Carving a story of skill

"Dad can automatically place nonstandard manuscripts straight on the woodblocks before carving, like it was done in the old days," she explains.

"That's something we can't do now, since every step has been standardized."

Chen Meiqi initially worked as a jade sculptor before her father persuaded her to instead carve woodblocks as the number of practitioners of this ancient printing method dwindled.

"My father had 20 students before 2005, but only one continued his training," she recalls.

"I could feel he desperately wished I could carry on this legacy."

Chen Meiqi started with Song-type characters.