Huihui Tang Strings

Before the Ming Dynasty, all qin players made their own strings. Strings as readily available merchandise only became common after the Ming Dynasty. Huihui Tang is the earliest brand of qin strings in China. Its products are known as “bingxian (ice strings)”. The brand was launched in Hangzhou by Li Shiying’s family during the Wanli period (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty, and was in operation until Li Zizhen, the seventh generation, during the Qianlong period (1736-1795) of the Qing Dynasty. Thereafter, Huihui Tang Strings operated under different trade names.

During the period from the Tongzhi period (1862-1874) of the Qing Dynasty to the early years of the Republic of China, there were at least six known Huihui Tang brands at different times. They were Huihui Tang Strings produced by Li Bingren, Shen Yixian of the Xiecheng Hao shop, Lu Wenrong (native of Shaoxing) of the Quanhe shop, Zhang Detai of the Shenji Hao shop, Loubaolong, as well as Laosantai.