Guo Taiyun demonstrates his skills in making woodblock prints in a museum in Kaifeng, Henan province. [Photo/China Daily]

But Guo says he sees himself as an ordinary craftsman, who cares more about the fate of the craft rather than the honors it fetches him.

Guo started working for the research and protection center for woodblock-printed New Year pictures in a local Kaifeng museum, where he carried on with the old tradition of "master mentoring apprentices" to pass on the skills to young people.

Cai Ruiyong, one of his three apprentices at the museum, says: "He is very strict with us and pays attention to every detail of the process when he teaches us the techniques.

"He spares no efforts to pass down what he learned about the craft in his lifetime."

The apprentices, including Cai, have studied the arts in college and are enthusiastic about Kaifeng woodblock printing.

In recent years, Guo has participated in many cultural events around China with his apprentices to promote the craft.

"I am proud to be the oldest warrior fighting the battle to protect it from disappearing," Guo says, adding that except for scholars, these days few care about the prints or how they are made.

"As an inheritor I feel it is my mission to help society revive the craft."