Keeping a precious legacy alive

"Yunjin brocade is not a craft, but an integration of the essence of Chinese brocade craftsmanship throughout history," Dai said.

Among the top four famous silk brocades in China (the others are shujin from Sichuan province, songjin from Suzhou in Jiangsu province, and zhuangjin from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region), yunjin has a history of more than 1,600 years.

It was used by the imperial family during the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

According to Dai, the traditional weaving process of yunjin still cannot be replaced by machines and is very complex, requiring multiple processes and advanced skills, including dyeing, thread cutting, and embroidery.

Meanwhile, the materials used in yunjin brocade are unique and valuable, such as mulberry silk, gold, and silver thread, resulting in an extremely high collecting value.