A'ang Jiancuo, 46, is one of the inheritors of the De'ang Sazhi style of Tibetan calligraphy, which originated from the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Golog in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The unique art form was enlisted into the national intangible cultural heritage of China in 2011.

Jiancuo has studied the calligraphy by himself since the age of 12. He started to follow Bazhi, the seventh-generation heir of the technique, when he was 27.

De'ang Sazhi Tibetan calligraphy is in high demand, but the fact that craftsmen must make their own writing implements, paper and ink discourages many from taking up the art form.

Currently, Jiancuo is teaching De'ang Sazhi Tibetan calligraphy to 152 students who come from many areas of China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Sichuan Province. "Protecting this craft is my lifelong dream and I will teach anyone who wants to learn it," he said.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Aang Jiancuo practices De'ang Sazhi Tibetan calligraphy

DEVOTED TEACHER: Aang Jiancuo (left), inheritor of the De'ang Sazhi Tibetan calligraphy, teaches at a classroom in De'ang Temple in Dari County of Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Golog, northwest China's Qinghai Province, on February 15

A TEACHER AND HIS STUDENTS: Aang Jiancuo poses for a photo with his students at De'ang Temple

ONE-ON-ONE: Aang Jiancuo teaches De'ang Sazhi Tibetan calligraphy to his student

(Photos by Wu Gang)