On a clear winter day,it’s once again the season for the people of Huangshan Town in Luo Zhuang District to dry willow branches.

Along the field ridges,bundles of willow branches embrace the radiant sunshine.In this land,gently touched by the passage of time,the willow branches shine with a warm,nostalgic glow.With a simple yet resilient stance,they quietly tell stories of the past and the future.

The willow species,Salix matsudana,has been cultivated by the people of Huangshan for generations.It is harvested around July and December each year.Farmers wield their sickles and skillfully cut the willow branches,which have weathered two seasons of wind and rain.Each branch carries the deep affection of the land and the changing seasons.

Drying the willow branches is a task that appears simple but is full of ritual.Once properly dried,the willow branches become like stories that have been polished by time.Each one carries the marks of the years and the wisdom of life.The branches,dried to perfection,transform into exquisite works of art at the hands of skilled craftsmen.

A0.05yuan willow sapling,carefully planted,yields about1kilogram of willow branches,which are sold at3.5yuan per kilogram.After peeling and drying,the branches are sold for15yuan per kilogram in the market.Craftsmen turn this1kilogram of willow into picnic baskets,which,after adding various accessories,are exported for50USD(approximately361RMB).From sapling to finished product,the sweat and wisdom of the people of Huangshan have resulted in a7,220-fold increase in the value of the willow,ensuring the livelihood of thousands of families.

From baskets to picnic baskets,from light fixtures to decorative items,each creation embodies the craftsman's dedication and emotion.They weave not only objects but also love and attachment to this land,as well as a sense of nostalgia and tradition for the past.

Nostalgia is an indescribable feeling,hidden in every detail of the willow branches,woven into each thread of the wickerwork.

In today’s fast-paced world,working with willow products may no longer be the mainstream way of life,but the nostalgia and memories they carry,like an ever-present landscape,remain etched in our hearts.Every glance back is a spiritual cleansing,allowing us to find a moment of peace and belonging amidst the clamor of the world.

（by zhuanghuixi zhuchunfeng wangqinglong）