Step into the shade of a centuries-old camphor tree in Fenshuiling Town, Sichuan, where Bi Liufu crafts oil-paper umbrellas—a skill passed down through six generations. 🌳 ‘Our ancestors called us *artisans*—people who make things by hand,’ he says, smoothing bamboo stalks aged 3-5 years. Each umbrella demands precision: sun-dried bamboo, month-long soaking to deter pests, and paper pressed with unwavering care.
But tradition meets modern grit. Bi’s son, Bi Yuanshen, faced doubts when he chose the craft over a corporate job after college. His father challenged him: ‘Make an umbrella alone.’ For 15 days, Bi Yuanshen labored, learning that ‘an umbrella is like a person—it needs determination, patience, and perseverance.’ The result? A flawed but heartfelt symbol of resilience.
‘We don’t care about fame,’ Bi Yuanshen insists. ‘We care about keeping this art alive.’ From TikTok tutorials to workshops, the Bi family blends ancient techniques with Gen-Z hustle, proving that even raindrops can carry a legacy. 💧✨
