"Zuo Li" and the Mask of Nuo
According to Zhou Li: Xia Guan, "Fangxiangshi controls the bear skin, with golden eyes and a dark robe with red skirt, holding a spear and shield, leading a hundred slaves in charge of Nuo rites to purge evil and drive away epidemics."
"Nuo" Mask
When people are in trouble, the Nuo mask is worn.
Nuo masks originated in ancient times, evolving from primitive sacrificial activities, and have passed through various eras as a cultural artifact, surviving for thousands of years with unyielding vitality. Humans often used masks to transform themselves into various mythical beasts or deities, symbolizing reverence for natural forces or their imagined conquest over them. As Nuo rituals gained prominence, the act of wearing masks to expel evil spirits became even more powerful and mystical.
In August, during the harvest season, Nuo dance celebrations take place. In Zhouguan Village, Anshun, Guizhou, a village with unique Southwest Chinese characteristics, we visited this still-preserved corner of tradition. This village is a part of modern society yet remains untouched by industrial civilization. We were fortunate to visit, delving into the mysteries of Nuo. We excavated and uncovered the culture of Nuo, seeking more possibilities within this ancient tradition.
"Nuo Carving"
Carving the Soul of Nature
The art of carving begins with choosing the wood—fine, flexible, and resistant to deformation. The log is split, the bark removed, and dimensions measured. Then, carving begins. Unlike typical wood carving, Nuo masks are created directly without sketches, with wood serving as the "paper" and carving tools as "pens" to shape the spirit of the piece. For a Nuo carver, precision is guided by instinct.
Anshun Nuo masks are treasures of the Southwest, etched with art on faces. The craftsmen carve stories into these masks, with intricate details that show their dedication to the craft. These masks are the result of a lifetime’s devotion to a singular pursuit.
Qin Fazhong, one of the foremost artisans, began learning Nuo dancing and mask carving at the age of 14. As a young man, he traveled north, promoting the Nuo masks and meeting many like-minded individuals, including scholars who later supported his cultural research. Despite his travels, the village in the Southwest always pulled at his heartstrings. Faced with various doubts from the outside world, Qin began re-examining the skill he had learned since childhood, aiming to unite the scattered fragments of this culture and present the most complete story. Returning to his homeland, he began documenting oral histories from elderly villagers, recording and archiving their stories. He even funded the construction of a Nuo Mask Museum, which he opened to the public for free. This dedication has continued for decades.
I still recall the scene when I first met Mr. Qin. It was already 11 PM when I arrived, yet he greeted us with a broad smile. For the next three hours, he passionately spoke about Nuo culture, local opera, and the current state of intangible cultural heritage, never tiring. This is what happens when you grow to love something deeply—you become obsessed. We are happy to have met such a friend, deeply rooted in the soil of the people, nurturing the cultural roots. We decided to use sneaker reinterpretation as a medium to bring the ancient Nuo mask to life in modern fashion, dancing through the streets of today.
"Soul of Nuo"
Harnessing the Power of Nature to Converse with Heaven and Earth
Historically known as "the southern wilds," the Southwest was once an underdeveloped land, sparsely populated and home to many ethnic minorities, which shaped its unique cultural identity. This provided fertile ground for the development of the Nuo mask tradition. These distinctive masks bear the marks of ancestral reverence and imagination, embodying the awe of nature and the gods.
Carved into the legends, these masks are evidence of humanity’s desire to communicate with the heavens and revere nature. In the play of light and shadow, one can almost glimpse the deep eyes of ancient deities. The masks transform into guardians of inner peace, standing still at moments when quiet contemplation is needed. A wisp of smoke rises, as if aided by the divine, allowing a conversation with nature.
PandaPrank believes that the Nuo mask is not merely a theatrical symbol of the divine. It is a spiritual symbol for people, not to conceal, but to create, to hope, and to represent the ancestral prayers to the heavens. It is the soul of drama and the whispered voice of history. Through Nuo, we seek to find that sacred forest in a busy world, to resonate with the ancients and converse with nature.
Reinterpretation and Nuo Carving share many similarities: they both express reverence for nature through tangible forms, where hand and heart work in close harmony, finely crafted with precision, and imbued with spiritual meaning. Using sneakers as a medium and reinterpretation as the form, PandaPrank expresses a brand's respect for nature and craftsmanship, giving the shoes a deeper level of meaning.
Between black and red, the ancient soul hides beneath the mask. Expelling evil, seeking peace, handed down through generations, belief that burns without end. The traditional auspicious cloud pattern is fused with flame motifs, inlaid on the side of the shoe.
PandaPrank attempts to recreate the timeworn traces of Nuo masks that have survived for millennia, showcasing the soul they represent. Wooden accents and worn-out scuff marks on the soles simulate the effects of time, while waxed laces evoke the glossy paint layers of the Nuo masks, giving the sneakers a unique emotional resonance.
The base shoe is the Air Jordan 4, a symbol of Nike’s new era in sneaker design, with front and rear air cushions providing excellent cushioning and support. The rear section of the shoe features a support wing design, with red threads woven together. It combines rich legendary color, outstanding performance, and timeless design, demonstrating the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation and quality.
