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Chinese Shubi
Manufacture of Shubi
The manufacture of combs and fined-toothed combs is a complex and exquisite
folk craft. Materials must be of the best quality, and the manufacturing process
is also very complicated. The main materials for making combs are bamboo, wood
and animal bones. The bamboo material is mainly selected from Yinshan grown,
high-quality bamboo in South Jiangsu and West Zhejiang. Bamboo from these places
is not only rigid and flexible but also durable. The wood material is mainly
selected from such rare woods as rosewood, jujube wood, heath and boxwood. The
comb and fined-toothed combs are made of boxwood and have fine wood character
and clear grain, and also have functions of relieving headaches and itching, so
they are particularly rare and welcomed. From preparing materials to the end
product, a piece of wood comb needs 28 processes, and a single piece of
fine-toothed comb needs 72 and a half processes. The delicate processes such as
carving, drawing, scalding, engraving and grinding can only be finished by
traditional manufacturing methods.
Special Status
Since ancient Chinese times, Chinese people have used combs and fine-toothed
combs to maintain their health since doctors believed combing ones hair each day
is an important need in traditional medicine.
According to " Qi Ju Zhu," every morning Empress Dowager Cixi in the Qing
Dynasty spent a long time combing her hair, which helped it stay beautiful even
in her 60s.
Combs and fine-toothed combs are also of high artistic value. Women often
insert fine combs or fine-toothed combs in the hair buns.
Moreover, combs and fine-toothed combs are special in folk customs.
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