The Craftsmanship of the Jiangxi Fiddle as Intangible Cultural Heritage

This study examines the craftsmanship of the Jiangxi fiddle within the framework of intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing the synthesis of traditional skills and contemporary challenges. Focusing on three distinct cities in Jiangxi province—Jiujiang, Shangrao, and Ganzhou—the study explores how these regional hubs adapt their fiddle-making practices to reflect both ancient traditions and modern influences. The researchers adopted a multitheoretical approach, integrating artistic expressionism, acoustic physics, philosophical balance, and naturalism, to present a comprehensive analysis of how each philosophy influences the fiddle’s production and perpetuation. Fieldwork involving interviews with local craftsmen provided insights into the dynamic interplay between cultural heritage and innovative practices that shape the regional variations in fiddle craftsmanship. The findings highlight the importance of preserving traditional techniques while incorporating new methods to ensure the sustainability of this cultural practice. Recommendations for future research and policy are proposed to enhance the transmission and evolution of fiddle-making skills, contributing to the broader discourse on the preservation of musical crafts in the face of globalization. This study not only fills a significant gap in English-language scholarship on regional Chinese musical instrument craftsmanship but also offers a model for examining similar cultural phenomena globally.