The Zhai

THE ZHAI（“宅兹”）

"ZHAI" is the pinyin for the Chinese character “宅,” meaning residence or dwelling. The phrase "to dwell in China" (“宅兹中国”) originates from an inscription on the He Zun, a national treasure-level bronze vessel from the Western Zhou Dynasty unearthed in Henan Province. This inscription represents the earliest known appearance of the characters for “China.” From a simple yearning for a peaceful and prosperous life to building a rich material and spiritual world centered around the concept of "home," the Chinese people have never ceased their exploration of the essence of life. This has given rise to a profound, diverse, and richly expressive system of Eastern aesthetics in daily living.

Prologue: From the Misty Rain of Gusu to the Global Stage

Nestled among the winding moats and white-walled houses of ancient Suzhou, the story of THE ZHAI begins with reverence for millennium-old intangible cultural heritage (ICH) crafts. This city, birthplace to legendary techniques like Song brocade, Suzhou embroidery, and bamboo carving, has been celebrated for its "Heavenly Creation of Earthly Goods" philosophy since the Spring and Autumn Period.

The 雕花窗棂 (carved lattice windows) of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the interplay of bamboo and stone in the Lingering Garden, and the silk threads and bamboo strips in the hands of old artisans on Pingjiang Road—all are cultural codes tempered by time. In the shifting light of Suzhou’s classical gardens, the brand’s founder envisioned a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and modern life, founding THE ZHAI in 2010 to introduce ICH techniques to the world as "touchable art."

  • Ornamental Wooden Window Lattice

    雕花窗棂

  • Bamboo and Rock in Harmonious Contrast

    竹石相映

  • Silk Thread and Bamboo Strips

    丝线竹篾

Translating Millennium-old Techniques for Today—Living Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The soul of THE ZHAI is rooted in intangible cultural heritage such asSuzhou embroidery(one of China’s four famous embroideries),Song brocade(a millennium-old weaving technique),plant dyeingtraditions, andbamboo weaving. Behind each craft lies generations of artisans’ pursuit of perfection:

Translating Millennium-old Techniques for Today—Living Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Suzhou Embroidery & Song Brocade: Oriental Poetics on a NeedlepointSuzhou craftswomen, with skill to "split silk as fine as hair, wield the needle like a brush," embroider plants from theBook of Songsand butterfly shadows from gardens onto silk. TheHandmade Suzhou Embroidery Silk Orchid & Butterfly Car Diffuseruses double-sided color-changing embroidery to make orchids shimmer in light, while theSong Brocade Silk Hulu Pendant(hulu meaning "good fortune" in Chinese) weaves auspicious philosophy into its brocade fabric.

Plant Dyeing: Nature’s Color Code

Extracted from natural plants like madder, sappan wood, and indigo, the pigments undergo nine steps—soaking, boiling, mordanting, sun-drying—to create the soft hues of thePlant Dyed Silk Hulu PendantandChinese Garden Style Double-sided Plant Dyed Silk Table Mat. This biodegradable technique aligns with modern eco-values, as seen in theEco-friendly Reusable Kitchen Cleaning Cloth, replacing chemical fibers with plant-dyed cotton to let millennium-old dyeing serve contemporary life.

Bamboo Craftsmanship: The Oriental Spirit in Bamboo Joints

Mao bamboo from the Taihu Lake region transforms into objects like theHandmade Bamboo Tea TrayandHandmade Bamboo Cricket Cage. After steaming, drying, and splitting, the bamboo is shaped using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery (no nails), forming the intricate structure of theHandmade Rotating Multifunctional Cabinet. Each bamboo grain embodies the Jiangnan literati philosophy: "Better to eat without meat than live without bamboo."

New Arrivals

"At THE ZHAI, we are committed to bringing China's thousand-year-old culture and exquisite craftsmanship to every corner of the world. We proudly preserve and pass on the intangible cultural heritage of China, telling stories of ancient charm through each unique piece of home décor. Every item is carefully crafted by artisans, embodying the wisdom and dedication of generations, while blending luxury, elegance, and artistry. Our philosophy is not just about providing high-quality home products, but sharing a lifestyle with the world. We believe that true luxury is not about ostentation, but the pursuit of a beautiful life and attention to detail. Each piece from THE ZHAI represents our respect for traditional craftsmanship, our understanding of modern design, and our boundless aspirations for the future."
Yi Borghi
Yi Borghi
THE ZHAI CEO

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