใช้สัญญะแห่งรูปและนามที่แฝงอยู่ผ่านผลงานศิลปะ หัตถกรรม พิธีกรรม ความเชื่อ ภาษาพูดและวิถีการดำเนินชีวิตประจำวัน ซี่งภูมิปัญญาเหล่านี้เป็นรากฐานและต้นทุนสำคัญที่ก่อให้เกิดการต่อยอดการสร้างสรรค์ศิลปกรรมร่วมสมัยที่เป็นภาพแทนจากอดีตให้สอดคล้องกับปัจจุบันได้