Jiange Walking Cane
Jiange walking cane is also called Jian Zhang, well-known as the 'Ming Zhang' in ancient time. Usually craftsmen take hard woods and rattan in Jianmen mountain shrub as the raw materials, and then process the walking canes according to the natural shape of the materials. With its fine and smooth texture, hardness, and natural but unique shape, the Jiange walking cane has become the local speciality. After chinese liberation, the manufacture of the product was developed into certain scale, and the walking cane has been exhibited both at home and abroad, exported to Southeast Asia, Europe and other foreign countries.
According to the different materials and shapes, Jiange walking cane can be divided into four categories, one is the Natural Cane, which keeps the natural shape of its raw material. The second is Imitating Natural Cane, which is made into bamboo shape or bird shape, very lively. The third is called the Carved Cane. It is shaped by machines firstly, then is hand-carved with flowers, animals, water plants, etc. The last one is the Mixed Wood(Zamu) Natural Stick wich is made from the mixed hardwoods. Its raw material shoule be taken with the root, during the pocession, craftmen will make the Y-shaped root as the handle of the cane, and then carve vivid birds or flowers on it.
Jiange walking cane has a long history. It is said that during the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu Han,led his army pass Jianmenguan. But due to the rugged mountain road and the heavy rain, it was difficult for soldiers going on their way. Then Zhuge Liang asked them to cut some woods and rattan sticks as walking canes, which made their trip easier. From then on, merchants who passed the Jianmenguan, would also make the walking cane like Zhugeliang's army. They call it as 'Ming Zhang'. In recent years,after the continuously improvment and creation, the walking cane become more elegant,more natrual with animals or plants carved on it. It is more a tourists souvenir rather than a walking assistance.