Tangtou Ancient Town

　　    Tangtou, an ancient town on the banks of the Zi River in southwestern Hunan, is home to lush stands of nanmu bamboo, crystal-clear spring streams from karst caves, and a simple, hospitable local culture—all of which nurtured a treasured gem of Chinese folk art: Tangtou New Year paintings.

　　    Tangtou New Year paintings are the only handmade woodblock water-printed New Year paintings in Hunan Province. From the late Ming and early Qing dynasties to the early Republican period, Tangtou New Year paintings gradually developed their own distinctive artistic style: bright and glossy colors, bold, exaggerated, full, and individualized design methods, along with authentic local materials and unique craftsmanship, giving the works a relief-like artistic effect. The production of a single Tangtou New Year painting involves over twenty processes, including the selection of raw materials for handmade paper, papermaking, base coating, plate carving, seven rounds of printing, and seven rounds of hand-painting. It is extremely rare among New Year painting productions nationwide that both handmade papermaking and the final product are completed in one location.

　　    Tangtou New Year paintings are divided into three main categories: deities, auspicious symbols, and opera stories. Whether depicting door gods, folk tales, or blessings of good fortune, the small paintings vividly bring these themes to life. Classics such as "The Mouse’s Wedding," "General Qin Shubao and General Yuchi Gong," and "Harmony Brings Good Fortune" nearly all carry touching stories. The more than forty surviving varieties serve as important carriers of historical testimony and cultural heritage.