Taohuawu New Year Posters

Taohuawu New Year prints are considered to be one of the finest examples of this old traditional custom. New Year prints have been hung from doors and windows for centuries capturing the wishes and beliefs of provinces throughout China. Taohuawu Street was once a thriving production centre for Taohuawhu New Year Prints in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Taohuawu New Year prints evolved from carving and printing arts which were popular during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Craftsmen saw the potential of turning painted pictures of door and gate gods put up during Chinese New year into bold and colourful carved prints.

It wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that Taohuawu New Year prints became well known throughout China. A small street within Suzhou specialized in the creation of New Year prints and soon hundreds of small workshops were in business around this area.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) craftsmen began assimilating Western designs and techniques with New Year prints. European copper plate printing techniques were dominantly used by Suzhou craftsmen. Images began to look more realistic and many more shades of colours were used. Production of New Year prints peaked in the Yongzheng (1723-1736) and Qianlong (1736-1796) periods of the Qing Dynasty with more than one million sold each year. The Prints were popular throughout China and were often exported to Japan and South-East Asia. Over fifty workshops existed on the streets of Taohuawu with thousands of artisans producing New Year prints. Gradually, Taohuawu New Year prints began to decline leaving the industry in hardship. The folk art was neglected for many years with craftsmen turning to other trades for survival.

After the formation of the People’s Republic of China (1949), Suzhou was given much needed support in restoring New Year prints. Over two hundred New Year draft drawings were printed and distributed to encourage and promote Suzhou traditional art. Unfortunately, many original woodblocks rotted during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) leaving barely any original designs from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 

Taohuawu New Year prints are well known for their storytelling. Many feature numerous images which depict either an historical event or local folktales. Other New Year prints feature pictures of gods, festivals, landscapes and opera dramas.

New Year prints are made from woodblock carvings and feature traditional watermark colours. Many feature beautiful women with distinct oval faces, pointed chins and almond shaped eyes. A sketch is first drawn and then traced onto the wood. The design is carefully carved into the woodblock. Each colour requires a separate carved block.

Sadly, the Taohuawu printing area in Suhzhou no longer exists. There are only ten professional craftsmen who specialize in New Year prints left within the area. As these artists are all over sixty, there is an immense need to recruit younger craftsmen to continue producing this vital traditional art.

Taohuawu New Year prints have a long traditional history which is on the edge of extinction. It is hoped that future generations will be able to enjoy the festive and joyous tradition of New Year prints.