Xiang Laosai: representative inheritor of the Achang Husa Sword Forging Technique

我叫项老赛，我是阿昌族。

My name is Xiang Laosai. I’m a member of the Achang ethic group.

我是阿昌族户撒刀锻制技艺国家级代表传承人。

I’m the representative inheritor of the Achang Husa Sword Forging Technique, a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

我们在云南陇山户撒乡地方生活的，

We live at Husa Township in Longshan, southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

我们户撒一个是海拔高，一个是自然环境好，空气好，

Husai is a place with high altitude, good natural environment and fresh air.

户撒的空气，自然环境，山啊这些，都是很漂亮的。

The air, natural environment and the mountains are all very beautiful.

我们阿昌族户撒刀全国来说是四大名刀之一。

The Achang Husa Sword is called “One of the Top 4 Most Famous Swords” in China.

我们刀是祖传的，这个历史是600多年的历史了，一代传一代传下来的。

The technique of forging swords, which has a history of over 600 years, has been inherited from one generation to the next.

代表我们阿昌族的文化。

It is a symbol of Achang culture.

我们阿昌族是少不了刀，

Sword is an indispensable part in us Achang people’s lives.

这个刀子我们阿昌族老老小小从出生以来到老，离不开这些刀，

No matter old or young, Achang people can’t live without the sword after they were born.

小孩出生了，他就必须要带着一把小铜刀，

When a baby is born, he must be equipped with a little copper knife.

他小铜刀捆在背腰带上，那个是永远都挂着。

The copper knife is tied on the back of the waistband and will be there forever.

长大了变了一个小伙子，那个时候就又配了小军刀。

When he grows up to be a young man, he then will be equipped with a little saber.

然后到成人了，成家了就是配一把长刀了。

When he becomes an adult and gets married, he will be equipped with a long sword.

小姑娘配的。谈恋爱谈好了，小伙子送给她的小军刀。

If a young man falls in love with a girl, he will give his little saber to the girl as a gift.

我小的时候，从小就是跟我父亲，

I began to learn it with my father when I was a child.

我先学拉风箱，学了两年，

At first, I learned how to use an air bellow for two years.

直到我十三四岁基本差不多那个时候，开始慢慢的敲打。

When I was 13 or 14 years old, I began to practice forging.

正宗的一把阿昌刀，要做出来还是要慢工细活。

Making an authentic Achang sword takes time and skills.

做出来，才耐用，手感也好，打的时候是千锤百炼。

It will be durable with a nice feel after severe hammering.

以前标准是磨白的，我们这边说是白刀（音），

The former standard sword has no patterns on it, which is called Baidao,

后面发明了在刀上刻龙刻凤。

Then patterns of dragons and phoenixes are carved on swords.

发明了以后人人都喜欢，现在就是刻龙刻凤，

People all like the kind of swords with dragon and phoenix patterns.

我一把普通刀来说还是带动了好几家农户，

Making an ordinary sword also bring benefits to several families

帮我做刀鞘的。做刀柄的，帮我做背带的。

who help me make scabbards, hilts and straps.

反正普通的一把刀起码是五六家组装的。

Anyway, an ordinary sword is assembled by at least five or six families.

做好了放在这个展厅里面，

The swords will be on display at the exhibition hall after being finished.

别人看到了，他喜欢然后买走了，买的多了。

If someone sees it and likes it, he will buy it. Many have been sold now.

我是不断的发明，不断的创新，各种各样的款式，

I constantly invented and innovated various types.

我们阿昌刀是很好的艺术品。

Our Achang Swords are very good works of art.

我的商标是注册了，它的名字就是我的名字。

I registered a trademark for my swords, that is named after myself.