The Master's Angst

　　He is the last traditional bow-and-arrow maker, the official guardian of this esteemed aspect of China's rich history. But like other purveyors of intangible cultural heritage, Yang Fuxi is burdened by the future.

　　The 49-year-old Yang is one of many masters designated to pass on China's living heritage, in accordance with a UNESCO convention. But the honor, announced by the Ministry of Culture today, may become a double-edged sword for craftsmen like Yang who fear there is nobody to follow in their footsteps.

　　At his Ju Yuan Hao studio in Beijing, Yang patiently teaches his ancient craftsman's skills to three apprentices, including his teenage son. Yet Yang, Ju Yuan Hao's 10th generation owner, is not confident of finding a successor.

　　Most vexing is the question of how to best prepare these young people for the lifetime of devotion that is required. "The procedure to master bow-making can be plainly dull. They are still too young to resist the temptations of the modern society," Yang says. "And they belong to a generation who cannot undertake the hardship and toils as we did."

　　Making a bow and arrow by hand is a lengthy process, involving some 200 steps.

　　Yang, tall and quite muscular from his manual work, is keenly aware of his family legacy. His Manchu ancestors brought the art of bow-and-arrows to Beijing, after seizing power in the middle 17th century.

　　Yang grew up watching as both his father and grandfather worked tirelessly, filling orders for these ancient weapons as they flooded in from Qinghai and border area. By his teens, Yang's ambition to carry on this noble line of handicraft was rooted in his heart.