Chip off the old block

He is the only printer who exclusively uses woodblocks. "Clans that opt for lead blocks to save money and ensure crisper lettering don't understand the value of the woodblock method," he says.

"Decent clans understand that these two ancient practices - woodblock printing and genealogy recording - go together."

Jia Zijian with Lifeweek magazine contributed to this story.

The traditional craft of woodblock printing is still used to make clan genealogies.