A sculpture of the Monkey King. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]
The game Black Myth: Wukong has significantly increased interest in Wenzhou's traditional boxwood carvings, especially the Monkey King sculptures. Created by master craftsman Ye Xiaopeng and his studio, these intricate pieces have become highly sought after by fans of the game.
Completed in April, the 26-centimeter-tall boxwood Monkey King sculpture is inspired by the classic tale Havoc in Heaven. Depicting Sun Wukong standing on a furnace with a powerful gaze, the sculpture quickly sold out due to its limited initial production of 40 units.
Ye Xiaopeng's team is now working overtime to produce more, enhancing the details of Wukong's face and attire in the process.
The livestream host at the Wenzhou Craft Master Studio noted that the resemblance of the wood carvings to the game's Wukong, combined with the delicate craftsmanship, has made them highly popular as decorative items. At peak times, daily sales reached as high as 40,000 yuan ($5,617.59), with current orders requiring a wait of seven to 15 days.
Additionally, Ye Xiaopeng's studio has sold out of 60 bronze Monkey King sculptures. In Yongjia's Wuniu subdistrict, Wenzhou Muzhu Wood Carving Co led by Ye Zhu has also benefited from the trend, producing over 4,000 Wukong wood carvings. One innovative car ornament even incorporates solar elements, making it both functional and eye-catching.
Ye Xiaopeng expressed his appreciation for the game's role in rekindling public interest in traditional Chinese culture, highlighting the endless potential of this cultural treasure trove. His studio plans to create more wood carvings of Chinese mythological figures as a way to deepen young people's understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.
