Folk tales

It's not easy to make an inventory of all his collections, because he's still buying antique pieces, some of which are in the storehouse to be repaired. Lei Ming is familiar with the legends and folk stories about the carved patterns on wooden doors and introduces them to guests when he meets them in the corridors.

"I find pleasure in what I'm doing now, such as repairing an antique piece and decorating the courtyard," he says.

When speaking about an ancient window in the house, he says it showcases the "eight immortals" in Chinese mythology, "mounting the clouds and riding the mist".

Each room is decorated with such treasures. His favorite exhibition hall displays about 400 Nuo masks of various expressions, amiable or ferocious, which are mainly from some time during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

He has been influenced by local folk art and customs since his childhood, especially Nuo Opera, which is an intangible cultural heritage. It is a popular folk art form that aims to "drive away devils and diseases, and pray for blessings".

The Nuo folk religion used to be popular in many parts of the country. Performers would wear a Nuo mask to play a figure from Chinese mythology who was worshiped by locals.

"These masks also showcase the culture of the ancient farming society in China, telling various folk stories. One mask looks like a foreign face, indicating China's communication with other countries then," he says.

"While the Nuo masks from Hunan are in primitive style, often with a sad expression, those from Sichuan have exaggerated expressions, with exquisite details."